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Multitemporal analysis of forest fragmentation in Hindu Kush Himalaya—a case study from Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India

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Abstract

Forests in the mountains are a treasure trove; harbour a large biodiversity; and provide fodder, firewood, timber and non-timber forest products; all of these are essential for human survival in the highest mountains on earth. The present paper attempts a spatiotemporal assessment of forest fragmentation and changes in land use land cover (LULC) pattern using multitemporal satellite data over a time span of around a decade (2000–2009), within the third highest protected area (PA) in the world. The fragmentation analysis using Landscape Fragmentation Tool (LFT) depicts a decrease in large core, edge and patches areas by 5.93, 3.64 and 0.66 %, respectively, while an increase in non-forest and perforated areas by 6.59 and 4.01 %, respectively. The land cover dynamics shows a decrease in open forest, alpine scrub, alpine meadows, snow and hill shadow areas by 2.81, 0.39, 8.18, 3.46 and 0.60 %, respectively, and there is an increase in dense forest and glacier area by 4.79 and 10.65 %, respectively. The change analysis shows a major transformation in areas from open forest to dense forest and from alpine meadows to alpine scrub. In order to quantify changes induced by forest fragmentation and to characterize composition and configuration of LULC mosaics, fragmentation indices were computed using Fragstats at class level, showing the signs of accelerated fragmentation. The outcome of the analysis revealed the effectiveness of geospatial tools coupled with landscape ecology in characterization and quantification of forest fragmentation and land cover changes. The present study provides a baseline database for sustainable conservation planning that will benefit the subsistence livelihoods in the region. Recommendations made based on the present analysis will help to recover forest and halt the pessimistic effects of fragmentation and land cover changes on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the region.

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Acknowledgments

The authors specifically acknowledge Mr. Ravi Singh (Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India) and Dr. Sejal Worah (Programme Director, WWF-India) for facilitating the study. The computational facilities of IGCMC & IT, WWF-India, are used; support to this research is greatly acknowledged by authors. The authors also express their sincere thanks to the staff members of IGCMC Division, WWF-India, for their continuous support and help in carrying out the work. The authors also acknowledge anonymous reviewers and editorial team of the journal for constructive comments and suggestions to improve the quality of manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indira Gandhi Conservation Monitoring Centre, WWF-India, New Delhi, 110003, India

    Mohit Sharma, G. Areendran, Krishna Raj & Ankita Sharma

  2. School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    P. K. Joshi

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  1. Mohit Sharma
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  2. G. Areendran
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  3. Krishna Raj
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  4. Ankita Sharma
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  5. P. K. Joshi
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Correspondence to Mohit Sharma.

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Sharma, M., Areendran, G., Raj, K. et al. Multitemporal analysis of forest fragmentation in Hindu Kush Himalaya—a case study from Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India. Environ Monit Assess 188, 596 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5577-8

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