Evaluation of biological richness using Remote Sensing and GIS-A case study of Birsa Munda Zoological park, Jharkhand,India
Laying Out Of First Plot: The length and width of each subgrid is measured to smallest
convenient scale and the length of the side of the plot is calculated.
If x and y be the length and width of the grid and (d) the side of the plot, then side (d) is
subtracted from both sides to get x-d and y-d. Let these numbers be x´ and y´. Two random
numbers are selected, one in the range of 0 to x´ and the other in the range of 0 to y´. Let these
random numbers be a and b respectively. Then (d/2) is added in each to find a+d/2 and b+d/2.
Then (a+d/2, b+d/2) gives the coordinates of the first plot centre in the subgrid considering left
bottom corner of the grid as origin of the axes.
Laying Out of Second Plot To locate the centre of the second plot, the first plot centre is joined
to the grid centre and this line is extended on the opposite quadrant and marked at a distance
equal to the grid centre. This point would be the centre of the second plot.
After deciding the plot number and grid number to be surveyed, the co-ordinates of the centre of
the plot is recorded with the help of GPS. This is followed by marking the plot centre with a flag
pole enumerating the Plot No. and the Grid No.
After fixing plot centre, the North East, South East, North West and South West corners of the
plot are fixed. Small poles mark these four corners. The dimensions of the plot are rechecked.
Information is collected and recorded methodically in a descriptive manner for Herb, Shrub and
trees.The herbs chosen is not exceeding 1.0 m height with soft stem and shrubs not exceeding
4.60 m in height with woody stem.
Care is taken that young regeneration of trees species is not duplicated in these categories.
Specimens of unidentified herbs and shrubs are collected along with root, shoot, etc. and got
identified from renound botanists of the region.
Calculation Of Biological Richness The species richness which is the number of species in a
sample per unit area shall be calculated by Menhinich Index (D) (after Menhinich, 1964) (citied in
Ref 1).D = Total no.of species
Total no. of individuals In the habitat
Higher the value of D, greater the species richness.
Creation of a GIS Database SystemOnce the species are identified and the richness
calculated, a GIS of the information gathered shall be prepared within the park with the aim to
provide the graphic display of a location, with the species information.This will be done using the
s/w ArcInfo 8.0.2
Landuse/ Landcover of the area is surrounding the park. The supervised classification on the
LISS III imagery will be carried out on ERDAS IMAGINE 8.2 s/w to compare the the landuse and
landcover of the surrounding area lying within a radial distance of 5 km. with respect to the park.
Discussions
Once the Biological Richness is evaluated and its comparision made with the neighbouring area,
it would help in understanding the complexities of the problems related to the biodiversity at
landscape level, (Navalgund, R,R 2001), support management decision making for large areas of
land with complex resource and management mandates. (Carroll,C.S. isprs commission iv).
Reference
- Crista S Carroll, Hinrichen, D., Morain, S.A., Spatial Modeling and Monitoring of Biodiversity
Using Biophysical Land units (BLU) pp 757. Proceedings of ISPRS Commission No IV
- Forest Survey of India ,1999, Training Course for RFO’s on application of Remote Sensing, GIS
inventory and data processing in forest resources assessment 03-28 May 1999, Course Material.
- Jeyapalan, K., GIS for a small city using GPS & Photogrammetry. pp. 627
- Kushwaha, S,P,S., Behera, M.D.,and Roy, P.S. (2000), Assessment of Biological Richness in
Subansiri District using RS and GIS , Proceedings of Workshop on Biodiversity & Environment
RS & GIS Perspective jontly organised by IIRS,Dehradun and ITC Netherlands, held at IIRS
Dehradun. Puplished by IIRS, Dahradun .2000 pp153-158,
- Navalgund R R (2000) ,Proceedings of Workshop on Biodiversity & Environment RS & GIS
Perspective jontly organised by IIRS,Dehradun and ITC Netherlands, held at IIRS Dehradun.
Puplished by IIRS, Dahradun .2000 .pp.v
- Roy P.S. Singh, S., Hegde, V.S. (2000) Biodiversity characterization at landscape level using
Satellite Remote Sensing & GIS System . Proceedings of Workshop on Biodiversity &
Environment RS & GIS Perspective jontly organised by IIRS,Dehradun and ITC Netherlands, held
at IIRS Dehradun. Puplished by IIRS, Dahradun .2000 .pp.30,41
- Slobring O.T, (1991) Biodiversity Scientific issues and collaborative Research proposals
Published by the UNESCO ,place du Fontenory ,Paris.
