Integrating Remotely Sensed and Terristrial Data
for Environmental Conservation Management in Tasek Bera, Pahang, Malaysia
Stream Profile Data: The hydrological modeling of the Tasek Bera system requires elevation and slope data which are available on the 20 meter contour topographical maps. Rivers and streams flowing into the lake often extend for many kilometers between 40 meter contour lines without crossing the next contour line, and this marks three- dimensional locational coordinates are also required to enrich the elevation data set before hydrological modeling can be undertaken.
Land Cover Mapping: Land cover mapping in Malaysia has been undertaken for many years using aerial photography from topographical maps, as well as form the present landuse maps produced by the Malaysian Department of Agriculture provide information on land-cover change in the Tasek Bera district. These data classes, however, are insufficient for forestry management in the area, and so black-and-white aeral photography flown at 1:40,000 scale are being interpreted by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) to delineate vegetation zones within the broad forest classes presented in published maps. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery with 30-meter spatial resolution flown in June 1995 has also been analysed. The satellite imagery shows a wealth of information on the water and vegetation classes which when checked on the e ground can be related to variations in the evolution of peat soils and associated vegetation types. Area of disturbed forest caused by shiftin cultivation by the local Semelai communities, logged tracts in various staqges of regeneration, and location of illegal timber felling clearly stand out in the satellite imagery.
Sample Site Selection for Detailed Field Study: The variations in the water-logged soil under various stages of peat formation identified in the satellite imagery are of particular interest. These sites have been targeted for field visitation for soil and vegetation mapping, as well as for sampling for aquatic macrophytes and phytoplankton, and for water quality testing. The same methodology is used for selecting field locations for field test site which will scientifically monitored over time, and compared with other field sites over space.
Monitoring Site and Area-based Change: Satellite-based data taken initially at yearly intervals overTasek Bera will be incorporated into the project's spatial database to enable
changes in the forest cover, quality of vegetation, impact of continued shifting cultivation, and the rate of regeneration of disturbed areas, including legal and illegal logging tracts, to be mapped and measured in the most be collected during the course of day-to-day management of the site, and which will also be incorporated into the overall spatial database.
Socio-Economic and Cultural Mapping: The indigenous communities living within the Tasek Bera Ramsar site are uniquely associated with the resource base of the area. These spatial associations, many of which are dynamic and not static as is the case of the more sedentarised communities living outside the area, will be mapped to better understand the patterns and processes involved, and to take these into account in managing the area for sustainable development.
Developing an Integrated Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for the Management of Tasek Bera:
The Tasek Bera project is generating a large number of geo-referenced database, including: map data, aerial photography and satellite imagery data, field point and area data inculuding text, numerical and image (both still and animation data). These range from biological and environmental to socio-economic and administrative data, and all these need to be integrated into a decision support system which can be used not only for scientific research, but also area management and administration. Following Turban & Meredith (1991), a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) has been designed with an architecture consiting of (1) a Decision Support Model Base, consisting of a range of models including area management software (Countryside Management System partnership 1996), the Wetland Database (Wetland Data Base 1997), a GIS viewer and analysis software (Mapinfo Professional), a remote sensing package (probably Clark University's IDRISI for Windows), as well as statistical and other analysis toold;and finally(3) a Programmed Graphical User Interface (GUI) which enable data and model base management inquiry, data input and information output wetland management sites nationally as wella s worldwide through the Internet's World Wide Web, and this same medium will link the Tasek Bera Area Management Information System to researchers and other throughout the world who are interested in the development of Tasek Bera as a Wetland if International Importance
Reference Cited:
-
Anon.(1987): "Tasek Bera" in Malaysian Wetland Directory (Department of Wildlife asnd National Parks, Peninsular Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur):26-30.
-
Anon.(1996): "Opening Speech By YAB Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad Prime Minister of Malaysia" in summary Report, International Conference on Wetland and Development 9-13 October, 1995, Kuala Lumpur (Wetland International; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia )" 1-2.
-
Anon.(1996a): " Closing Speech By YAB Tan Sri Hj Mohd Khalil Yaakob, Chife Minister of Pahnage" in Summary Report International Conference on Wetland and Development 9-12 October, 1995, Kuala Lumpur (Wetland International Kuaka Lumpur, Malaysia ):59-62.
-
Countryside Management System Partnership (1996) : Countryside Management System (CMS) for Windows, Ver.5 (Countriyside Management System Partnership; Penrhycoch Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, United Kingdom).
- Dorall, Richard (1997): " Using GIS And Remote Sensing For Mapping And Monitoring Of Peat Swamp Forests", paper presented at the Inception Workshop Project 'Conservation And Sustainable Use Of Peat Swamp Forests In Malaysia' 24-25 July 1997, Institute of Postgraduate Studies And Research, University of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur)
- Reggeri, Hanri (1995) Tropical Freshwater Wetland A Guide To Current Knowledge And Sustainable Management (Kkluwer Academic Publishers; Dordrecht, Boston London).
- Turban Efraim & Meredith, Jack r. (1991. Fifth Edition): Fundamental Of Management Science (Irwin Homewood, III & Boston, and MA).
- Wetland Data Base (1997): A User Manual (Directorate General Of Forest Protection And Nature Conservation, Indonesia & Wetland International Programme)
