Journal article
Change in vegetation cover in East Timor, 1989-1999
Natural Resources Forum, Vol.28(1), pp.1-12
2004
Abstract
Forest resources play a key role and provide many basic needs to communities in developing economies. To assess the patterns of vegetation cover change, as a corollary of resource utilization, satellite imagery, ground truth data, and image processing techniques can be useful. This article is concerned with identifying change in major vegetation types in East Timor between 1989 and 1999, using Landsat Thematic Mapper data. The results highlight a significant level of deforestation and decline in foliage cover. All major vegetation cover types declined from 1989 to 1999, and there was a sizeable increase in degraded woodlands. This decline has had considerable impact on the livelihoods of rural and urban communities. Causes for these changes include: economic exploitation of abundant resources; and implications of transmigration policies implemented during Indonesian rule, resulting in increased competition for land and woodland resources. As the new nation of Timor-Leste establishes itself, it must consider its current stock and distribution of natural capital to ensure that development efforts are geared towards sustainable outcomes. Without the knowledge of historical patterns of resource consumption, development efforts may, unwittingly, lead to continuing decline in forest resources.
Details
- Title
- Change in vegetation cover in East Timor, 1989-1999
- Authors/Creators
- G. Bouma (Author/Creator)H.T. Kobryn (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Natural Resources Forum, Vol.28(1), pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Butterworth Scientific Ltd.
- Identifiers
- 991005543322907891
- Copyright
- © 2004 United Nations
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Environmental Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Citation topics
- 4 Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Computer Science
- 4.169 Remote Sensing
- 4.169.91 Vegetation Mapping
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- ESI research areas
- Social Sciences, general