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Vegetation types and land uses mapping in south gujarat using remote
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ISSN 2321–8355 IJARSGG (2013) Vol.1, No.1, 20-31
Research Article
International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and
Geography

VEGETATION TYPES AND LAND USES MAPPING

IN SOUTH GUJARAT USING REMOTE SENSING
AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
G. D. Bhatt I*,· S. P. S. KushwahaI , S. NandyI , Kiran BargaliII·
I*
Forestry and Ecology Department, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, ISRO, Dehradun- 248001, Uttarakhand, India
(*ganeshdattbhatt.iirs@gmail.com, spskushwaha@gmail.com, subratanandy@gmail.com )
II
Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital- 263001, Uttarakhand, India (kiranbargali@yahoo.co.in)
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ABSTRACT: The mapping of vegetation type/land use is an important activity for managing the natural resources.
Remote sensing and geographic information system have a major role in timely assessment and monitoring of land
resources. In the present study, vegetation type/ land use map of south Gujarat was prepared using two season (dry and
wet) Resourcesat-1 satellite data. Satellite data was geometrically corrected with reference to Landsat TM with spatial
resolution of 30m. On-screen visual image interpretation technique was used for mapping the heterogeneity of vegetation
type/land use classes on 1:50,000 scale. The overall accuracy of the vegetation type/land use map was found to be 87.78 %.
Altogether twelve vegetation types and nine land use classes were mapped in the south Gujarat. The vegetation types
occupied 20.401 % of the total geographical area. The forest area is contributing 17.43 % of the total geographical area.
The major portion of vegetation occupied by teak mixed dry deciduous (14.98 %). The main vegetation types of south
Gujarat includes teak mixed dry and moist deciduous forest, mangrove forest, mangrove scrub, riverain forest, ravine
thorn forest, forest plantation, degraded forest, scrub, Prosopis juliflora, grassland and orchard respectively. The
vegetation type map was used as a key input for biodiversity characterisation at landscape level. The vegetation type/land
use map can be used for forest management, conservation planning, and preparation of working and management plans in
the forested areas of south Gujarat.
Keywords: Landscape, Satellite imagery, Mapping, Resourcesat-1

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1. INTRODUCTION: Mapping is a key tool in studying vegetation types, especially its spatial inventory,
dynamics, and biodiversity characterisation at landscape level. Now days, vegetation types/land use map is
successfully prepared and effectively updated using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS)
technology [(1), (2), (3)]. Land use/land cover play an essential role for understanding the physical characteristics of
earth surface, captured in the distribution of vegetation, water, soil and other physical features of the land, including
those created solely by human activities (4). Information on the land use/land cover in the form of maps and data is
very important for planning, conservation, management and utilization of land for agriculture, forestry, urban,
industrial, environmental studies and economic development (5). Assessing and monitoring the earth’s surface is a key
requirement for global change research [(6), (7)]. With the impending threat to environment, vegetation type/land use
mapping is now given the highest priority. Classifying and mapping of vegetation is an important technical task for
managing natural resources as vegetation provides a baseline for all living beings and plays an essential role in
affecting global climate change viz; influencing terrestrial CO2 (8). Vegetation type/land use mapping also presents
valuable information for understanding the natural and man-made environments through quantifying vegetation types
from local to global scales at a given time period (9). It is critical to obtain current status of vegetation types in order
to initiate vegetation protection and restoration programmes [(10), (11)]. The conventional method for collection of
information on vegetation type/land use mapping has been found to be costly and time consuming. So there is a need,
to understand the remote sensing and GIS based holistic forest management and conservation strategies.
Understanding of the extent and rate of forest change is inadequate because of long term large area monitoring, suited
to mapping conversions and transitions, is in its operational infancy and modifications to forest condition,
age/abundance are difficult to detect with reliable precision (12). As such, researchers and policy planner have lack of
quantitative, spatially-explicit and statistically representative data on land cover (13). The vegetation type in tropical
part of India represents diverse formations. On- screen visual image interpretation approach was found to be suitable
to delineate various vegetation types [(14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19)]. In the present study, Resourcesat-1 satellite
data which is having spatial resolution 23.5m was used to generate baseline information of vegetation types/land use
map of south Gujarat. The objective of the present study was to develop detailed vegetation types/land use mapping on
G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 21

1:50,000 scale using on-screen visual image interpretation technique supplemented by information collected from
phytosociological survey.

2. STUDY AREA: The south Gujarat lies between 21°14’-22°49’N to 72°22’-74°15’E and consists of seven
districts viz., Vadodara, Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, The Dangs, Navsari and Valsad, covering a geographical area of
31, 495 km2 (Fig. I). It is bounded in the north to northeast by the districts of Gujarat including Anand, Kheda,
Godhra and Dahod, in the east by Madhya Pradesh, in the south and southeast by Maharashtra and Dadra-Nagar
Haveli and Daman. To its northwest lies the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Khambhat. Surat is the largest city in this region
and second largest city in Gujarat and one o`f the eight largest cities in India (20). The region consists of a typical sub-
humid to humid climate with a low aridity index of 10-15 %. It indicates moist conditions where the soils contain
moisture throughout the year. The annual temperature is about 26ºC and the summer and winter temperatures are 46ºC
and 22ºC respectively. The relative humidity is 70-75 %. The rainfall in south Gujarat is 400-2500 mm. The number
of rainy days is more than 65 (21). The study area is rich in terms of floral biodiversity point of view (22). The Forest
Survey of India was prepared a vegetation type/land use map on 1:50,000 scale and also prepared crown density map
using two different season satellite data (23). Study area has three wildlife sanctuaries (WLS) viz., Jambughoda WLS
in Vadodara district, Shoolpaneshwar WLS in Narmada district and Purna WLS in The Dangs district and Vansda
National Park in Navsari district (24). The critically endangered plant species are: Sterculia guttata, Toona ciliata and
Wrightia dolichocarpa. The endangered species are Casearia championii, Tamarix aphylla, Melia dubia and Ficus
nervosa. The vulnerable species are Firmiana colorata, Boswellia serrata, Garuga pinnata Ceriops tagal and Ehretia
laevis [(25), (26)].

Fig. I: Location of the study area.

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The IRS P6 LISS-III (Resourcesat - 1) satellite data was procured from
National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC), Balanagar, Hyderabad. The study area has been covered in six scenes of
Resourcesat-1 satellite data (Table I). The two seasons (dry and wet) satellite data was used for optimal discrimination
of various vegetation types/land use. Ortho-rectified Landsat TM scenes with spatial resolution 30m were downloaded
from Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) website (http://glcf.umiacs.umd.edu/). All the scenes were acquired and
geometric and radiometric correction with reference to Landsat TM satellite data. The Root Mean Square Error
(RMSE) 0.005 % error was achieved for all the scenes. The False Colour Composite (FCC) mosaic of Resourcesat-1
data for the study area is shown in Fig. II and Fig. III. The vegetation type/land use map was prepared through on-
screen visual interpretation techniques on 1: 50,000 scale (Fig. IV) (Table II and Table III) with overall mapping
accuracy was found to be 87.78 %. The rainfall data obtained from Indian Meteorological Department
(www.imd.gov.in) was used for interpretation of different ranges of rainfall in the south Gujarat. On the basis of these
G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 22

rainfall ranges different forest types was identified and interpreted. The ancillary data of Survey of India toposheet
(SOI) on 1:2, 50,000 scale and spatial datasets of Elevation data from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM),
90m spatial resolution was used to association in vegetation type discrimination. The road and railway network were
prepared line mode and settlement in the point mode. The road, rail and settlement were used for communication
network in the study.

Table I: Satellite imagery used in the present study.

Date of pass Satellite Path/row Sensor Spatial

(Resourcesat-1) (LISS-III) resolution (m)
19 Oct. 93-56 23.5
&
04 May 2006
19 Oct. -do- 93-57 -do- -do-
&
10 Apr. 2006
24 Oct. -do- 94-56 -do- -do-
&
09 May 2006
24 Oct. -do- 94-57 -do- -do-
&
09 May 2006
24 Oct. -do- 94-58 -do- -do-
&
15 Apr. 2006
10 Oct. -do- 95-57 -do- -do-
&
20 Apr. 2006

Fig. II: False Color Composite (Wet Season).

G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 23

Fig. III: False Color Composite (Dry season)

Fig. IV: Vegetation type/land use map.

G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 24

S.No. Vegetation types Area (km2) Area (%)

1. Teak mixed moist deciduous forest 243.010 3.780
2. Teak mixed dry deciduous forest 4718.540 73.405
3. Mangrove forest 32.900 0.512
4. Mangrove scrub 75.400 1.173
5. Riverain forest 0.160 0.002
6. Ravine thorn forest 144.290 2.245
7. Forest plantation 19.530 0.304
8. Degraded forest 0.360 0.006
9. Scrub 912.380 14.194
10. Prosopis juliflora 257.850 4.011
11. Grassland 19.100 0.297
12. Orchard 4.560 0.071
Total 6428.080 100
Table II: Area covers under different vegetation types

S.No. Land use Area (km2) Area (%)

1. Agriculture 20452.350 81.591
2. Barren land 77.030 0.307
3. Mine 72.490 0.289
4. Mudflat 109.300 0.436
5. Salt-affected land 605.430 2.415
6. Salt pan 169.500 0.676
7. Waterbody 3021.550 12.054
8. Wetland 33.090 0.132
9. Settlement 526.190 2.099
Total 25066.930 100.000
Table III: Area covers under different land use types

3.1 CLASSIFICATION SCHEME: The vegetation type can be defined as an embodiment of unique
physiognomy, structure, and floristic (intrinsic factors) influenced by climate, topography and anthropogenic factors
(extrinsic factors). The classification scheme follows hierarchical approach where in climatically driven forest
ecosystems systems with distinct physiognomy and phenology are primarily classified as type groups. These type
groups are further subdivided into sub groups based on dominant compositional patterns, region and location specific
formations controlled by edaphic and disturbance conditions (27). The vegetation classification system is organized to
facilitate accounting the species and habitat diversity, ecological uniqueness and naturalness of the study areas (28).
The primary classification is to separate natural and semi natural systems from cultivated and managed systems. The
natural and semi natural systems are classified in to forests, scrub/scrublands, orchards and grasslands based on degree
of tree cover. The cultivated and managed systems are classified into, croplands, long fallow/barren lands and water
bodies. The forest class is then subdivided into mixed forest formations, gregarious species formations, locale specific
formations, degraded/successional formations and plantations (29). The sub classification under these classes is kept
open ended to facilitate inclusion of during the September 2008 to May 2012 as many as classes possible. Ground
truthing was done to get acquainted with the general patterns of vegetation types of the study area. Major vegetation
types and important localities of characteristic types were recorded. The variation and tonal patterns were observed on
Resourcesat-1 images, stratified random sampling was done in the various vegetation types, delineating similar such
areas across the entire scene. The image templates were also evaluated across the scenes for the degree of conformity
and to maintain uniformity across the scenes. Phytosociological/vegetational data of 157 sample plots was utilized in
the study. To facilitate the on-screen visual interpretation, some site-specific vegetation types were identified and
image chips was extracted from corresponding Resoursesat-1 scenes. All unique image templates along with field
information and photographs were made as geospatially referenced and interpretation key database for delineating
similar such areas across the entire scene.
G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 25

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study area has been covered in six scenes of Resourcesat-1 satellite
data (Table I). The two season (dry and wet) satellite data were used for optimal discrimination of phenological
changes in different vegetation types in the study area. All the scenes were acquired geometric and radiometric
correction with reference to Land` was achieved for all the scenes. The False Colour Composite (FCC) mosaic of
Resourcesat-1 data for the study was used. An interpretation key was prepared for the study area based on the tonal
characteristics, these are: shape, size, tone, texture, color, association, pattern, and shadowed. The rainfall data was
used to Indian Meteorological Department (www.imd.gov.in) for interpretation of different ranges of rainfall in the
south Gujarat for delineation of different vegetation types. A vegetation types/land use was mapped from Resourcesat-
1 using on-screen visual interpretation approach. The vegetation types in south Gujarat are: Teak mixed dry deciduous
forest, Teak mixed moist deciduous forest, Mangrove forest, Mangrove scrub, Riverain forest, Forest plantation,
Ravine thorn forest, Degraded forest, P. juliflora, Scrub, Grassland and Orchard among vegetation classes and
Agriculture, Barren land, Mine, Mud-flat, Salt-affected land, Salt-pan, Waterbody, Wetland and Settlement among
land use classes were mapped using satellite data. Table II and Table III show the area covered by different vegetation
types and land use classes in the study area. The maximum area covered by Teak mixed dry deciduous forest (73.405
%) followed by Scrub (14.194 %), P. juliflora (4.011 %) and Teak mixed moist deciduous forest (3.780 %)
respectively. In land use categories maximum area covered by Agriculture (81.591 %) followed by waterbody
(12.054 %), Salt-affected land (2.415 %) and Settlement (2.099 %). The vegetation types together account for 20.40
percent of the total geographical area of south Gujarat. The satellite-based vegetation types are compared with
equivalent Champion and Seth classification scheme (1968). These are: Tropical moist deciduous forest (3B/C1),
Tropical dry deciduous forest (5A/C1), Tropical thorn forest (6B), Littoral and swamp forest (4A/L1) (27). The
accuracy of the vegetation type/land use map was assessed. The overall accuracy was found to be 87.78 percent with a
khat coefficient 0.85. The description of different vegetation types is described below along with species composition.

4.1 TEAK MIXED MOIST DECIDUOUS FOREST: The rainfall in this forest type are 1800-2500 mm, deep alluvial
often clayey soils low up to 10 % of teak, very dense evergreen undergrowth, little natural regeneration, fires nil and
grazing negligible. In the teak bearing forests Tectona gradis is the most characteristics species independently of its
economic importance wherever the soil permits. In the top canopy it is generally associated with Terminalia
tomentosa, Pterocarpus marsupium, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Haldina cordifolia is often present through tending
to indicate drier conditions and Dalbergia latifolia is the same characteristics. The Xylia xylocarpa, Schleichera
oleosa and Careya arborea are common, mainly in the second storey. The Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus
strictus are only appearing at the dry end, as noted; however, bamboos are not invariably present (Plate I). It covers
243.01 km2 (3.780 %) forest area of south Gujarat. The forest area was found along the Sahayadri hill ranges in The
Dangs and Valsad districts of south Gujarat.

4.2 TEAK MIXED DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST: The Rainfall of this area is 1000-1250 mm. The canopy is fairly
complete and the trees are sufficiently large, tall and well grown to yield sawn timber. The upper canopy in the climax
type is closed though usually rather uneven and not very dense one. It is formed by a mixture of trees practically all of
which are deciduous during the dry season, usually for several months, though some for a short period only. Most of
the species also occur in the moist deciduous forest where they reach finer development. The height of the trees in the
dry deciduous forest is 12-20 m. The lower canopy is likewise almost entirely deciduous as although evergreens or
sub-evergreens are present they are inconspicuous and mainly confined to the moister and more sheltered spots. The
teak of the 3rd and 4th site quality is included, and the occurrence of teak in any quantity is indicative of the type. The
majority of the tree species occurring in this type coppice freely when felled. Dry shallow soils on hill-sides are
particularly favoured and the change from the moist deciduous forest is often quite sharp as one leaves the moister
valleys. The dominant species are: Tectona gradis, Boswellia ameero, Anogeissus latifolia, Sterculia urens,
Cochlospermum religiosum, Acacia catechu, and occasionally Anogeissus pendula. It covers 4718.540 km2 (73.405
%) forest areas of south Gujarat.

4.3 RAVINE THORN FOREST: The type occurs in the less arid portions of the regional distribution of the thorn
forest, typically with about 600-750 mm annual rainfall on intensively drained ground and dry porous soils. It gives
way to the semi desert type where the rainfall decreases. The ground is usually broken either as the result of gully
erosion of unconsolidated and intercalated alluvial soils or a low hilly configuration. The soil is often very shallow in
the former type through the formation of hard limestone pan not far below the surface; elsewhere stiff yellow clay may
create similar conditions. It covers 144.290 km2 (2.245 %) forest area of south Gujarat. This type is very resemble its
counterpart, the southern Acacia thorn forest, consisting of a mixture of small thorny trees in which Acacia nilotica is
conspicuous, with a more or less complete grass cover. The dominant species are Acacia nilotica, Butea monosperma,
Prosopis juliflora, Balanites aegyptica and Ziziphus mauritiana.

4.4 MANGROVE FOREST: A close evergreen forest of moderate height is composed of trees specially adapted to
survive on tidal mud, which is permanently wet with salt water and submerged during every tide. In the river deltas
G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 26

along the edges, creeks of saline water bodies and sheltered muddy coasts the mangrove forest and mangrove scrub
was find out. The mangrove forests have small to medium size trees mostly on ground and on saline mud flat just
adjoining the sea coasts which get inundated during high tides. The high tide salt water is reached in the forest and
never has time to dry out. Stilt roots are in main characteristics of Rhizophora mucronata Lam. It covers 32.900
km2 (0.512 %) forest area of south Gujarat. The dominant species in this forest type are: Avicennia marina, A. alba, A.
officinalis, Bruguiera cylindrica, B. gymnorrhiza, Excoecaria agallocha, Kandelia candel, Lumnitzera racemosa,
Aegiceras corniculatum, Sonneratia apetala, Ceriops tagal, C. decandra, and Rhizophora mucronata etc.,
(Plate II).

4.5 MANGROVE SCRUB: There is evidently a succession from the mangrove scrub to forest, and then though salt
water to brackish water mixed forest as soil deposition progresses. From this stage there is often retrogression to rather
drier types with monsoon flooding only. Khan has given a useful summary of information and views on the ecology of
tidal forest (30). In mangrove scrub the crown density in more or less than 10 % and average height is 3-6 m. The
mangrove species are few and markedly gregarious. All species are in evergreen with leathery leaves and usually in
vivipary conditions. It covers 75.400 km2 (1.173 %) forest area of south Gujarat. The dominant species in this forest
type are: Avicennia marina, A. officinalis, A. alba, Acanthus ilicifolius, and Rhizophora mucronata etc.

4.6 RIVERAIN FOREST: An irregular over wood of greater height than the climax dry deciduous forest, and the
trees often being of larger size and forming patches and strips with varying amounts of smaller trees and shrubby
under growth. The foliage is more or less evergreen in several of the chief dominants. The soil is often bare sand,
which may first be colonized by shrubs or grasses. The narrow strips along the hilly section of the larger stream in the
dry deciduous forest wider as the valley get broader and extending into the moist deciduous type also. A light sandy
soil often overly more or less impervious rocks, Deccan trap being liable to temporarily submerged during the short
monsoon period and usually retaining adequate water supplies most of the year. Air temperature must be relatively
high owing to radiation from the exposed rock and sand. Riverain forest is found in adjoining Ambica, Purna, and
Mahi rivers. It covers 0.160 km2 (0.002 %) forest area of south Gujarat. The dominant species in the forest type are:
Syzygium heyneanum, Terminalia arjuna, Pongamia pinnata, Holoptelea integrifolia, Tamarix dioica, Ficus
amplissima and Vitex negundo etc.

4.7 GRASSLAND: According to Dabadghao, the dominant grass cover in the dry deciduous zone is Sehima
nervosum-Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf (31). It covers 19.100 km2 (0.297 %) area of south Gujarat. In south
Gujarat other grass are also noticed during the field work these grasses are: Apluda mutica L., Aristida adscensionis
L., A. funiculate Trin & Rupr., Arthraxon lanceolatus (Roxb.) Hochst., Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf.

4.8 SCRUB: Shrub land or scrubland or scrub or brush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominated
by shrubs, often also including grasses, herbs, and geophytes. Shrub land may either occur naturally or be the result of
human activity. It may be the mature vegetation type in a particular region and remain stable over time, or a
transitional community that occurs temporarily as the result of a disturbance, such as fire. A stable state may be
maintained by regular natural disturbance such as fire or browsing. Scrub land may be unsuitable for human habitation
because of the danger of fire. Scrub land species generally show a wide range of adaptations to fire, such as heavy
seed production, lignotubers, and fire-induced germination. Scrub found as part of dry deciduous mixed forests where
patches of scrub remain stunted with sparsely present bamboos. Such type is present throughout dry deciduous forests
of the south Gujarat. It covers 912.380 km2 (14.194 %) forest area of south Gujarat. The dominant species in this type
are: Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst. ex A.Rich.,
Cassia fistula L., Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand.

4.9 PROSOPIS JULIFLORA: Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., is a shrub or small tree native to Mexico, South America
and the Caribbean. It has become established as a weed in Asia, Australia and other continents. Its uses include forage,
wood and environmental management. The tree grows to a height of up to 12 m and has a trunk with a diameter of up
to 1.2 m. Its roots are able to grow to a great depth in search of water. Prosopis juliflora scrub is an exotic species,
covers maximum area in south Gujarat. The major patch of this type was easily identified in the Alia Bet of Bharuch
district, south Gujarat. It covers 257.850 km2 (4.011 %) area of south Gujarat.

4.10. OTHER VEGETATION AND LAND USES: An orchard includes the fruit plants cultivated along with the
agricultural field. Orchards were mostly concentrated in Valsad and Navsari districts of south Gujarat. The Valsad
district is famous for Cheku (Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen) and Navsari district is famous for Mango (Mangifera
indica L.). Ravi crop and current fallow lands were mapped under single class -agriculture. Major land uses in the
south Gujarat are occupied by agriculture 20452.350 km2 (81.591 %). Other land uses are: waterbody 3021.550 km2
(12.054 %), salt-affected land 605.430 km2 (2.415 %) and settlements 526.190 km2 (2.099 %). The dominant crops in
the south Gujarat are: cotton, maize, banana, Barley, Jowar, Pulses, Mustard, Maize, and Bajra are the main crops.
G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 27

Operational estimation systems are in place everywhere to derive single and multiple crop areas from satellite remote
sensing (Plate-III).

5. CONCLUSION: It is expected that the satellite imagery (dry and wet season), rainfall data, road, rail and
settlement layer and vegetation type/land use map will find their place in the planning process of the premier
organizations, viz., Forest Department, Botanical and Zoological Survey of India, Universities/Institutions and non-
governmental organizations. These maps will also be useful in detailed inventory of floral components, coastal zone
management, ecotourism planning, and in the studies related to forest ecology, in addition to updating of forest
working and management plans. The present delineation of vegetation types/land use classes was attempted at
1:50,000 scale using medium resolution satellite imagery. At this scale, all the major vegetation classes could be
mapped. However, there are classes which have narrow spatial extent but cover considerable area under them. Hence,
the use of higher spatial resolution satellite data and higher mapping scale are recommended. The study made an
attempt to quantify (on sample basis) the flora of the south Gujarat. The existing literature on the occurrence of
valuable plant species and the knowledge gathered through the present research work authenticate the species habitat
relationship, ethno-botanical uses and potential species distribution in the forest ecosystems. A comprehensive south
Gujarat species database was prepared. The study also characterizes and ranks the habitats by plant species status i.e.,
rare, endangered, threatened, vulnerable and endemic elements. This kind of locale-specific information on species is
of priority utility in planning for necessary in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures. The study was carried out at
landscape level using 23.5m resolution LISS-III data and the information generated is applicable only at this level.
Applying this information at local level directly is not recommended. The biological systems are highly dynamic. This
calls for the information gathering at intervals matching with dynamism of the system. It is felt that an analysis of this
magnitude is warranted every five years. Overall the study attempted to address the major issues concerning the
biodiversity conservation planning in south Gujarat taking into account a three-pronged approach i.e., use of
geospatial techniques, landscape analysis and field inventory. The study puts forward a rapid and flexible
methodology for biodiversity assessment and provides scientific information and direction to the policy makers and
protected area managers.

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The study was supported by joint funding from the Departments of Space and
Biotechnology, Government of India. The authors duly acknowledge to National Remote Sensing Centre, Balanagar,
Hyderabad for provided the satellite data. The authors are thankful to Dr. M.L. Sharma, Ex-Principal Chief
Conservator of Forest, Govt. of Gujarat, Forest Department, Gandhinagar for collaborating in the project. Authors are
also thankful to Chief Conservator of Forest (Working Plans), Vadodara for coordinating the field investigations.

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(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f)
Plate 1: Vegetation types in mainland south Gujarat; (a) Teak mixed dry deciduous forest, (b) Teak mixed moist deciduous forest,
(c) Grassland, (d) Riverain forest, (e) Ravine thorn forest, (f) Scrub.
G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 30

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f)
Plate II: Coastal and other vegetation; (a) Mangrove forest, (b) Mangrove scrub, (c) Prosopis juliflora, (d) Forest plantation,
(e) Degraded forest, (f) Agriculture.
G.D. Bhatt et al. / International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, Vol.1, No. 1 31

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f)

Plate III: Different land uses in south Gujarat (a) Dry mud flat (b) Mine (c) Salt-affected land (d) Salt pan (e) Barren land
(f) Waterbody.

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