Journal of the Selva Andina Research Society (Feb 2018)
Multitemporal analysis of forest cover using spatial remote sensing and GIS methodology in the Coroico River sub-basin-Caranavi Province in the years 1989-2014
Abstract
Remote sensing is a technique used for the acquisition of information (in this case the situation of the forests) by means of spatial images obtained by satellite (distant sensors). Later, different techniques of digital and visual processing are used in the satellite images (multispectral type Landsat), to determine the changes in the vegetal cover of the soil for the periods of 1989-2005 and 2005-2014. The study area is the sub-basin of the Coroico River, which. The methodology of spatial remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems was used to generate deforestation maps and subsequent quantification of this information, which was done through the use of the ArcGIS and ERDAS programs. The digital processing of the images was done to identify areas or areas where none existed, or the vegetation cover was very scarce in the soils for the years 1989, 2005 and 2014. The results obtained were: a progressive decrease of the forested areas, being more severe in the period 1989-2005 in contrast to the period 2005-2014. With the results obtained, it is concluded that the loss of the forest is mainly due to inadequate production techniques (agriculture), which leads to the migration and habilitation of new agricultural areas in areas where previously they were forest. This process that is increasing over time occurs at altitudes ranging from 574 to 1605 meters above sea level in the sub-basin, the deforested area has increased 3 times more from 602.05 to 1705.05 ha with a deforestation rate of 59.38 ha Annual forest losses during the period from 1989 to 2005 in relation to the period from 2005 to 2014 that reaches 16.99 ha. Based on the linear data trend, these forest areas will continue to increase in the coming years.
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