Date of Award

8-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Degree Program

Geography

Department

Geography

Major Professor

Johnson, Merrill

Second Advisor

Yaukey, Peter

Third Advisor

Maret, Isabelle

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze deforestation using multi spectral satellite imagery in a region of Veracruz and Puebla Mexico. A smaller study area in a subtropical region in Veracruz was used to relate changes in forest cover to changes in land-uses within the smaller region. A land-use classification was created for this study that includes fallow/barren, subsistence agriculture, sugar cane, urban/settlement, grazing lands and other vegetation. A change detection was performed to analyze the extent of each land-use encroaching into forests between 1979 and 2002. Another objective of the study is to examine the seasonal variation of forest growth in the study area and how this variation may affect the utility of remote-sensing technology in tracking deforestation. The study area experienced considerable forest change between 1979 and 2002. It appears that land-use change in the region is being driven by socioeconomic factors that relate to forest degradation.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

Download

Share

COinS