Mapping Forest Functions Using GIS at Plateau Area, Laos

Khitlaxay Kokmila1, Woo-Kyun Lee*, Ochirsukh Badarch1, So-Ra Kim1, Sungho Choi1 and Sunmin Park2

1Devision of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 136-713, Korea
2Department of Environmental Science and Climate Change, Korea University, Seoul, 136-713, Korea

 

Abstract
Deforestation and forest degradation has continuously increased by natural processes and also by human activities in Laos. Sustainable management of forest watershed is an important policy of Laos government for keeping forest area from deforestation and forest degradation. Forest function is an important key for forest management. This study present process of classify forest function for improving forestry agriculture, and livelihood standard in Champasak province, Bolivian plateau area. It is arable land supporting agriculture and protecting watershed. Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to classify and map three functions namely conservation forest, protection forest and production forest. These functions will be then linked for planning watershed management, improving forestry, agriculture and water supply system in rural forest areas.
Key words : forest functions; forest management; GIS; Bolivian plateau area; watershed management