Comparative Assessment and Monitoring Changes in NDVI of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (ATR) and its Buffer Zone, India

Abstract

Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (ATR), endowed with rich biological diversity and lush green vegetation in and around, makes it more unique. It is also an integral part of the Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (AABR) and has been identified as one of the important tiger reserves of the Central Indian landscape due to its connectivity with other protected areas and tiger reserves in neighboring landscapes. Vegetation mapping and monitoring are important to understand changes in ecosystem processes and associated temporal and spatial impacts. Pre- and post-monsoon IRS, LISS III, and AWiFS satellite data from 2000, 2004, 2008, 2010, and 2013 were used for the present study. This paper is an attempt to examine the variation in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of ATR and its buffer zone on a seasonal and temporal basis. Climate conditions such as temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, etc. play an important role in the growth and development of healthy vegetation. The NDVI value of ATR has shown fluctuation and recorded positive growth over the past 14 years with few exceptions. The post-monsoon season recorded a higher NDVI value as compared to the pre-monsoon months. The maximum NDVI value was recorded in 2004 (+0.539) for the entire ATR and its buffer zone.