Mapping primary forest loss in peninsular Malaysia

Varada Shevade, University of Maryland, vshevade@umd.edu (Presenter)
Tatiana Loboda, Univ. Maryland, loboda@umd.edu
Svetlana Turubanova, University of Maryland, College Park, paleobase@gmail.com
Peter Potapov, University of Maryland, College Park, peter.potapov@hermes.geog.umd.edu

Habitat loss and fragmentation is one of the major threats for biodiversity. Malaysia has lost a large portion of its forestland and is a region that has faced large-scale conversions of forest to plantations. Mapping forest extent and loss will be essential in understanding the biodiversity habitat extent, habitat loss and drivers of loss. Peninsular Malaysia is home to the Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksonii). Maintaining tigers in the wild requires availability of sufficient habitat area among other things. Malayan tiger population has been declining in the recent past and long-term viability of populations in the landscape will depend on conserving habitat and the connectivity between forest complexes.

Using the Landsat data archive, we mapped primary forest extent for the year 1988 and primary forest cover loss from 1988 to 2000 for peninsular Malaysia. We aggregated our forest cover loss data with Hansen et al. (2013) global product resulting in a consistent forest loss dataset from 1988 to 2014. Primary forests are defined as mature natural forests that have not been completely cleared or re-planted in recent history, although some signs of disturbance e.g. selective logging, might be present. Mapping was performed using Landsat image composites and supervised decision tree classifier. We estimate primary forest loss for the various provinces of peninsular Malaysia. We also estimate forest loss within and outside of protected areas and tiger conservation landscapes to assess forest loss within potential tiger habitat.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  Theme 4: Human influence on global ecosystems   (Mon 4:30 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• Related Activity: Related Activity or Previously Funded CC&E Activity not listed ...details

Poster Location ID: 89