Conclusion

Temporal Land cover analyses highlighted the decline of forest cover from 96.62 (1976) to 93.60% (2009).

Spatio-temporal land use analysis indicated the increase of built-up patches from 0.05 to 0.25% (2009). The results also reveal the fragmentation of forest patches due to the conversion of forest areas for agricultural and development activities. Forest fragmentation analysis showed the decline in interior forests from 1976 to 2009 and domination of edge and patch forest in all divisions. Land use changes from



Fig. 9: Fragmentation of forests in Chikkamagalur .

Table 5: Kappa and overall accuracy

Year

I

Kappa Co-efficient

I

Overall accuracy

(%)

1976

0.77

84.43

1991

0.78

86.06

2000

0.80

87.12

2009

0.91

93.43

Table 6: Extent (in percentages) of forest fragmentation during 1976 to 2009.

Types of fragmentation

I

1976

I

1991

I

2000

I

2009

Patch

3.51

5.71

5.93

8.74

Transitional

9.43

12.14

13.59

14.79

Edge

29.32

37.23

37.64

35.87

Perforated

5.35

2.35

3.32

3.22

Interior

52.39

42.56

40.40

37.38

forests to non-forests with intensified human interference had been very high especially in Bhadravati and Chikkamagalur division. Koppa forest division showed more fragmented forest patches with increased edge and patch forest. The extent of interior forest declined in last few years in Kudhremukh National Park due to mining/ quarrying activities.

Bhadra wild life Sanctuary also showed decline in forest cover.