Deforestation Monitoring
Definition
Deforestation Monitoring in GIS involves tracking the loss of forest cover over time using remote sensing data and spatial analysis techniques. It is critical for understanding environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, and land-use change. Monitoring programs use satellite imagery (e.g., Landsat, Sentinel-2) to detect and quantify changes in vegetation cover, often employing indices such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index).
Application
Governments and environmental organizations use GIS to identify illegal logging, monitor conservation areas, and report to international agreements such as REDD+. Change detection algorithms highlight affected regions, and time-series analysis helps visualize trends. GIS-based dashboards provide decision-makers with real-time updates, while alerts can be triggered for unauthorized clearing. The integration of socio-economic and enforcement data enhances planning and accountability.
FAQ
1. How is deforestation detected with GIS?
By comparing satellite images over time and using vegetation indices or classification algorithms to track forest loss.
2. How is deforestation detected with GIS?
Landsat, MODIS, Sentinel-2, drone imagery, and field-verified land cover datasets.
3. How is deforestation detected with GIS?
To protect ecosystems, reduce carbon emissions, and support legal enforcement and policy compliance.
4. How is deforestation detected with GIS?
Forestry agencies, environmental NGOs, policymakers, and academic researchers.