Landsat-8 Multispectral Satellite Imagery for Rhinoceros Sondaicus Habitat Spatial Distribution Modelling through Biophysical Parameters in Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia

Abstract

The Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) was categorized as a red list according to IUCN. Javan Rhinoceros was increasingly threatened due to the lack of available environmental characteristic informations (habitat) that was suitable for Javan rhinoceros to survive in in-situ conservation. The capability of various remote sensing wavelengths sensors can be used to get the environmental characteristics data and obtain information related to Javan Rhinoceros’s habitat characteristics through spatial modelling. This research were aimed to (1) knowing the ability of LANDSAT-8 multispectral satellite imagery to identify biophysical parameter of Javan Rhinoceros’s habitat in Ujung Kulon National Park and (2) developing a javan rhinoceros’s suitable habitat distribution model in order to survive in Ujung Kulon National Park. The data were collected by LANDSAT-8 multispectral satellite imagery interpretation assisted by GIS analysis. The result showed that LANDSAT-8 multispectral satellite imagery can be used to identify several biophysical parameters, such: slope, altitude, vegetation cover index, temperature, and the distance of puddle, river, beach, and glade. Moreover, the result of the distribution model can be visualized as digital maps and software-based maps about Javan rhinoceros habitat information’s, and it can be used as guidance for conservation society in order to conserve Javan rhinoceros in Indonesia.