|
Monitoring of Land use Changes
Ruklanthi Silva
Center for Remote Sensing, Survey Department of Sri lanka
Abstract
Landuse mapping was integrating visual interpretation of Aerial photographs & Satellite imagery commended with the production of Land use map on the scale of 1:100.000. The land is constantly changing due to various human activities, natural conditions and development activities. According to the User requirements, updating of the land use mapping is required at regular intervals. The objective of the study is to see the possibilities of applying the Satellite imagery in monitoring Land use changes more speedily.
In order to carryout this work, remotely sensed satellite Imagery in conjunction with other data sources (areal photographs & existing maps) has been used. ISR-LISS II satellite data were analyzed using PCI (Version 6.0) Software.
The use of remotely sensed satellite imagery provides a cost effective means to obtain useful land use data for large areas. In areas that are difficult to access this technique is perhaps a good method of obtaining the required data more effectively and speedily.
1.0 Introduction
Land use mapping of this country was first done in 1956, at the scale of 1:63,360. Then in 1980-90 period land use mapping was done at the scale of 1:100,000. This resulted in district base land use maps from the country. The experience gained through this mapping activity was mainly in the application of analogue techniques f compilation f map information.;
With increasing human settlement and land development, it is necessary to have an inventory of land resources of the country. The optimizing of land use for agriculture and for other purpose has been identified as a very important requirement for the achievement of economic and social benefit of the country. Therefore information will be classification and mapping of land use is an important task.
Remote sensing is a powerful technique for surveying, mapping and monitoring earth resources. This technique has become indispensable and increasingly more meaningful because of the synoptic coverage of satellites over large areas rendering its cost and time effectiveness. Furthermore, in areas that are difficult to access, this technique is perhaps the only method of obtaining the required data more affectivity and speedily.
2.0 Objective
The main objective of this study was to develop remote sensing methodology for monitoring land use changes to other areas using satellite data such as IRS II. Monitoring of land use/land cover changes which would help to plan development activities such as major schemes and for user requirements.
3.0 Study Area
The study area included within the administrative districts Ampara and Moneragala which falls in to Eastern and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka and covers an area about 800 km2. Its northern latitude is between 6° 30′ to 6° 50′
and Eastern longitude is between 81° 30′ to 81° 50′. See Fig. 1.0 (Location of the study area). The area selected was mostly covered by forest. (75%).
Figure 1.0 Location of the study area
|
