Application of GIS on the Selection of Taiwania Plantation
Yeong-Kuan Chen* Chi-Chuan Cheng* and Jiin-Woei liaw**
Abstract
In this study, the Experimental Forest of National Taiwan University (EFNTU) was selected as the study site. First, the subwatersheds within the EFNTU were delineated automatically, then the entire area was classified into economical forest land and noneconomical forest land using multivariate statistical methods. In the economical forest land, the geographic information system was applied to select suitable planting sites for Taiwania. The results indicated that:
Multivariate statistical methods, such as factor analysis, clustering analysis, and discriminant analysis, can be used to categorize economical forest land and non-economical forest land effectively. The protected forest for water conservation within the economical forest land effectively. The protected forest for water conservation within the economical forest land was delineated, and the suitable planting sites were selected.
Within the economical forest land, the suitable planting sites for Taiwania were selected. The largest proportion (28.09%) of suitable planting sites was found in compartment 2, and compartment 22 had the second largest proportion (20.37%). When compared in subwatersheds, unit 75 (located in compartment 2) had the largest proportion (64.32%), and unit 78 (located in compartment 22) followed with (59%).
Traditionally, the Taiwania plantation was selected based on field experience. In contrast to the traditional measure, this study utilized the environmental factors to select suitable planting sites for Taiwania. This method was found to be helpful for forest resources manager in planning plantation.
Keywords:
Forest land classification, geographic information system, multivariate statistical analysis.
*Professor, Forestry Department, NTU
**Graduate Student, Forestry Department, NTU