Zonation of protected areas using GIS technology : A case study in Binh Chau - Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve (Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, Vietnam) | |
| Author | Pham Bach Viet |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AC-99-22 |
| Subject(s) | Natural areas--Vietnam Geographic information systems |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AC-99-22 |
| Abstract | Biodiversity conservation has become one of the most significant environmental concerns in the developing world because of rapid natural resource degradation and depletion. Although designing conservation areas as Protected Areas is an approach for ensuring biodiversity conservation, maintaining and managing a Protected Area requires various means and initiatives. A management plan of a Protected Area typically involves zoning as a means for effective biodiversity conservation management. Zoning requires an integrated analysis of bio-physical and socio-economic data to define what the functional zones for management should be. Functional zones are managed based on at least three priorities of management objectives: conservation of biodiversity, research, and objectives for the minimization of conflict between various sectors such as tourism. In this study, a weighted linear combination model, in which factors of biology are combined with physical, and socio-economic inputs, is employed to identify suitable areas that can be managed accordingly. The factors are then treated as variables of the model and assigned scores through ranking and weighting. To identify spatially these zones, the technique of Geographic Information System is adopted to facilitate the process of zone mapping and delineation. Binh Chau - Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve, located in the coastal zone of South Vietnam and which belongs to Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, was selected as the case study. This is a separated forest area adjacent to an area of dense population and it needs to be protected more effectively. The major objectives of this study focus on finding suitable areas for each zone and generating a map of functional management zones for Binh Chau - Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve with the aid of both the weighted linear combination model and the GIS technique. The study yields results that indicate a spatial distribution of five functional zones for management and conservation in the Nature Reserve. It is hoped that the outputs can then be considered as a useful input for protected area planning, management and decision making. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AC-99-22 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural, Conservation and Rural Development (AC) |
| Chairperson(s) | Remigio, Amador A.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Apisit Eiumnoh;Webb, Edward L.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |