Remote sensing and GIS technology in assessing status fluctuation of dipterocarp forest in Yok Don National Park

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Yok Don National Park with the GIS and remote sensing technology to assess the dipterocarp forest status. The maps of the current status and changes of dipterocarp forest status were developed for the 2001–2010, 2010–2020, and 2001–2020 periods with the kappa coefficient from 0,76 to 0,82, the User’s Accuracy and the Producer’s Accuracy reaching over 70%. Analysis data show that from 2001 to 2020, the area of ​​dipterocarp forest decreased from 104,239.74 ha in 2001 to 102,062.53 ha in 2010 and 95,955.23 ha in 2020. The impoverished dipterocarp forest decreased by 2,692.16 ha; the medium and rich dipterocarp forests decreased by 8,805.99 ha; the poor dipterocarp forest increased by 3,213.64 ha. The primary causes of the changes include the management and protection of the park, the recovery of forest over time, the illegal exploitation of forest products, and the impacts of living, working and production activities of people in the core and buffer zones areas.