Geospatial modelling for identification of potential ecological corridors in Orissa
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J. Indian Soc. Remote Sens. (September 2010 : Special issue on Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology) 38 : 387-399
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Geospatial Modelling for Identification of Potential Ecological Corridors in Orissa A. Roy • B.S.S. Devi • B. Debnath • M.S.R. Murthy
Received: 14 December 2009 / Accepted: 02 June 2010 Keywords Geospatial modelling • Cost surface • Least cost path • GIS • Landscape ecology • Ecological corridors
Abstract Development of forest connectivity and corridors are critical for biodiversity conservation and also ensures energy and genetic exchange across greater spatial extent. A model has been developed to geospatially identify the potential ecological corridors based on the vegetation type and land cover data in association with spatial disturbance profile. The model formulates the route of least impedance due to (1) disturbance (a function
A. Roy( ) • B.S.S. Devi • B. Debnath • M.S.R. Murthy Forestry and Ecology division, Land Resources Group RS & GIS Application Area National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500625, India
email : [email protected]
of fragmentation, juxtaposition, Interspersion & proximity to roads/settlements) and (2) vegetation type and land cover. This is because the movement of genetic information and materials follow the path of least resistance across a landscape. The paper explores the utility of the approach to spatially generate ecological corridors connecting 14 protected areas of Orissa. The model has been able to identify the potential route connecting the different protected regions with 85-87% of the corridor in the natural areas. Of the 14 protected areas, only 12 could be connected by the model as they confirm to the criteria for the corridor establishment.
Introduction Both a rise in average temperatures and an increase of extreme weather conditions coupled with anthropogenically induced habitat fragmentation, are
388 J. Indian Soc. Remote Sens. (September 2010 : Special issue on Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology) 38 : 387-399
putting pressure on biodiversity. Species are forced to move in order to find habitats that meet their requirements. The shift of habitats is going fast, about 100-500 km per century, which amounts to 3-14 meters per day! (McKenney et al., 2007). Due to habitat fragmentation alone many species in Indian subcontinent have already disappeared or may disappear in the near future. In combination with climate change the risk of extinction is even greater. So a coherent system of natural and semi-natural landscape elements that is configured and managed with the objective of maintaining or restoring ecological functions as a means to conserve biodiversity while providing appropriate opportunities for the sustainable use of natural resources have to be developed (Bennett, 2004). The approach involves maintenance of the overall ecosystem functioning through a coherent system of specific areas with their individual functioning depending on their ecological values. This involves
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