Title
The Use of Landsat Imagery and Spatial Analysis to Detect Forest Cover Change and Degradation, and Determine Forest Management Suitability Indices in the Bago Mountain Region of Myanmar
Date of Award
4-10-2018
Semester of Degree
May
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Major Professor
Rene Germain
Steering Committee Member
Lindi Quackenbush
Steering Committee Member
Stephen Stehman
Abstract
The Bago Mountain region in Myanmar is known as the “Home of Teak” (Tectona grandis) due to the occurrence of natural teak forests. Nowadays, the composition of this valuable timber species is declining in the region. Thus, the first objective of this study was to quantify forest cover changes between 2000 and 2017. The second objective was to develop GIS models and determine potential sites for reforestation activities. The results revealed that between 2000 and 2017, the annual deforestation rate was 0.78%, and annual forest degradation rate was 1.35%. In addition to reporting the forest cover changes, this GIS land suitability analysis could provide important spatial information for immediate teak restoration planning and investments. The steps employed in this study can be referred to as a protocol for locating candidate sites for reforestation in other geographic areas.
Recommended Citation
Kyaw, Thu Ya, "The Use of Landsat Imagery and Spatial Analysis to Detect Forest Cover Change and Degradation, and Determine Forest Management Suitability Indices in the Bago Mountain Region of Myanmar" (2018). Dissertations and Theses. 28.
https://digitalcommons.esf.edu/etds/28