Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences
ISSN (Print): 2328-3912 ISSN (Online): 2328-3920 Website: https://www.sciepub.com/journal/aees Editor-in-chief: Alejandro González Medina
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Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2022, 10(1), 19-24
DOI: 10.12691/aees-10-1-4
Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation of Anthropogenic Impacts Using Remote Sensing Approach on Forest Coverage of Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram, India

P.C. Vanlalnunpuia1, , S.T. Lalzarzovi1, P.C. Lalbiaknii2 and Joney Lalnunpuii Pachuau3

1Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004, India

2Department of Botany, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004, India

3Department of Botany, Government Champhai College, Champhai-796321, India

Pub. Date: January 20, 2022

Cite this paper:
P.C. Vanlalnunpuia, S.T. Lalzarzovi, P.C. Lalbiaknii and Joney Lalnunpuii Pachuau. An Evaluation of Anthropogenic Impacts Using Remote Sensing Approach on Forest Coverage of Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram, India. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2022; 10(1):19-24. doi: 10.12691/aees-10-1-4

Abstract

Anthropogenic factors and pressures on protected areas often have negative consequences on the ecosystem function which leads to loss of flora and fauna. The goal of this research aims to investigate the alteration of forest vegetation by utilizing remote sensing techniques profiled from 2006 - 2018 in Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 50 km2. The spatial distribution of forest cover was mapped using the IRS-P6 LISS III satellite images. The satellite-based survey revealed that 5.23 km2 of forest cover was lost during 2006 - 2018.The periodical observations showed that the forest cover was 48.82 km2 (97.64 % coverage of PWS) in 2006, which moderately declined to 48.17 km2 (96.33 %) losing 0.65 km2 of forest cover in 2012. However, a steep decline was observed from 2012 to 2018 where forest cover was reduced to 43.59 km2 (87.19 %) losing 4.58 km2 of forest area. The main cause of this loss is due to the construction of Tuirial Hydro Electric Power Station based on the rivers alongside the sanctuary. The reservoir of this dam has submerged large quantities of trees and forest areas creating many small fragmented and inhabitable lands, thus, disturbing the ecosystem function of this sanctuary. The study also feature the potential of periodic monitoring using multi-temporal satellite observations for the monitoring and management plans of these protected areas.

Keywords:
remote sensing GIS tropical forest anthropogenic Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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