NDLI: Multitemporal analysis of forest fragmentation in Hindu Kush Himalaya—a case study from Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Sharma, Mohit Areendran, G. Raj, Krishna Sharma, Ankita Joshi, P. K.
Copyright Year	2016
Abstract	Forests in the mountains are a treasure trove; harbour a large biodiversity; and provide fodder, firewood, timber and non-timber forest products; all of these are essential for human survival in the highest mountains on earth. The present paper attempts a spatiotemporal assessment of forest fragmentation and changes in land use land cover (LULC) pattern using multitemporal satellite data over a time span of around a decade (2000–2009), within the third highest protected area (PA) in the world. The fragmentation analysis using Landscape Fragmentation Tool (LFT) depicts a decrease in large core, edge and patches areas by 5.93, 3.64 and 0.66 %, respectively, while an increase in non-forest and perforated areas by 6.59 and 4.01 %, respectively. The land cover dynamics shows a decrease in open forest, alpine scrub, alpine meadows, snow and hill shadow areas by 2.81, 0.39, 8.18, 3.46 and 0.60 %, respectively, and there is an increase in dense forest and glacier area by 4.79 and 10.65 %, respectively. The change analysis shows a major transformation in areas from open forest to dense forest and from alpine meadows to alpine scrub. In order to quantify changes induced by forest fragmentation and to characterize composition and configuration of LULC mosaics, fragmentation indices were computed using Fragstats at class level, showing the signs of accelerated fragmentation. The outcome of the analysis revealed the effectiveness of geospatial tools coupled with landscape ecology in characterization and quantification of forest fragmentation and land cover changes. The present study provides a baseline database for sustainable conservation planning that will benefit the subsistence livelihoods in the region. Recommendations made based on the present analysis will help to recover forest and halt the pessimistic effects of fragmentation and land cover changes on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the region.
Starting Page	1
Ending Page	18
Page Count	18
File Format	PDF
ISSN	01676369
Journal	Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Volume Number	188
Issue Number	10
e-ISSN	15732959
Language	English
Publisher	Springer International Publishing
Publisher Date	2016-09-29
Publisher Place	Cham
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Forest fragmentation LULC Protected area LFT Fragmentation indices Fragstats Landscape ecology Monitoring/Environmental Analysis Environmental Management Ecotoxicology Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution Ecology
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Pollution Medicine Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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