scholarly journals Habitat monitoring and conservation prioritization of Western Hoolock Gibbon in upper Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuladip Sarma ◽  
Malabika Kakati Saikia ◽  
Bidyut Sarania ◽  
Himolin Basumatary ◽  
Siddhartha Sankar Baruah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Conservation Prioritization ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Brahmaputra Valley ◽  
Dense Forest ◽  
Open Forest

AbstractThe present study aimed at predicting the potential habitat of Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) in the upper Brahmaputra River Valley, Assam, India, and identifying priority conservation areas for the species, taking canopy cover into account. We used the maximum entropy algorithm for the prediction of the potential habitat of the gibbon using its current distribution with 19 environmental parameters as primary predictors. Spatio-temporal analyses of the habitat were carried out using satellite-based remote sensing and GIS techniques for two decades (1998–2018) along with Terra Modis Vegetation Continuous Field product to examine land use land cover (LULC), habitat fragmentation, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and tree cover percentage of the study area. To identify the conservation priority area, we applied a cost-effective decision-making analysis using systematic conservation prioritization in R programming. The model predicted an area of 6025 km2 under high potential habitat, a major part of which was found to overlap with dense forest (80%), followed by moderately open forest (74%) and open forest (66%). The LULC change matrix showed a reduction of forest area in the predicted high potential habitat during the study period, while agricultural class showed an increasing trend. The fragmentation analysis indicated that the number of patches and patch density increased from 2008 to 2018 in the ‘very dense’ and ‘dense’ canopy regions of the gibbon habitat. Based on the conservation priority analysis, a 640 km2 area has been proposed to conserve a minimum of 10% of gibbon habitat. The current analysis revealed that in the upper Brahmaputra Valley most areas under dense forest and dense canopy have remained intact over the last two decades, at least within the high potential habitat zone of gibbons independent of the degree of area change in forest, agriculture and plantation.

scholarly journals Do Gibbons Live in Dense Forest? A Case Study from Upper Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuladip Sarma ◽  
Malabika Kakati Saikia ◽  
Bidyut Sarania ◽  
Himolin Basumatary ◽  
Siddhartha Sankar Baruah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Brahmaputra Valley ◽  
Dense Forest ◽  
Open Forest

Abstract The present study aimed at predicting the potential habitat of Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) in the upper Brahmaputra river valley, Assam and to identify the conservation priority areas for systematic conservation of the species taking canopy cover into account. We used the maximum entropy algorithm for the prediction of the potential habitat of Gibbons using its current distribution with 19 environmental parameters as primary predictors. Spatio-temporal analyses of the habitat were carried out using satellite-based remote sensing and GIS techniques for two decades (1998–2018) along with Terra Modis Vegetation Continuous Field product to examine the land use land cover (LULC), habitat fragmentation, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and tree cover percentage of the study area. To identify the conservation priority area, we applied a cost-effective decision-making analysis using systematic conservation prioritization in R programming. The model predicted an area of 6025.1 km2 under high potential habitat, and a major part of it was found to overlap with the dense forest (80.04%) followed by moderately open forest (73.90%) and open forest (65.82%). The LULC change matrix showed deduction of forest areas in the predicted high potential habitat during the study period, while agricultural class showed an increasing trend. The fragmentation analysis indicated that the number of patches and patch density increased from 2008 to 2018 in the ‘very dense’ and ‘dense’ canopy regions of the gibbon habitat. Based on the conservation priority analysis, 640 km2 area has been proposed to conserve a minimum 10% of the gibbons’ habitat. The current analysis revealed that in Upper Brahmaputra Valley most of the areas under dense forest and dense canopy have remained intact over the last two decades, at least within the high potential habitat of gibbons independent of the degree of area change in forest, agriculture and plantation.

scholarly journals Effects of Windthrows on Forest Cover, Tree Growth and Soil Characteristics in Drought-Prone Pine Plantations

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 817
Author(s):  
Jesús Julio Camarero ◽  
Michele Colangelo ◽  
Antonio Gazol ◽  
Manuel Pizarro ◽  
Cristina Valeriano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Pinus Halepensis ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Mediterranean Forests ◽  
Soil Microbial Community Structure ◽  
Soil Features ◽  
Disturbance Intensity

Windstorms are forest disturbances which generate canopy gaps. However, their effects on Mediterranean forests are understudied. To fill that research gap, changes in tree, cover, growth and soil features in Pinus halepensis and Pinus sylvestris plantations affected by windthrows were quantified. In each plantation, trees and soils in closed-canopy stands and gaps created by the windthrow were sampled. Changes in tree cover and radial growth were assessed by using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and dendrochronology, respectively. Soil features including texture, nutrients concentration and soil microbial community structure were also analyzed. Windthrows reduced tree cover and enhanced growth, particularly in the P. halepensis site, which was probably more severely impacted. Soil characteristics were also more altered by the windthrow in this site: the clay percentage increased in gaps, whereas K and Mg concentrations decreased. The biomass of Gram positive bacteria and actinomycetes increased in gaps, but the biomass of Gram negative bacteria and fungi decreased. Soil gaps became less fertile and dominated by bacteria after the windthrow in the P. halepensis site. We emphasize the relevance of considering post-disturbance time recovery and disturbance intensity to assess forest resilience within a multi-scale approach.

scholarly journals A Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Vegetation Greening and Precipitation Changes for Monitoring Vegetation Dynamics in Climate Zones over Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Vincent Nzabarinda ◽  
Anming Bao ◽  
Wenqiang Xu ◽  
Solange Uwamahoro ◽  
Madeleine Udahogora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Plant Health ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
Precipitation Changes

Vegetation is vital, and its greening depends on access to water. Thus, precipitation has a considerable influence on the health and condition of vegetation and its amount and timing depend on the climatic zone. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor the state of vegetation according to the movements of precipitation in climatic zones. Although a lot of research has been conducted, most of it has not paid much attention to climatic zones in the study of plant health and precipitation. Thus, this paper aims to study the plant health in five African climatic zones. The linear regression model, the persistence index (PI), and the Pearson correlation coefficients were applied for the third generation Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI3g), with Climate Hazard Group infrared precipitation and Climate Change Initiative Land Cover for 34 years (1982 to 2015). This involves identifying plants in danger of extinction or in dramatic decline and the relationship between vegetation and rainfall by climate zone. The forest type classified as tree cover, broadleaved, deciduous, closed to open (>15%) has been degraded to 74% of its initial total area. The results also revealed that, during the study period, the vegetation of the tropical, polar, and warm temperate zones showed a higher rate of strong improvement. Although arid and boreal zones show a low rate of strong improvement, they are those that experience a low percentage of strong degradation. The continental vegetation is drastically decreasing, especially forests, and in areas with low vegetation, compared to more vegetated areas, there is more emphasis on the conservation of existing plants. The variability in precipitation is excessively hard to tolerate for more types of vegetation.

scholarly journals Lower Noise Annoyance Associated with GIS-Derived Greenspace: Pathways through Perceived Greenspace and Residential Noise

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel M. Dzhambov ◽  
Iana Markevych ◽  
Boris Tilov ◽  
Zlatoslav Arabadzhiev ◽  
Drozdstoj Stoyanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Noise Sources ◽  
Noise Abatement ◽  
Noise Annoyance ◽  
Lower Noise

Growing amounts of evidence support an association between self-reported greenspace near the home and lower noise annoyance; however, objectively defined greenspace has rarely been considered. In the present study, we tested the association between objective measures of greenspace and noise annoyance, with a focus on underpinning pathways through noise level and perceived greenspace. We sampled 720 students aged 18 to 35 years from the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Objective greenspace was defined by several Geographic Information System (GIS)-derived metrics: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), tree cover density, percentage of green space in circular buffers of 100, 300 and 500 m, and the Euclidean distance to the nearest structured green space. Perceived greenspace was defined by the mean of responses to five items asking about its quantity, accessibility, visibility, usage, and quality. We assessed noise annoyance due to transportation and other neighborhood noise sources and daytime noise level (Lday) at the residence. Tests of the parallel mediation models showed that higher NDVI and percentage of green space in all buffers were associated with lower noise annoyance, whereas for higher tree cover this association was observed only in the 100 m buffer zone. In addition, the effects of NDVI and percentage of green space were mediated by higher perceived greenspace and lower Lday. In the case of tree cover, only perceived greenspace was a mediator. Our findings suggest that the potential for greenspace to reduce noise annoyance extends beyond noise abatement. Applying a combination of GIS-derived and perceptual measures should enable researchers to better tap individuals’ experience of residential greenspace and noise.

scholarly journals A multi-biome study of tree cover detection using the Forest Cover Index

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Becker ◽  
Megan Maloney ◽  
Andrew Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Ancillary Data ◽  
Land Covers ◽  
Sentinel 2

Tree cover maps derived from satellite and aerial imagery directly support civil and military operations. However, distinguishing tree cover from other vegetative land covers is an analytical challenge. While the commonly used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) can identify vegetative cover, it does not consistently distinguish between tree and low-stature vegetation. The Forest Cover Index (FCI) algorithm was developed to take the multiplicative product of the red and near infrared bands and apply a threshold to separate tree cover from non-tree cover in multispectral imagery (MSI). Previous testing focused on one study site using 2-m resolution commercial MSI from WorldView-2 and 30-m resolution imagery from Landsat-7. New testing in this work used 3-m imagery from PlanetScope and 10-m imagery from Sentinel-2 in imagery in sites across 12 biomes in South and Central America and North Korea. Overall accuracy ranged between 23% and 97% for Sentinel-2 imagery and between 51% and 98% for PlanetScope imagery. Future research will focus on automating the identification of the threshold that separates tree from other land covers, exploring use of the output for machine learning applications, and incorporating ancillary data such as digital surface models and existing tree cover maps.

scholarly journals Global Forest Types Based on Climatic and Vegetation Data

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 634
Author(s):  
Chen Xu ◽  
Xianliang Zhang ◽  
Rocío Hernandez-Clemente ◽  
Wei Lu ◽  
Rubén D. Manzanedo
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Type Distribution ◽  
Forest Attributes ◽  
Descriptive Names

Forest types are generally identified using vegetation or land-use types. However, vegetation classifications less frequently consider the actual forest attributes within each type. To address this in an objective way across different regions and to link forest attributes with their climate, we aimed to improve the distribution of forest types to be more realistic and useful for biodiversity preservation, forest management, and ecological and forestry research. The forest types were classified using an unsupervised cluster analysis method by combining climate variables with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data. Unforested regions were masked out to constrict our study to forest type distributions, using a 20% tree cover threshold. Descriptive names were given to the defined forest types based on annual temperature, precipitation, and NDVI values. Forest types had distinct climate and vegetation characteristics. Regions with similar NDVI values, but with different climate characteristics, which would be merged in previous classifications, could be clearly distinguished. However, small-range forest types, such as montane forests, were challenging to differentiate. At macroscale, the resulting forest types are largely consistent with land-cover types or vegetation types defined in previous studies. However, considering both potential and current vegetation data allowed us to create a more realistic type distribution that differentiates actual vegetation types and thus can be more informative for forest managers, conservationists, and forest ecologists. The newly generated forest type distribution is freely available to download and use for non-commercial purposes as a GeoTIFF file via doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.19197.90082).

scholarly journals Fig. 3. Relation between per capita income and measures of private (A, B) and public (C) green infrastructure, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and fractional tree cover. NDVI and tree cover values are expressed as percentage relative differences to respective district municipality means. Data points represent census tracts and are faded to highlight densities.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zander S Venter ◽  
Charlie M. Shackleton ◽  
Francini Van Staden ◽  
Odirilwe Selomane ◽  
Vanessa A Masterson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Relative Differences

<p>Urban green infrastructure provides ecosystem services that are essential to human wellbeing. A dearth of national-scale assessments in the Global South has precluded the ability to explore how political regimes, such as the forced racial segregation in South Africa during and after Apartheid, have influenced the extent of and access to green infrastructure over time. We investigate whether there are disparities in green infrastructure distributions across race and income geographies in urban South Africa. Using open-source satellite imagery and geographic information, along with national census statistics, we find that public and private green infrastructure is more abundant, accessible, greener and more treed in high-income relative to low-income areas, and in areas where previously advantaged racial groups (i.e. White citizens) reside.</p>

scholarly journals The Effect of Tree Cover and Vegetation on Incidence of Childhood Asthma in Metropolitan Statistical Areas of Texas

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Ann Pilat ◽  
Amy McFarland ◽  
Amy Snelgrove ◽  
Kevin Collins ◽  
Tina Marie Waliczek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Asthma ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Metropolitan Statistical Area ◽  
Department Of State ◽  
Tree Coverage

The number of asthma cases in children has increased significantly in the last couple of decades. Studies on links between outdoor air pollutants and asthma have had mixed results, suggesting the need for more focused studies. An increase in tree plantings for urban areas is now being called upon as a solution to the higher heat indexes and pollution rates for more densely populated areas. Green spaces and trees could further benefit some urban areas by providing an effective means to improve air conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is a relationship between levels of vegetation and reported rates of childhood asthma in Texas. Childhood asthma data were collected from the Center for Health Statistics and the Texas Department of State Health Services for the years 2005 and 2006. The asthma rates for each metropolitan statistical area (MSA) were mapped and inserted into a corresponding vegetation map using geographical mapping software. A comparison of vegetation rates and asthma rates in metropolitan areas was used to investigate whether vegetation and tree cover led to higher or lower incidences of childhood asthma rates. Asthma data, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and canopy cover data were analyzed using statistical software. Regression analysis and correlations were calculated to analyze the data for the tree coverage/vegetation rates and asthma rates variable. No statistically significant relationships between NDVI, canopy cover, and asthma were found in this study.

scholarly journals Morphological characteristics and variation of wood, cone and seed productions in the reforestation of Aleppo pine in Northeastern Tunisia using terrestrial and spatial index approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-291
Author(s):  
Raouia El Guemri ◽  
Wahbi Jaouadi ◽  
Kaouther Mechergui ◽  
Moodi Alsubeie ◽  
Souheila Naghmouchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Aleppo Pine ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Soil Protection ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Northeastern Tunisia ◽  
Degraded Ecosystems

AbstractFor several decades, forest management policies have encouraged land cover changes, with the establishment of tree cover such as Aleppo pine in natural or degraded ecosystems for soil protection and the firewood production. In order to investigate the importance of Aleppo pine trees in the ecosystem, this study was conducted in the reforestation of the Aleppo pine of Northeastern Tunisia. The production of wood, cones and seeds of Aleppo pine in the 6 date reforestation in Northeastern Tunisia were surveyed using 6 plots (20 tree/plot) spread over 6 different location. Our hypothesis was to determine the characteristics that can be decisive in estimating the production of Aleppo pine in reforestation in Tunisia using terrestrial and spatial measurements including (i) age, (ii) dendrometric characteristics, (iii) silvicultural treatments, (iv) stationary data and/ or (v) remote sensing parameter (NDVI: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). We found that the Aleppo pine in Northeastern Tunisia and at young age trees (14–35 years) were more productive than the regeneration or reforestation stand, either young or old, in Northwest of Tunisia. Wood, cone and seed productions were significantly different amongst the plots (p <0.05). The NDVI was positively correlated with the production of wood, cones and seeds. Stand age, exposure and longitude were also positively correlated with the production. However, longitude and altitude were negatively correlated with the production, showing a negative effect on the morphological traits of trees and, subsequently, their growth. The regression analysis indicates that NDVI and age were the most determinant factors of seed production. This research suggests that reforestation planning, particularly the choice of altitude and latitude, may result in improved tree morphology that may increase Aleppo pine wood seed and cone crops.

scholarly journals Counting fuel properties as input in the wildfire spreading capacities of vegetated surfaces: case of Albania

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 1667-1682
Author(s):  
Artan HYSA ◽  
Zydi TEQJA
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Burned Areas ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

Extreme weather conditions characterized by increased peak temperatures and stretched draught seasons are expected to boost up wildfire vulnerability in Mediterranean countries such as Albania. Thus, estimations about wildfire spread capacities of the territory are crucial. In this paper we introduce four new parameters into the indexing method for classifying the forested lands by their wildfire spreading capacity (WSCI). Land cover type via Corine Land Cover (CLC), Plant heat zones, Tree cover density (TCD), and Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are integrated along with the previous set of criteria. The analytical steps of the process are performed in QGIS software including the Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin (SCP) which is useful in calculating NDVI values. The diversity among the inventory values of the selected criteria urges for a normalizing procedure within QGIS. Besides, each criterion is foreseen to have a specific impact on the WSCI value, which is weighted via Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The sum of the products of the normalized class and the weighted impact factor of each criterion generates the WSCI value. The validation relies on the comparison between the index values of points being located within the burned areas and the values of the remaining locations. The results have shown that the former set of points have higher WSCI mean value then the latter group of points. Lastly, the parametric vulnerability assessment method presented here enables useful materials in support of wildfire risk reduction within the national priorities of disaster risk management and fire safety agendas in Albania. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document