A GIS evaluation of land use dynamics and forest soil fertility in a watershed in Nepal |
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| Authors: | Margaret G. Schmidt Hans E. Schreier Pravakar B. Shah |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Geography , Simon Fraser University , Burnaby, B.C., V5A 1S6, Canada;2. Department of Soil Science , University of British Columbia , Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada;3. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development , Kathmandu, Nepal |
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| Abstract: | Abstract A geographical information system (GIS) based study was carried out in a densely-populated watershed in Nepal. An evaluation of land use change between 1972 and 1990 indicated that there has been an increase in forest and agricultural land area and a decrease in shrubland and grassland area. GIS techniques were used to produce single and composite fertility index maps, which can be used for problem identification and planning. These maps indicate that forest soil fertility is generally poor in the watershed. GIS was found to be very beneficial in addressing critical resource issues in small watersheds in developing countries. |
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