Feasibility of mapping economically important forest species using Landsat data—a case study

The potentialities of satellite remote sensing for acquiring informations useful for forest management have already been recognised. The analysis of satellite data can provide reconnaissance survey maps showing the spatial distribution of forest type and other useful information of the existing forest resources in the area in very short time. The present study has been carried out in Godavari river Basin, Nallamalai and Seshachalam hiil ranges, which are potential areas for Teak, bamboo and red-sanders respectively. The three Landsat scenes have been analysed using Multispectral Data Analysis System (M-Das) to make maps on 1:250,000 scale. The Computer classified colour coded maps show the spatial distribution of the industrially important species and association with other forest types existing in the area. The results have been discussed in the context of using Landsat data for reconnaissance survey of forest resources at a national level.