GIS/Remote sensing techniques for resource management and biodiversity protection in mountainous regions

Abstract

Biodiversity protection in mountainous regions requires effective fact-driven resource management techniques. Geoinformatic tools including GIS and remote sensing can be integrated to provide regional-scale data products across time for use in strategic and management level policymaking. Several principles are discussed to ensure that geoinformatics data and analysis can effectively contribute to resource management by clarifying issues and minimizing misinterpretation. A case study in the Chilean Andes elucidates these principles. Biological impacts of recent climate changes have not been equal across different ecosystems and stable forest ecosystems provide the best response to climate change. Geoinformatics is used to differentiate functional ecological groups and evaluate long-term resilience to climate change.

Responses of Montane Forest to Climate Variability in the Central Himalayas of Nepal

“…Overall comparison among different forest types NDVI is highly sensitive to both canopy foliar and understory chlorophyll content (Dawson et al 2003) and is a reflection of vegetative productivity. Natural systems with more water availability are generally more robust (All 2009). Our analysis revealed that Picea-Tsuga forest had the highest NDVI values among the forests studied.…”