Objective:

The primary project objective is to determine whether the spatial distribution, shape, and size of Polylepis spp. forest patches in three valleys within the the Huascaran Biosphere Reserve have changed between 1962 and 1996. The project will then determine whether spatial change is correlated to ecological data on the structural characteristics of forest patches, and land-use practices within the valley.

Project Description:

Polylepis spp. forests are high altitude forests found in a patchy distribution throughout the Andes range. Currently managers are unsure whether the distribution and size of the remaining forest patches is changing. This project will combine GIS and Remote Sensing Digital Image processing technologies to spatially analyze polylepis forest cover change in three study valleys. Only a handful of studies have been completed which assess the biogoegraphy of the species using GIS and Remote Sensing. This micro-scale analysis will provide information to the Peruvian National Park service which is needed to design more sophisticated management practices for the forests within the Biosphere Reserve.

 

Personnel:

Ankur Tohan
Department of Geography
aktohan@students.wisc.edu

Jeff Smith
Department of Geography
gdsmith@students.wisc.edu 

Karen Archabald
Department of Geography
klarchabald@students.wisc.edu