Spatial modeling for land degradation assessment using remote sensing data & GIS : a case study of Daungnay watershed, Magway District, Myanmar | |
| Author | S. Cung Chin Thang |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-02-06 |
| Subject(s) | Land degradation Remote sensing Myanmar Geographic information systems Myanmar |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-02-06 |
| Abstract | Land degradation in terms of soil erosion is a major environmental issue posing threat to sustainability livelihood in semi-arid regions. Knowing land degradation extent is essential part for the rehabilitation of the land. Spatial modeling of biophysical data integrated with social data has already proved a powerful trend of environmental monitoring efficiently. Land degradation extent and depleted area of Dry Zone, Central Myanmar was investigated through remote sensing data in geographic information system. Daungnay Watershed, total area 474.55 km2 , was chosen and built spatial data of land degradation elements such as soil erosion, land capability classification and population density. Water induced soil erosion is the most destructive in semi- arid land of Myanmar for bimodal rainfall pattern other than total rain which account of 1000 mm annually. Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE- Wischmeier and Smith, 1978) was applied to estimate the annual soil loss from the whole watershed in 1995. As the role of land quality is a major consideration for degradation processes, the capability of land was classified through Storie Index Rating. Population increase and land degradation process was inversely especially in semi-arid regions through out the world. Population data of village tracks in 1995 was classified in three groups to assess the land degradation through soil erosion. All the data were modeled to assess the severity of the land degradation in GIS software, using spatial analysis. Overlaying process was done by weighting and scoring of the three layers which primarily found out inter and intra-relationships. The final output represented area extent of degraded lands in different severity classes. Modeling of spatial data integrated with remote sensing data is found to be a very effective tool for assessment of land degradation through this study. However, further study is necessary to complete the method that can be applied effectively in time and cost. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-02-06 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Apisit Eiumnoh; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;Clemante, Roberto.S. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Katholischer Akademischer Auslander-Dienst (KAAD); |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |