Human Induced Land Transformation and GIS

Photo Courtesy: Jérémy Jalabert

The dense forest covers in the western ghats is fast depleting, due to increased pressure over land to meet the demands of growing population.

Abstract: Land use is a complex and dynamic phenomenon and the changes in its pattern are attributable to human activities. The current rate of land degradation, especially in forest ecosystems, can be easily detected, mapped and sustainably managed by using GIS and remote sensing tools. Land use-land cover mapping also helps assess the regenerative status of forests.

The authors are Assistant Professor and Professor at the Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Christ College and School of Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology, respectively. profmadhugopal@gmail.com