Landscape Classification of Sariska National Park (India) and its Environments using Geospatial Technology (original) (raw)

The relationship between land use/land cover (LULC) changes and land degradation over a period of 20 years (1989–2009) at Sariska National Park (India), and its environment was investigated using remotely sensed and ancillary data. The study analyzed the magnitude and direction of temporal LULC changes for two consecutive periods; 1989–2009. The temporal change patterns of LULC were analyzed through interpretation of LANDSAT imagery. Final land cover maps produced under four major classes after a supervised (maximum likelihood) classification exercise. Results of the study revealed that the study area has undergone substantial LULC changes, primarily a shift from natural cover into managed agro-systems which is apparently attributed to the increasing both human and livestock pressure. This shows that, most of the previously forest covered and grass lands are shifted to the rapidly expanding farm land use classes. The findings of this study suggested that the rate of LULC change over the study period, particularly deforestation due to the expansion of farm land and soil erosion problems need to be given due attention to maintain the stability of the ecosystem.