Assessing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in Uganda using satellite observations and fractal analysis

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Journal of Imaging Science and Technology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6283892

Hlavka, C A; Strong, L L ^[1]

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1. NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (United States)

The MSS, SPOT, and AVHRR imagery of Ugandan forests were analyzed to assess the information content related to deforestation and tropical habitat fragmentation, focusing primarily on the Kibale and Mabira Forests. Analysis of actual and simulated AVHRR imagery showed that it might be possible to monitor major changes in forest extent with the relatively coarse spatial resolution of AVHRR imagery (about 1 km) provided ancillary data were available. The fractal dimension of the forest edges, measured with the Landsat and SPOT imagery, was consistently about 1.7 or 1.8. This high fractal dimension was due to the coplex pattern of clearings, remnant forest stands, and jagged forest edges caused by repeated human encroachment over centuries. 28 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6283892
• Journal Information: Journal of Imaging Science and Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Imaging Science and Technology; (United States) Vol. 36:5; ISSN JIMTE6; ISSN 8750-9237
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090700 -- Biomass Fuels-- Resources-- (1990-)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
AFRICA
DEFORESTATION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MULTISPECTRAL SCANNERS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOMETERS
REMOTE SENSING
RESOLUTION
SATELLITES
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
UGANDA