0701-B1
Asrujit Debnath & Sas. Biswas 1
Biodiversity is the vast diversification of flora and fauna in the biological world. Landscape elements have been found to be very useful to generate scientific basis and understanding for further biodiversity characterization. Remote sensing and GIS have proven to be very effective tools to analyze landscape level elements to characterize biodiversity. Spatial analysis provides very useful insights to characterize landscape at meso and micro level studies. The area of present investigation was selected from a most environmentally and eco-sensitive sites of Doon valley in Indian himalaya. The main objectives of the study are i. to study the biodiversity characterization with reference to phytodiversity, ii. to study the floristic composition, iii. to carry out the landscape level inventorization using remotely sensed data with ground truthing, iv. to study the various influencing factors having a role in the loss of biodiversity., and v. to plan the strategic development of the region considering the various aspects. Material and methods covered landscape level characterization using satellite imageries, biotic factors of the region, reconnaissance survey and collection of primary data and analysis for consolidation of activities carried out. Forest type dominated by species of Shorea robusta forest was found with crown density ranging between 40% to 80%. Studies revealed various factors influencing the biodiversity of the such as agricultural field, settlements, invasion of weeds, grazing, road networks, heavy erosion and pilgrimage.
Biodiversity is the vast diversification of flora and fauna in the biological world. Its relationship to the different environment factors represent the very basis of the human existence as sustainable management of natural resources has become a key issue for survival of the human's abode.
The most appropriate method to measure the biodiversity would be to assess the ecological sustainability by way of understanding the ecosystem or landscape complexities and their uniqueness. Landscape elements have been found to be very useful to generate scientific basis and understanding for further biodiversity characterization. Remote sensing and GIS have proven to be very effective tools to analyze landscape level elements to characterize biodiversity. Spatial analysis provides very useful insights to characterize landscape at meso and micro level studies. In the process of ecosystem management and preserving the biodiversity of forest ecosystem characterization and inventorization of habitat and species are of immense potential.
Scientific characterization provides knowledge about quantity and quality of cover, the physical settings and impacts of human interventions. Quality of habitat is generally reflected in the status of vegetational cover and seasonal variation. Remote sensing data helps to study land cover, vegetation types, physiography and human interventions at fine to coarse spatial scales. Although they can be measured on landscape level but interpretation will be more effective through remotely sensed data with verification from careful ground truthing.
The area of present investigation was selected from a most environmentally and ecosensitive sites of Doon valley inTons river watershed area, restricted between Jhajra to Tapkeshwar Temple area in Uttranchal himalaya of India. The study area is drained by 7 rivers ( rao) or different khalas. They are all tributaries of Tons. They are as follows-Suarna nadi, Darer nadi, bamirao, Ghulaita nadi, Nimi nadi, Tons nadi., nun nadi. These khalas or raos are all seasonal. The steeper gradient of the streams coming from the pre tertiary is suddenly lost while entering the piedmont plain. The piedmont plain consists of unconditional material so the undercutting and laterial cutting by the river is frequent. Following objectives were targeted:
These were undertaken in phased manner under demarcated area of investigation with emphasis on cartographic details, landscape level characterization using satellite imageries, topography, geology, climate, meterological data, biotic factors of the region, reconnaissance survey and collection of primary data, consultation of institution engaged in remote sensing database retrieval and management, conforming the ground truthing and analysis of data for consolidation of activities carried out. Forest type is dominated by species of Shorea robusta in all quality classes of timber with satisfactory regeneration. Majority of the forest have crown density ranging between 40% to 80%. Preliminary field work was carried out with the help of ancillary and primary data and authentic Survey of India toposheets, no. 53 F/15 and 53 J/3 were used.
53 F/15 |
53 J/3 |
53 J/7 |
53 F/16 |
53 J/4 |
53 J/8 |
53 G/13 |
53 K/1 |
53 K/5 |
Management and working plan of the area and status of forest as per State forest report of current years namely 1995, 1997, 1999 of Forest Survey of India were consulted. Satellite imageries obtained from Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS along with toposheets were used for support and demarcating different ground features. A map was developed depicting elements of ground truthing.
Particulars |
Geocoded standard FCC of the SOI toposheet number 53 F/15 & 53 J/3 |
Satellite |
IRS - 1D ( Geo coded) |
Sensor |
LISS III |
Scale |
1:50,000 |
Bands |
2 (b), 3 (g), 4 (r) |
Resolutions Spatial |
23.5 _ |
Path row |
096/050 |
Date |
11.4.2000 |
For the purpose of present studies primary field data on forest types, species composition and stand height were considered and accordingly a reconnaissance survey of the whole area was carried out. Phyto sociological analysis (finding out of frequency, Density and IVI- important value index) of the data gathered from the quadrate study were made. After having the reconnaissance visit a base map wass prepared from the relevant toposheets and the satellite imageries. This was done by the visual interpretation of IRS -1D images. Visual interpretation was done with the help of different identification keys e.g. Tone, Texture, Pattern, Size, Location, Association, Aspect and Resolution.
Different land types were given a specific numeric code to identify in the map. Forest density classes were given alphabetic codes .to identify in the base map.
The area under investigation was found Shorea robusta (Sal) dominated, a tree typical of this part of tropical valley. Terminalia tomentosa, Lagerstroemia parvifolia, Mallotus phillipensis and Bombax ceiba were visible among the trees. Natural regeneration of sal was found to be excellent. Numerous sal seedlings between the height of 5 to 15 cm. were observed. Mallotus phillipensis seedlings of the height between 9 to 25 cm. were also seen, but surprisingly none of them had reached the stage of trees. Among the shrubby undergrowth Clerodendrum viscosum, Pueraria tuberosa, Leea aspera, Desmodium,species, Flemingia chapper were with high IVI rates. Among the herb species of Oplismenus, Ageratum, Arisaema, Curculigo, Phyllanthus, Globba, Elephantopus scaber and Seigesbeckia showed high frequency rates. Studies revealed various factors influencing the biodiversity of the such as agricultural field, settlements, invasion of weeds, grazing, road networks, heavy erosion and pilgrimage.
Anonymous (1968): Toposheets 53 F /15, 53 J/3. Survey of India, Dehradun.
Dev Bahera, M.(1999): Remote sensing and environment. Employment news : 26 th June - 2nd July 1999.
Gupta, B.N. and Biswas Sas (1997) : Biodiversity characterization at land scape level using satellite remote sensing. Paper presented in a workshop, " Biodiversity characterizatio using remote sensing " project of National Remote sensing agency, Hyderabad, sponsored by department of space and biotechnology, Govt. Of India organized by NRSA atHyderabad, India.
1 Indian Institute of Forest Management
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Email: [email protected]
Forest Research Institute
Dehra Dun - 248006, Uttaranchal, India .
Email: [email protected] & [email protected]