The use of remote sensing data for inventory on biodiversity of national parks : a case study of the Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park in Myanmar | |
| Author | Moe Myint |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.SR-96-1 |
| Subject(s) | biodiversity conservation--Myanmar--Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park Remote sensing--Myanmar |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technical Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The study area of this research study is "Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park" which is one of the priority protected areas in Myanmar. A spatial based forest type classification system was developed based on the system generated spatially defined and spectrally homogeneous field samples (SSS). The peculiarities of this classification method are generation of SSS and consideration of dominant species composition of each SSS for forest type classification. The SSS can be used as the basic units for primary forestry and ecological data collection. Ecological parameters, similarity and dissimilarity indices, and species richness indices of tropical monsoon forest types are derived based on SSS in order to obtain the floristic information and diagnostic characteristics of plant community. It is the first time quantification of tropical monsoon forest types ecologically in Myanmar. The potential habitat classification maps for certain wild animals are derived based on the basic needs for breeding, nesting, resting and feeding. The criteria for basic needs of wild animals are selected based on the local knowledge and literature. These criteria are translated into spatial meaning by using Geographic Information Systems. The development of the relationships and derivation of correlation coefficients between the species diversity and habitat diversity in the tropical monsoon forest is one of the peculiarities of this study. The correlationship between the habitat diversity and species diversity shows the strong positive. It is the first time derivation of correlationships for the tropical monsoon environment. The significance of information generated in term of proper management of the park is discussed. Moreover, this exercise can be used as the model in developing similar information base in other parks in Myanmar. This study suggests the guidelines for long term inventory and monitoring program for protected area system. All the data used for the analyses of this research study are the primary data which are collected in the field based on the SSS of the SPOT satellite data. Moreover, the spatial location of field samples, DEM patches and habitat patches are the same. Therefore, the relationships between the species diversity, landscape diversity and habitat diversity are spatially meaningful. In summary, the unique integration of ecological indices, spatially defined and spectrally homogeneous field samples, digital image processing, geographic information systems and three dimensional information processing developed a spatial based forest type classification system and the relationships of species diversity and habitat diversity. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Space Technology Application and Research (SR) |
| Chairperson(s) | Delsol, Jean Pierre; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Kaew Nualchawee;Hussain, Zakir;Murai, Shunji;Webber, Karl E.;Blasco, Francois; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of France; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996 |