Applying Gis And Remote Sensing To Determine Potential Distribution Area Of Turtle In Nam Dong Natural Reserve Thanh Hoa Province

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF FORESTRY

STUDENT THESIS

Applying GIS and remote sensing to determine potential distribution

area of Turtle in Nam Dong Natural Reserve, Thanh Hoa province

Major: Natural Resources Management

Code: D850101

Faculty: Forest Resources and Environmental Management

Student: Ho Thu Phuong Student ID: 1553090573

Class: K60 Natural Resources Management Course: 2015 – 2019

Advanced Education Program

Developed in collaboration with Colorado State University, USA

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Tran Quang Bao

Prof. Luca Luiselli

Ha Noi, 2019

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To complete this research, apart from my own efforts, I also receive a lot of

enhance and help from my teachers, organizations and individuals.

First and foremost, I have to thank my first supervisors, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran

Quang Bao. Without his assistance and dedicated involvement in every step

throughout the process, this research would have never been accomplished. I would

like to say thank for his support and understanding.

Also, I would like to thanks for the encouraging words, and suggestions of my

second supervisor Prof. Luca Luiselli and his team in Turtle Sanctuary

Conservation Center for supporting during getting data in field trip and writing

thesis.

My sincere thank also goes to Mr. Pham Van Thong who shed the light for

me to follow this research for my final thesis. It also thanks for your valuable

comments for the manuscript.

I sincerely thank to Vietnam National University of Forestry that has given

me an opportunity to apply the knowledge I learned from the school. I have got new

and useful experience that is helpful for my future work.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my family and my friends for

supporting and encouraging me spiritually throughout my life.

Because of the time limitation as well as my own lack of knowledge and

expertise, certainly the study still has some mistakes. Therefore, I look forward to

receiving the comments, evaluation and feedbacks of lecturers and friends to

enhance the quality of the study and improve not only my professional knowledge

but also the lack of skills in this study.

I sincerely thank all of you!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................1

CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................3

2.1. GIS and remote sensing.......................................................................................................... 3

2.1.1. The concept of GIS, remote sensing and GPS......................................................... 3

2.1.2. Landsat image ............................................................................................................ 4

2.1.3. Status map of forest resources.................................................................................. 5

2.2. Application of remote sensing and GIS in forestry ............................................................. 6

2.2.1. In the world ................................................................................................................ 6

2.2.2. In Viet Nam .............................................................................................................. 10

2.2.3. Application of GIS and Remote sensing in determine habitat species................ 15

CHAPTER 3. STUDY GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY......................18

3.1. Goal and Objectives.............................................................................................................. 18

3.2. Scope ...................................................................................................................................... 18

3.3. Contents................................................................................................................................. 18

3.4. Methodology.......................................................................................................................... 18

3.4.1. Investigate current status in Nam Dong Natural Reserve ................................... 18

3.4.2. Construct thematic maps of distribution of turtle by factors in Nam Dong Natural

Reserve...................................................................................................................... 24

3.4.2.1. Collect primary data .................................................................................. 24

3.4.2.2. Construct thematic maps of distribution of turtle by factors ..................... 27

3.4.3. Conduct suitable habitat map of turtle in Nam Dong Natural Reserve ............. 28

CHAPTER 4. NATURAL, SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.................................29

4.1. Natural condition.................................................................................................................. 29

4.1.1. Geographical location.............................................................................................. 29

4.1.2. Topography, geomorphology.................................................................................. 30

4.1.3. Climate and hydrology ............................................................................................ 30

4.1.3.1. Climate....................................................................................................... 30

4.1.3.2. Hydrology .................................................................................................. 30

4.1.3.3. Land ........................................................................................................... 30

4.2. Basic characteristics of forest resources............................................................................. 31

4.2.1. Current status of land, forest resources................................................................. 31

4.2.2. Forest status and distribution by functional subdivisions ................................... 32

4.2.3. Forest type of reservation........................................................................................ 33

4.3. People's living conditions, socio-economic.......................................................................... 34

4.3.1. Economic .................................................................................................................. 34

4.3.1.1. Agricultural production ............................................................................. 34

4.3.1.2. Industry, small industry, trade, services.................................................... 35

4.3.1.3. Natural Resources – Environment ............................................................. 35

4.3.2. Culture, society, infrastructure .............................................................................. 35

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4.3.2.1. Education, medical .................................................................................... 35

4.3.2.2. Population and labor................................................................................. 35

CHAPTER 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS..............................................................38

5.1. Current status and flora, fauna composition in Nam Dong Natural Reserve ................. 38

5.1.1. Flora .......................................................................................................................... 38

5.1.2. Fauna ........................................................................................................................ 40

5.1.2.1. Mammalia .................................................................................................. 40

5.1.2.2. Aves............................................................................................................ 41

5.1.2.3. Reptilia and Amphibia ............................................................................... 42

5.2. Vegetation map, elevation and river system of Nam Dong Natural Reserve .................. 43

5.2.1. Vegetation cover map.............................................................................................. 43

5.2.2. Elevation level map.................................................................................................. 46

5.2.3. River system map..................................................................................................... 48

5.3. Distribution of turtles by factors......................................................................................... 49

5.3.1. General distribution of turtles................................................................................ 49

5.3.2. Distribution of Turtle by vegetation cover ............................................................ 50

5.3.2.1. General distribution by vegetation cover................................................... 50

5.3.2.2. Distribution of each species by vegetation ................................................ 52

5.3.3. Distribution of Turtle by elevation level................................................................ 53

5.3.3.1. General distribution by elevation level...................................................... 53

5.3.3.2. Distribution of each species by elevation level.......................................... 55

5.3.4. Distribution of Turtle by river system ................................................................... 56

5.3.4.1. General distribution by river system.......................................................... 56

5.3.4.2. Distribution of each species by river system.............................................. 57

5.4. The suitable habitat map of turtle in Nam Dong Natural Reserve .................................. 58

5.4.1. Suitable habitat map for turtle ............................................................................... 58

5.4.2. Cuora mouhotii ........................................................................................................ 60

5.4.3. Geoemyda spengleri................................................................................................. 62

5.4.4. Cuora galbinifrons................................................................................................... 64

5.4.5. Platysternon megacephalum................................................................................... 66

CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSION, LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .........69

6.1. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 69

6.2. Limitations............................................................................................................................. 71

6.3. Recommendationa ................................................................................................................ 71

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................72

APPENDIX

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LIST OF FIGURE

Page

Fig 3.1. Steps to build the current status map in the study area ...................................................... 20

Fig 3.2. Transect method.................................................................................................................. 25

Fig 3.3. Map of survey transects in Nam Dong Natural Reserveand surroundings ........................ 27

Fig 3.4. Process create maps of habitat suitability of turtle in Nam Dong Natural Reserve........... 28

Fig 4.1. Map of geographical location of Nam Dong Natural Reserve ........................................... 29

Fig 4.2. Current status map of Special-use Forest Nam Don Natural Reserve ............................... 33

Fig 5.1. Current status of vegetation cover in Nam Dong Natural Reserve .................................... 39

Fig 5.2. Flowchart of establishing vegetation cover map of Nam Dong Natural Reserve............... 44

Fig 5.3. Current status map of vegetation cover of Nam Dong Natural Reserve 2019.................... 45

Fig 5.4. Current status map of elevation level of Nam Dong Natural Reserve................................ 47

Fig 5.5. Flowchart of establishing river system map of Nam Dong Natural Reserve...................... 48

Fig 5.6. Current status map of river system of Nam Dong Natural Reserve.................................... 49

Fig 5.7. Map of distribution of turtle by vegetation cover in the study area.................................... 51

Fig 5.8. Map of distribution of each species by vegetation cover.................................................... 52

Fig 5.9. Map of distribution of the various turtle species by elevation level in the study area........ 54

Fig 5.10. Map of distribution of each species by elevation level ..................................................... 55

Fig 5.11. Map of distribution of turtle by river system in the study area......................................... 56

Fig 5.12. Map of distribution of each species by river system ......................................................... 57

Fig 5.13. Process to create suitable habitat map for turtle in the study area .................................. 59

Fig 5.14. Suitable habitat map for turtle in the study area .............................................................. 60

Fig 5.15. Process to create suitable habitat map for Cuora mouhotii............................................. 61

Fig 5.16. Suitable habitat map for Cuora mouhotii ......................................................................... 61

Fig 5.17. Process to create suitable habitat map for Geoemyda spengleri ..................................... 63

Fig 5.18. Suitable habitat map for Geoemyda spengleri.................................................................. 63

Fig 5.19. Process to create suitable habitat map for Cuora galbinifrons........................................ 65

Fig 5.20. Suitable habitat map for Cuora galbinifrons.................................................................... 65

Fig 5.21. Process to create suitable habitat map for Platysternon megacephalum......................... 67

Fig 5.22. Suitable habitat map for Platysternon megacephalum ..................................................... 67

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LIST OF TABLE

Page

Table 2.1. Sensor characteristics of Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 satellite image .................................. 5

Table 3.1. Satellite image ................................................................................................................. 19

Table 3.2. Field data sheet used to collect information ................................................................... 26

Table 3.3. The total length of ten transects ...................................................................................... 26

Table 4.1. Current forest status in Nam Dong Natural Reserve ...................................................... 32

Table 4.2. Land use area of communes in the buffer zone of the Natural Reserve .......................... 34

Table 4.3. Summary of population and labor of communes in the buffer zone of Natural Reserve . 36

Table 4.4. Population statistics of villages adjacent to the Natural Reserve ................................... 36

Table 5.1. Vegetation ecosystem in Nam Dong Natural Reserve ..................................................... 38

Table 5.2. The proportion of distribution of vegetation cover in study area.................................... 45

Table 5.3. Accuracy assessment of NDVI method and field trip ...................................................... 46

Table 5.4. The proportion of distribution of elevation level in study area....................................... 47

Table 5.5. The proportion of Turtle distribution in study area ........................................................ 50

Table 5.6. The proportion of Turtle individuals observed by vegetation cover in the study area.... 51

Table 5.7. The proportion of turtle individual distribution by elevation level in study area ........... 54

Table 5.8. The proportion of suitable habitat area for turtle in the study area ............................... 60

Table 5.9. The proportion of suitable habitat area for Cuora mouhotii .......................................... 62

Table 5.10. The proportion of suitable habitat area for Geoemyda spengleri................................. 64

Table 5.11. The proportion of suitable habitat area for Cuora galbinifrons................................... 66

Table 5.12. The proportion of suitable habitat area for Platysternon megacephalum .................... 68

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CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

Tropical and subtropical forests are among the most important environments

on Earth, as they house among the richest communities of animals and plants in the

terrestrial ecosystems. Tropical and subtropical forests play an important role in

human’s life and environment. Forests provide wood, firewood; provide oxygen;

regulate water and are the place where animals live; forests also contain many

valuable and rare species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Terrestrial turtles and tortoises are among these species.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is ranked 9th among the most biodiverse

countries of the world in terms of turtle species richness with a total of 32 species,

27 being freshwater and terrestrial and 5 being marine (Dijk et al., 2014).

Unfortunately, the conservation status of the Vietnamese turtle fauna is threatened

as 85.1% of the native freshwater and terrestrial taxa are currently listed as

Threatened in the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2018). For most species, habitat loss and

overhunting (for consumption as human food, traditional medicine, religious merit)

have been the main threats (Stanford et al., 2018). Indeed, the forest cover in

Vietnam has decreased from 43% to 36% from 1945-1990 (De Jong & Hung,

2006), although the country’s forest cover has been recently increased due to the

national-scale reforestation of Vietnam since 1992 that is assumed to contribute to

this recovery, the forest quality still remains poor (Meyfroidt & Lambin, 2009).

Indeed, the recovery of forest coverage was due in part to the ban of industrial

logging from natural areas and the displacement of wood extraction to neighboring

countries, but mainly to extensive programs of homogenous tree plantations

(Meyfroidt & Lambin, 2009). These plantation habitats are clearly unsuitable for

turtles, whereas the suitable remnant natural forest is still heavily fragmented and

isolated (Fox et al., 2004). The second main threat to Vietnamese turtles is trade for

domestic consumption, with massive numbers of individuals being exploited in the

1980s- 2000s (Van Dijk et al., 2000; Nijman, 2010) also to supply the food and

traditional medicine markets of China (Cheung and Dudgeon, 2006; Turtle

Conservation Fund, 2002).

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According to IUCN (2018) assessments, the populations of most Vietnamese

turtle species have declined by about 50-90%. The Black-breasted leaf turtle

(Geoemyda spengleri) is one of main targets of this study. To protect the turtle and

also forest, the world in general and Vietnam in particular, there are many laws,

circulars and decrees. Moreover, to carry out these Legal instruments effectively,

we would need support arising from technology.

Nowadays, the development of science and technology as well as technical

science, in particular, the advent of satellite imagery and GIS remote sensing

technology supported people to make a lot in research. Remote sensing data with

multi-time, multi-spectral and wide-area coverage allows us to update research

information quickly, effectively for saving time and effort. The combination of

using high-resolution remote sensing images in resource management has been a

new direction for natural resources planning in general.

Nam Dong Natural Reserve is a protected area in the central of Vietnam.

The area of this natural reserve is 646,95 ha. The area is one of the typical forest

ecosystems on limestone that still remaining in the northern lowlands of Vietnam,

which harbors a high level of the endemic and rare fauna and flora. According to

the evidence of the result of investigation, there are 18 species of animal that

reported in Vietnam Redlist and Red Data Book, 2007 and IUCN Red List of

Threatened Species, 2012.

Recently, with the development of remote sensing and image interpretation

technology, that enable users to capture, store, analyse and manage spatially

referenced data of the different objects in the Earth surface. Especially, the remote

sensing technology has been a powerful application in distribution of turtle.

Moreover, the management have not been noticed that it has practical significance,

be scientifically with the development, protection and management of protection

turtle. Therefore, I conducted the present study entitled: “Applying GIS and

remote sensing to determine potential distribution area of Turtle in Nam Dong

Natural Reserve, Thanh Hoa province”.

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CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. GIS and remote sensing

2.1.1. The concept of GIS, remote sensing and GPS

Remote sensing: is the process of acquiring information about an object or

phenomenon without making actual physical contact with it, as opposed to onsite

observation or onsite sensing. This often requires the use of aerial sensor

technologies such as those used in reconnaissance airplanes and satellites in order to

detect and analyze objects on the Earth, usually on the surface.

Remote sensing is used to receive objective information about the Earth’s

surface and atmospheric phenomena thanks to sensors installed on aircraft, artificial

satellites, spacecraft or in orbit station. Remote sensing technology allows to record

changes in natural resources and the environment making monitoring and inventory

of natural resources and environment more effective.

Remote Sensing quickly provides high resolution digital data for the

establishment and adjustment of the national mapping system and geographic

database.

Separation of information in remote sensing can be classified into five categories:

- Classification: is the process of separating and aggregating information

based on spectral, spatial and time properties given by picture of objects to be

studied.

- Dynamic detection: is the detection and operation of fluctuations based on

multi-image data time.

- Separation of physical quantities: Extraction of natural information such as

measurement of temperature, atmospheric state, height of objects based on spectral

characteristics or parallax of stereoscopic images.

- Separation of indicators: Calculation and determination of new indices

(NDVI plant index…).

- Identification of natural disasters signs in service of archeological searchers.

GIS (Geographic Information System) that origin from three concepts

geography, information, and system.