ID: 54847
Title: Assessment of Coastal Bio-resources of the Palk Bay, India, using IRS-LISS-III data
Author: R. Sridhar ? T. Thangaradjou ? L. Kannan ? S. Astalakshmi
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Seagrass ? Mangroves ? Coral reefs ? Mapping ? Palk Bay
Abstract: Coastal resources viz., coral reefs,
seagrasses, mangroves, and coastal land features
viz., sandy beach, mudflats and salt pan/aquaculture
ponds were classified and assessed in the Palk Bay
region of the south-east coast of India using IRS
LISS III satellite image (1996, 2000, 2002 and 2004).
The study recorded an areal coverage of 286.95 ha
of reef area during 2004, which is 177.54 ha lesser
than that of the reef area of 1996. The reef vegetation
composed mainly of seaweeds has gained over 29.44
ha during the same period. Likewise, sand over reef
area has also increased alarmingly i.e. 120.34 ha
between 1996 and 2004. The seagrass beds of
Munaikkadu region of the Palk Bay are comparatively
protected and have gained over 7.5 ha between 1996
and 2004. It has been found that both the dense (2.99
ha) and sparse (36.45 ha) mangroves have gained
their areal coverage considerably between 1996 and
2004. Whereas in Devipattinam region, many
anthropogenic pressures are exerted only on the
seagrass resources which has led to the reduction
of over 785.5 ha of dense seagrass beds between
1996 and 2004. The study clearly indicated that the
resources are under the pressures of low to high
threats, especially the coral reefs and seagrasses, if
the pressures continue, coastal resources of the Palk
Bay may face serious threats of destruction in this
part of the Bay in the years to come.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54846
Title: Tropical Rain Forest Mapping and Community Analysis of South Andaman Islands (India)
Author: H. Padalia . P.S. Roy
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Vegetation mapping . Community structure . Species diversity
Abstract: Present study deals with the vegetation type
mapping, structure and composition analysis of the
tropical forests, spread over 1,294 km2 area in South
Andaman Islands. Seventeen vegetation classes
spreading over 89.92% forested area of the islands
were mapped with the overall accuracy of 88.89%.
Evergreen, semi-evergreen and mangrove forests were
reasonably well distributed forests, while moist
deciduous and littoral evergreen were narrowly
restricted. The stocking was quite variable across the
forest types. 60.04% of forested area was under
medium to high canopy density. Secondary and
degraded forest types were mapped. Information on
floristic composition, structure and diversity of
various forest types were obtained from 84 field sample
plots. An inventory of 423 species of plants from 101
families included 155 trees, 84 shrubs, 150 herbs and
84 climbers. Tree density and mean basal area ranged
from 517 to 900 stems ha-1 and 36.15 to 53.58 m2 ha-1
respectively. Evergreen forests accounted for highest
diversity followed almost equally by semi-evergreen
and moist deciduous forests.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54845
Title: Geospatial Modeling of Brown Oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) Habitats in the Kumaun Himalaya under Climate Change Scenario
Author: S. Saran ? R. Joshi ? S. Sharma ? H. Padalia ? V.K. Dadhwal
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: MCDM ? AHP ? Quercus semecarpifolia ? Kumaun Himalaya
Abstract: The study explores the use of multiple
criteria decision techniques in predicting spatial
niche of Brown oak (also known as Kharsu oak,
Quercus semecarpifolia Sm.) formation in midaltitude
(2,400-3,500 meter amsl) Kumaun Himalaya.
Predictive models using various climatic and
topographical factors influencing Brown oak?s
growth and survival were developed to define its
current ecological niche. Analytical Hierarchical
Process (AHP) method involving Saaty?s pair-wise
comparison was performed to rank the explanatory
powers of each compared variable. Variables were
suitably weighted using fuzzy factor standardization
scheme to reflect their relative importance in defining
species niche. An optimum indicator was then chosen
for deriving a site suitability map of brown oak. This
study establishes the role of aspect in the current
distribution of the species along with known
influence of altitude. Future niches of oak has been
tracked in the projected climate change scenario of
+1oC and +2oC rise in temperature and 20 mm in
precipitation. The results show that on predicted
+1oC and +2oC increase in temperature, present
habitat of brown oak distribution may be reduced by
40 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54844
Title: Mapping of Realized and Fundamental Niches of Threatened Tree Species using Geoinformatics: A Species Level Approach for Sustaining Biodiversity
Author: A.O. Varghese . A.K. Joshi . Y.V.N. Krishna Murthy
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Threatened species . Realized niche . Inductive modelling . Fundamental niche
Abstract: In order to ensure that threatened species
are included in the conservation of our biological
diversity, it is necessary to prioritise species and thus
by landscape or implement measure for prioritised area.
This requires geographical data specifying the places
where threatened plants grow and the qualitative
descriptions of environmental variables with which
they are associated. The fundamental niche can be
viewed as the set of environmental conditions and
resources that allow a given species to survive and
reproduce in the absence of biotic interactions. To
survive and avoid competition for the same resources,
a species usually occupies only a part of its
fundamental niche in a particular community or
ecosystem ? that is its realized niche. Currently
available floras, which provide valuable information
about the species distribution pattern, do not indicate
specific locations or the qualitative descriptions of
environmental variables with which they are
associated. In the present study realized niches of
the threatened plant species of Peppara Wildlife
Sanctuary were gathered using Global Positioning
System (GPS) and distribution and abundance of each
species were measured by stratified random sampling
techniques. The realized niches of each threatened
species were gathered by GPS and inductive habitat
suitability assessment modelling has been done in
Geographic Information System (GIS) along with
environmental, edaphic, topographic and
phytosociological data for their fundamental niche.
The study resulted in documenting 151 tree species
belonging to 51 families with eight threatened species.
The distribution of each threatened species, their
realized niches and its status, ecological amplitude
among forest types and their geographical positions
in the landscape were documented and mapped. This
will lead to the exact locality information of the
concerned taxa, their population status, edaphic and
climatic characters of their habitat, their niche width,
potential localities to be searched, knowledge of their
habitat requirements; particularly the factors limiting
their distributions, the factors leading to local and
biological extinction and critical habitats.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54843
Title: None
Author: H. Padalia . R.R. Bharti . Y.P.S. Pundir . K.P. Sharma
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Endemic species . Habitat characterization . GIS . Logistic regression . Pittosporum eriocarpum.. Himalaya
Abstract: Increasing concern for biodiversity
conservation at species level resulted in the
development of cost effective tools for getting
information at larger scale. Modeling distribution of
species using remote sensing and geographic
information has already proved its potentials to get
such information with less effort. Pittosporum
eriocarpum Royle is an endemic and threatened tree
species of Uttarakhand, yet till now its regional
distribution is poorly known. This study using
geospatial modelling tools indentified several
localities of potential occurrence of this species in
the Mussoorie hills and Doon valley, and also
provides information on its habitat specificity. The
main objective of the study is to predict the suitable
habitats for endangered plant species in Himalayan
region using logistic regression model where
availability of sufficient data on species presenceabsence
is a major limitation for larger areas.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54842
Title: Geospatial Multiple Logistic Regression Approach for Habitat Characterization of scarce Plant Population: A case study of Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle (An Endemic Species of Uttarakhand, India)
Author: H. Padalia . R.R. Bharti . Y.P.S. Pundir . K.P. Sharma
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Endemic species . Habitat characterization . GIS . Logistic regression . Pittosporum eriocarpum.. Himalaya
Abstract: Increasing concern for biodiversity
conservation at species level resulted in the
development of cost effective tools for getting
information at larger scale. Modeling distribution of
species using remote sensing and geographic
information has already proved its potentials to get
such information with less effort. Pittosporum
eriocarpum Royle is an endemic and threatened tree
species of Uttarakhand, yet till now its regional
distribution is poorly known. This study using
geospatial modelling tools indentified several
localities of potential occurrence of this species in
the Mussoorie hills and Doon valley, and also
provides information on its habitat specificity. The
main objective of the study is to predict the suitable
habitats for endangered plant species in Himalayan
region using logistic regression model where
availability of sufficient data on species presenceabsence
is a major limitation for larger areas.
species of Uttarakhand, yet till now its regional
distribution is poorly known. This study using
geospatial modelling tools indentified several
localities of potential occurrence of this species in
the Mussoorie hills and Doon valley, and also
provides information on its habitat specificity. The
main objective of the study is to predict the suitable
habitats for endangered plant species in Himalayan
region using logistic regression model where
availability of sufficient data on species presenceabsence
is a major limitation for larger areas.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54841
Title: Designing a Protected Area Network for Conservation Planning in Jhum Landscapes of Garo Hills, Meghalaya
Author: A. Kumar . B.G. Marcot . G. Talukdar
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Garo Hills . North-east India . Protected area network . Wildlife corridors . Zone of influence . Shifting cultivation . Jhum
Abstract: We studied vegetation and land cover
characteristics within the existing array of protected
areas (PAs) in South Garo Hills of Meghalaya,
northeast India and introduce the concept of protected
area network (PAN) and methods to determine linkages
of forests among existing PAs. We describe and
analyse potential elements of a PAN, including PAs,
reserved forests, surrounding buffers as zones of
influence, and connecting forest corridors, which
collectively can provide old-forest habitat for wildlife
species linked across a landscape dominated by jhum
(shifting cultivation) agriculture. ANOVA and Chisquare
analyses of patch characteristics and forest
tree diversity suggested the presence of equally
species-rich and diverse old forest cover (tropical
evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forest
types) in portions of unprotected private and
community owned land, which could be designated
as additions to, and network linkages among, existing
PAs. Such additions and linkages would help provide
for conservation of elephants and existing native
forest biodiversity and would constitute a PAN in the
region. Most (80%) of the total forest cover of the
region belongs to private or community owned land.
Therefore, such additions could be formally recognized
under the aegis of the 2003 amendments of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act 1972, which include provisions to
designate selected forest patches within private lands
as Community Reserves.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54840
Title: Assessment of Forest Fragmentation in the Conservation Priority Dudhwa Landscape, India using FRAGSTATS Computed Class Level Metrics
Author: N. Midha ? P.K. Mathur
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Conservation priority ? Land use/cover ? Fragmentation metrics ? Dudhwa National Park ? Katerniaghat wildlife sanctuary
Abstract: The Dudhwa landscape, a priority
conservation area representing Terai ecosystem
(woodland-grassland-wetland complex) has witnessed
a sea change in past 150 years or so on account of
long history of forest management, changes in land
use, and rapid economic development. We assessed
fragmentation in two constituent protected areas
(Dudhwa National Park-DNP and Katerniaghat
Wildlife Sanctuary-KAT) of the landscape due to
forest management activities (clear cutting,
development of rail and road network, and
plantations) and compared the magnitude among
them using select metrics at the forest class level. We
applied FRAGSTATS spatial pattern analysis software
(ver.3.3) on different forest classes deciphered by land
use/ cover maps generated using IRS P6 LISS IV
digital data. Study amply revealed that the forests in
DNP are less fragmented and of better habitat quality
than forests of KAT. The set of seven metrics (patch
density, mean patch size, edge density, mean shape
index, mean core area, mean nearest neighbour, and
interspersion and juxtaposition index) at the class level
quantified in the present study are simple and proved
useful for quantifying complex spatial processes and
can be used as an effective means of monitoring in
Dudhwa landscape.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54839
Title: Geospatial Modeling of Biological Richness in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary of Orissa, India
Author: C. Pattanaik ? C.S. Reddy ? M.S.R. Murthy
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Disturbance regimes, Plant richness. Remote sensing. Geospatial modeling
Abstract: The paper presents a geospatial modeling
approach for the assessment of biological richness
in Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary in Orissa located in the
northern tip of the Eastern Ghats in India. Indian
Remote Sensing satellite data of Resourcesat-1 LISS
III and field sampling were used to model biological
richness at 1:50,000 scale. It was found that the
sanctuary is dominated by Sal mixed dry deciduous
forest. The vegetation map prepared through visual
interpretation of satellite imagery was subjected tolandscape analysis and assessment of biotic
disturbance using SPLAM software. The disturbance
index together with species richness, ecosystem
uniqueness, terrain complexity and total importance
value was modeled to access the biological richness
in the sanctuary. A total of 3.9 per cent area was
found to posses very high plant richness followed
by high (21.2%), medium (42.1%) and low (32.8%) in
the sanctuary. The study demonstrated the
geospatial technology in conjunction with landscape
analysis, ground inventory and geospatial modeling
seizes good potential for rapid assessment of
biological richness. The fringe areas of the sanctuary
having disturbance more because most of the small
villages which are relocated from sanctuary, settled
in those areas.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54838
Title: Influences of Fragmentation on Plant Diversity: An Observation in Eastern Himalayan Tropical Forest
Author: M.D. Behera
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Fragmentation ? Diversity ? Dominance ? Landscape ecology ? Plant Diversity ? Eastern Himalaya
Abstract: Tropical forest fragmentation has been a
major concern towards biodiversity conservation.
Indices to determine the community structure and
their relationship with forest fragmentation have
been a matter of investigation. Here, I investigated
the plant diversity across a fragmentation gradient
in a typical human-influenced forested landscape in
eastern Himalaya. The stratification for guiding field
sampling was done using satellite remote sensing
derived forest type map at 1:50,000 scale. The results
of 49 sample plots (nested quadrant of 20?20 m size)
following stratified random sampling method were
analysed. It was observed that high fragmented
forests have fewer plant species, reduced
anthropogenic use evidence and newer community
types than medium and low fragment forests. In
general, species diversity and species dominance
were observed to be inversely proportional and
directly proportional to forest fragmentation. Basal
area followed a decreasing trend along fragmentation
gradient. These results revealed that higher level of
fragmentation permits low diversity in the eastern
Himalayan tropical forests.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54837
Title: Geospatial Analysis of Tamil Nadu Eastern Ghats Forest Types at Landscape level with reference to Fragmentation and Species Diversity
Author: K.R. Ambastha ? C.S. Jha
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Landscape analysis ? Forest ? Species diversity ? Tamil Nadu ? Fragmentation ? Disturbance
Abstract: The present study has generated spatial
databases on the vegetation type with plant
biodiversity, forest fragmentation and disturbance
regimes in Tamilnadu parts of Eastern Ghats (EG),
India. These databases have been analysed
geospatially with landscape ecology approach. The
study also includes ground inventory of plant species
based on Remote Sensing (RS) data stratification.
The vegetation type map was generated from the
visual interpretation of two season IRS LISS III data.
The spatial landscape analysis of the remotely sensed
interpreted images was carried out using customized
software, SPLAM. This is first such study in
Tamilnadu Eastern Ghats that provides a
comprehensive spatial database on vegetation types,
disturbance regime and plant species diversity. The
study has shown that the dry deciduous and thorn
forests have shown better resistance to disturbance
compared to the most disturbed evergreen and semievergreen
forests. The study outputs are being
utilized by forest department and biodiversity boards
for conservation action planning and compliance to
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54836
Title: Landscape Characterisation of the Forests of Himalayan Foothills
Author: M. Munsi ? G . Areendran ? A. Ghosh ? P.K. Joshi
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Accuracy assessment ? Characterisation ? LULC ? Himalaya ? Landscape ? Metrics
Abstract: Deforestation and degradation are
important aspects of landscape dynamics and have
global significance. Quantification of landscape
pattern using landscape metrics help in
characterisation of landscapes and thus overall
health of the forest cover. Himalayan foothills are
one of the most important and fragile landscapes.
Developmental activities and depdendence on the
forest resources have altered the spatial pattern of
these natural landscapes to a great extent. These
changes in the landscape were analysed using
satellite data from 1990, 2001 and 2006. The
vegetation type maps of Dehradun forest division
were prepared by supervised classification technique
in order to study the landscape dynamics. Patch
density, edge density, shape index, cohesion index,
interspersion and juxtaposition index, normalised
entropy, and relative richness are some important
landscape metrics used in the study for quantifying
the characteristics of landscape. The landscape
metrics analysis and transformation analysis show
that the forested areas are getting degraded and
physical connectedness between the patches have
also decreased making them isolated. The study
demonstrates the importance of geospatial tools for
monitoring the impact of disturbances on the forest
ecosystem health, which can further help in
landscape management.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54835
Title: Geospatial Modelling of Biological Richness in Sunderbans
Author: S. Nandy ? S.P.S. Kushwaha
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Disturbance ? Diversity ? Fragmentation ? Mangrove ? Biological richness
Abstract: The present study attempts to assess the
biological richness in Sunderban Biosphere Reserve
(SBR) using a three-pronged approach i.e. satellite
image (IRS 1D LISS-III) for vegetation/land use
stratification, landscape analysis for disturbance
regimes assessment and the disturbance regimes
together with the ecosystem uniqueness, species
richness and importance value for biological richness
modelling. The study showed that four mangrove
categories, viz., Avicennia, Phoenix, mixed
mangroves and mangrove scrub, cover 23.21 per
cent of the total geographical area of SBR. The
largest area is occupied by mixed mangroves
(18.31%). The overall accuracy of the vegetation/land
use map worked out to be 91.67 per cent. The
disturbance analysis revealed that the vegetation
types were not much disturbed. Shannon-Weaver?s
index of diversity was highest in case of mixed
mangrove. The results revealed that 75 per cent
forest area has high biological richness.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54834
Title: Assessment and Validation of Biological Richness at Landscape Level in part of the Himalayas and Indo-Burma Hotspots using Geospatial Modeling Approach
Author: M. D. Behera ? P.S. Roy
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Species richness ? Endemism ? Remote sensing ? Arunachal Pradesh ? Assam ? Meghalaya
Abstract: Validation is a necessary step for model
acceptance and is defined as a comparison of the
model?s predictions with real world to determine
whether the model is suitable for its intended
purpose. We have validated the biological richness
index for three states generated in ?Biodiversity
Characterization at Landscape Level? project under
the aegis of Department of Biotechnology and
Department of Space of the Government of India.
Biological Richness (BR) index, described elsewhere
as a cumulative property of ecological habitats and
surroundings; was analyzed as an integrated ?threetier
modeling approach? of (i) utilization of geospatial
tools, (ii) limited field survey and (iii) landscape
analysis.
For validation, we categorized the field plots
into 10-groups corresponding to 10-levels of BR
using data splitting technique using their GPSrecorded
positional information. In general, the
number of tree, shrub and liana species and mean
BA demonstrated a decreasing trend with lowering
of BR for all three states falling under both the
hotspots. However, the number of endemic species
increased with decrease in BR levels for Meghalaya
and Arunachal Pradesh; and decreased for the state
of Assam. The study validates the BR index derived
using geospatial modeling approach, thereby
provides confidence in its acceptance for ecological
conservation purposes.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54833
Title: Patterns of Fragmentation and Identification of Possible Corridors in North Western Ghats
Author: M.P. Kale ? G . Talukdar ? R.K. Panigrahy ? S. Singh
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Fragmentation ? Corridors ? North-Western Ghats ? Remote Sensing ? GIS
Abstract: Fragmentation leads to the loss of
connectivity among forested landscapes, which is
important for biological conservation and
biodiversity maintenance. Fragmentation analysis
carried out on 20 years time interval in northern-
Western Ghats revealed that, losses under moderate
and high fragmented forests have decreased from
1985-87 to 2005; however, it is not enough to
compensate the loss of intact forests (not
fragmented). The area of dense forests in intact
forests has decreased from 1985-87 to 2005, this
essentially means the loss of quality habitat in the
area. While investigating connectivity between
fragmented patches by taking different topographical
and ecological parameters into the consideration, it
was observed that potential connectivity exists
between protected areas present in northern and
southern areas.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None