Application of forest canopy density model for forest cover mapping using LISS-IV satellite data: a case study of Sali watershed, West Bengal

Abstract

Investigation of forest canopy density has become an important tool for proper management of natural resources. Vegetation cover density can identify the exact forest gaps within a particular area which in turn will provide the appropriate management strategies for future. Forest canopy density has become an essential tool for identifying the exact areas where the afforestation or reforestation programmes needs to be implemented. The aim and objective of this article is to show up the existing density of forest cover using remote sensing and geographic information system tools. Weighted overlay analysis method has been adopted for investigating forest canopy density of Sali river basin, Bankura district, West Bengal. Several indices likewise normalized difference vegetation index, bareness index, shadow index and perpendicular vegetation index etc. have been used for this study. Higher the weight was assigned for greater concentration of vegetation and lower the weight was assigned for lesser concentration of vegetation. Southern part of the region has very high density of forest coverage in comparison with the northern part of the region. It has been observed that 7.48% of the area is at very low density, 12.63% of low density, 24.84% of medium density, 23.92% of high density and 31.13% of very high forest canopy density.