Namita Giree

Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2011

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Geography

Abstract

The humid tropical forest is one of the most diverse of all the terrestrial biomes. Humid tropical forests are also important for regulating climate, biogeochemical and hydrological systems. In addition, these forests provide livelihoods for human populations. However, humid tropical forests have faced increasing exploitation and a consequent reduction in extent in recent decades. Monitoring humid tropical forests is important due to the diverse and important ecosystem services they provide. A hotspot of recent humid tropical forest cover loss is insular Southeast Asia. However, precise estimates of forest cover change specifically for Malaysia have not been made. Malaysia accounts for 1.18 percent of all humid tropical forests, and 16.64 percent within insular Southeast Asia. As such, quantifying change within Malaysia is important to understanding humid tropical forest change in general. It is hypothesized that the overall rate of forest cover loss from 1990 to 2000 compared to 2000 to 2005 decreased in similar fashion to what occurred in neighboring Indonesia. This study examines the clearing of Malaysia's humid tropical forest cover from 1990 to 2005 through probability sampling designs and satellite imagery. Sampling is a proven, time and cost-effective method for estimating area change. The study period was divided into two intervals - 1990 to 2000 and 2000 to 2005. For each time interval, sample blocks were randomly selected, and pairs of Landsat images acquired per sample block used to quantify forest cover area and forest cover loss for each period. The results indicate an increase in the rate of gross forest cover loss for the two study periods. An estimated 26.57 Mha of Malaysia was under forest cover in 1990, and 23.87 Mha in 2000. An estimated 4.25 Mha (0.42 Mha/yr) and 3.20 Mha (0.64 Mha/yr) of forest cover was lost during 1990-2000 and 2000-2005 time periods respectively. Results obtained in this study were found to be in contrast with Indonesia; which experienced a clear decline in the rate of gross forest cover loss from the 1990-2000 to 2000-2005 time periods. These results reflect a different set of drivers of forest cover change in Malaysia and Indonesia. Specifically, divers such as the large scale forest loss due to Ei Nino-driven fires of the late 1990's and dramatic political instability in Indonesia at the tum of the century were absent in Malaysia. Results obtained in this study reflect the need for concurrent national-scale monitoring in quantifying forest cover change dynamics.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Forests and forestry -- Environmental aspects -- Malaysia

Forests and forestry -- Environmental aspects -- Indonesia

Forest canopies -- Malaysia

Forest canopies -- Indonesia

Rain forests -- Malaysia

Rain forests -- Indonesia

Deforestation -- Malaysia

Deforestation -- Indonesia

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

83

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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