Sains Malaysiana 43(3)(2014): 349–358

Landform Classification for Site Evaluation and Forest Planning: Integration between Scientific Approach and Traditional Concept

(Pengelasan Bentuk Muka Bumi bagi Tujuan Penilaian Kawasan dan Perancangan Hutan: Integrasi antara Pendekatan Sains dan Konsep Tradisi)

AZITA AHMAD ZAWAWI¹³*, MASAMI SHIBA²& NOOR JANATUN NAIM JEMALI¹

¹The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan

²Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara 903-0213, Okinawa

Japan

³Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Received: 29 January 2013/Accepted: 11 July 2013

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we present an automated classification method of landform elements using an application of SAGA GIS software. The spatial assessment was done on the Yambaru forest area (YFA) in the northernmost part of Okinawa Island, Japan. This task is performed through the detailed elevation grid analyses from DTM of YFA with a spatial scale of 10 × 10 m² supported by The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. The classification has ten classes; high ridges, mid slope ridges, upland drainage, upper slopes, open slopes, plains, valleys, local ridges, midslope drainage and streams. Classes were defined using the 'topographical position index' module and selected terrain variables were integrated to vegetation data for site evaluation. Information on terrain characteristics is very important to explain geographical constraints and map variability of natural resources in maintaining sustainable forest management as well as supporting decision making processes. Taking this into account, we adapted a traditional concept of forest terrain introduced by Sai On, a council member of the Ryukyu Kingdom (former name of Okinawa Island) when evaluating the potential site for forestry use.

Keywords: Automated; DTM; landform; Okinawa Island; SAGA

ABSTRAK

Dalam makalah ini, kami membentangkan kaedah pengelasan kawasan dan unsur bentuk muka bumi dengan menggunakan aplikasi perisian SAGA GIS. Penilaian reruang telah dijalankan ke atas kawasan hutan Yambaru, yang terletak di bahagian utara Pulau Okinawa, Jepun. Tugasan ini dijalankan melalui analisis terperinci grid ketinggian muka bumi (DTM) dengan skala 10 × 10 m², yang disediakan oleh Lembaga Penyebaran Maklumat Geospatial Jepun. Bentuk muka bumi telah dibahagikan kepada sepuluh kelas. Maklumat mengenai ciri bentuk muka bumi sesebuah kawasan adalah sangat penting bagi menerangkan kekangan geografi yang wujud dan untuk pemetaan kepelbagaian sumber semula jadi; sebagai salah satu langkah untuk mengekalkan pengurusan hutan mapan selain menyokong proses pembuatan keputusan oleh pihak berwajib. Dalam kajian ini, kami turut mengadaptasi konsep tradisi pengelasan kawasan hutan yang telah diperkenalkan oleh Sai On, iaitu seorang ahli majlis di kepulauan Ryukyus (nama asal bagi Pulau Okinawa).

Kata kunci: Automatis; bentuk muka bumi; DTM; Pulau Okinawa; SAGA

REFERENCES

Arnot, R.H. & Grant, K. 1981. The application of a method for terrain analysis to functional land-capability assessment and aesthetic landscape appreciation. Landscape Planning 8: 269-300.

Azanon, J.M., Delgado, J. & Gomez, A. 2001. Morphological terrain classification and analysis using geostatistical techniques. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences 34.

Bailey, R.G. 1987. Suggested hierarchy of criteria for multi-scale ecosystem mapping. Landscape Urban Planning 14: 313-319.

Barka, I., Vladovic, J. & Malis, F. 2011. Landform classification and its application in predictive mapping of soil and forest units. Proceedings: GIS Ostrava 2011.

Blaszczynski, J.S. 1997. Landform characterization with geographic information system. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 63(2): 183-191.

Bocco, G., Velazquez, A. & Mendoza, M. 2001. GIS based regional geomorphological mapping for land use planning. Geomorphology 39: 211-219.

Chen, B. & Nakama, Y. 2011. Distribution of Fukugi (Garcinia subelliptica) trees as landscaping trees in traditional villages in Ryukyu Islands in Japan. Pacific Agriculture and Natural Resources 3: 14-22.

Cheng, C.C., Chen, Y.K., Jan, J.F. & Wang, S.F. 2005. DTM, GIS, and DSS application in forestland ecosystem classification and suitability analysis. Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 10: 351-360.

Conrad, O. 2006. SAGA-Program structure and current state of implementation. In SAGA-Analysis and Modelling Applications, edited by Böhner, J., McCloy, K.R. & Strobl, J. Germany: Verlag Erich Goltze GmbH. 15: 39-52.

Dikau, R. 1989. The application of a digital relief model to landform analysis. In Three Dimensional Applications in Geographical Information Systems, edited by Raper, J.F. London: Taylor and Francis.

Duryea, M. & Kampf, E. 2007. Selecting Tropical and Subtropical Tree Species for Wind Resistance. Presentation for the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovering Program. School of Forest Resources and Conservation and the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. University of Florida, USA.

Dragut, L. & Blaschke, T. 2006. Automated classification of landform elements using object-base image analysis. Geomorphology 81: 330-344.

Fabian, C.J. 2004. Application of a digital terrain model for land classification and soil survey. MS Thesis. University of Missouri- Columbia (unpublished).

Gardner, T.W., Sawowsky, K.S. & Day, R.L.1990. Automated extraction of geomorphometric properties from digital elevation data. Geomorphology 80: 57-68.

Hauser, R.K., Whiteman, C.D. & Allwine, K.J. 1994. Short-tower measurements in the Colorado plateaus region. Proceedings: 8th Joint Conference on Applications of Air Pollution Meteorology.

Hutchinson, M.F. & Gallant, J.C. 2000. Digital elevation models and representation of terrain shape. In Terrain Analysis, edited by Wilson, J.P. & Gallant, J.C. New York: John Wiley.

Ito, Y. 2003. Forest insect population dynamics and host influences. Proceedings: IUFRO Kanazawa IUFRO Kanazawa. Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved March 1, 2012.

Jenness, J. 2005. Topographic Position Index. Extension for ArcView 3.x. http://jennessent.com

Jenness, J. 2006. Topographic Position Index extension for ArcView 3.x, v.1.3a In: Barka, I., Vladovic, J. & Malis, Frantisek. 2011. Landform classification and its application in predictive mapping of soil and forest units. Proceedings: GIS Ostrava 2011

Kerr, G.H. 2000. Okinawa: The History of an Island People. USA: Tuttle Publishing.

Kohler, T. & Breu, T. 2005. GIS based watershed classification in the Lower Mekong Basin. Watershed Classification Project. Vietnam Center for Development and Environment.

Kojima, T. 1980. Forest soil in Okinawa – soil classification, property, distribution and vegetation. Research Bulletin FFPRI 309: 117-157.

Kubota, Y., Murata, H. & Kikuzawa, K. 2004. Effects of topographic heterogeneity on tree species richness and stand dynamics in a subtropical forest in Okinawa Island, southern Japan. Journal of Ecology 92: 230-240.

Manap, M.A., Ramli, M.F., Sulaiman, W.N.A. & Surip, N. 2010. Application of remote sensing in the identification of the geological terrain features in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana 39(1): 1-11.

McKenzie, N.J., Gessler, P.E., Ryan, P.J. & O'Connell, D.A. 2000. The role of terrain analysis in soil mapping. In Terrain Analysis, edited by Wilson, A. & Gallant, J.C. New York: John Wiley and Sons. p. 258.

Miller, C.L. & Laflamme, R.A. 1958. The digital terrain model: Theory and application. Photogrammetric Engineering 24: 433-442.

Mikita, T. & Klimanek, M. 2010. Topographic exposure and its practical applications. Journal of Landscape Ecology 3: 42-51.

Nellemann, C. & Gareth, F. 1995. Quantitative analysis of terrain ruggedness in Reindeer Winter Grounds. Arctic 48: 172-176.

Nellemann, C. & Thomsen, M.G. 1994. Terrain ruggedness and caribou forage availability during snowmelt on the Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska. Arctic 47: 361-367.

Purves, J.M., Chen, B. & Nakama, Y. 2009. The secret of forestry: An English translation of the Sanrin Shinpi of Sai On. Scientific Bulletin of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus. 56: 11-12.

Riley, S.J., DeGloria, S.D. & Elliot, R. 1999. A terrain ruggedness index that quantifies topographic heterogeneity. Intermountain Journal of Sciences 5: 23-27.

Sai On. 1768. In: Purves, J., Chen, B., &Nakama, Y. 2009. The secret of forestry: An English translation of the Sanrin Shinpi of Sai On. Scientific Bulletin of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of The Ryukyus. Stage, A.R. & Salas, C. 2007. Interactions of elevation, aspect and slope in models of forest species composition and productivity. Forest Science 53(4): 486-492.

Tagil, S. & Jenness, J. 2008. GIS- based automated landform classification and topographic, Landcover, and geologic attributes of landforms around the Yazoren Polje, Turkey. Journal of Applied Sciences 8(6): 910-921.

Thwaites, R.N. 1995. Forest land resource assessment-The way ahead in Queensland, Australia. Proceedings: SAF/ CIF Convention. Managing forests to meet people's need.

Weiss, A. 2011. Topographic position and landform analysis. Poster presentation, ESRI User Conference, San Diego, CA.

Wilson, J.P. & Gallant, J.C. 2000. Terrain Analysis. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

Yanni, X. 1996. Topographic characterization for DEM error modelling. PhD Dissertation. University of British-Columbia (unpublished).

*Corresponding author; email: azitazawawi@gmail.com