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Estimation of Tropical deforestation and Prediction of Biotic pressure zone for effective Forest management in Eastern Ghats of India

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Centre for Biodiversity Informatics, Department of Botany, Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 020, INDIA
  • 2Department of Botany, Government Arts College, Melur, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 625 106 INDIA
  • 3Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620 021, INDIA
  • 4Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620 002, India

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 4, Issue (12), Pages 14-21, December,10 (2015)

Abstract

The tropical habitats, one of the most species rich and diversified formations on earth, face extensive loss of forest cover due to anthropogenic pressures. Precise inventory and monitoring using remote sensing and GIS, to estimate and monitor these anthropogenic factors is the need of the hour. This study comparatively analyses the specific forest habitats on Shervarayan hills, Eastern ghats of Tamil Nadu India for its forest cover changes due to anthropogenic pressures that have occurred in a decade (1999 to 2009). Buffer zones are generated for road network, villages and overlaid on vegetation type map. Based on their significant influences, the vegetation communities that are prone (risk zones) to the anthropogenic activities are accessed. It is reported that around 4358 ha. of dense forest and 7243 ha. of open forest area are severely degraded. While on the other hand there is an increase of 6670 ha. of scrub area. Similarly deforestation rate is high in buffer zones comprising roads (250 m) and foot paths (100 m) respectively. It is also reported that 7143 ha. is under low risk zone followed by Moderate risk (421 ha.) and high risk zones (1034 ha.). The study provides us with ideal and concrete information on deforestation and also gives inputs for better management of forest resources under anthropogenic pressure in future.

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