Title
The role of GIS and remote sensing in conservation in Cambodia
Author(s)
Sayon, P.
Published
2015
Publisher
Cambodian Journal of Natural History
Abstract
Protected areas in Cambodia and the region are under heavy pressure from industry due to an aggressive national development plan and high rates of economic growth. Likewise, social poverty and opportunism have resulted in unprecedented rates of land grabbing and agricultural expansion. Because of this need for land, most protected areas in Cambodia have been reduced in size by excising areas for urbanisation, settlement and agriculture, and converted for economic development purposes. Before these threats can be addressed, they must first be identified and monitored. WCS Cambodia uses geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing to monitor land-use changes in and around protected areas, map where the hotspots of land-use change are, analyse how they are being affected, and identify the priority places for preventative or reactive action. GIS and remote sensing techniques have detected areas that are under high threat from conversion and provided an early warning system for protected areas managers to undertake law enforcement against illegal developments and unplanned deforestation. This has also provided a clear visual demonstration of the impacts of these threats on Cambodia’s protected areas to all stakeholders. GIS and remote sensing are extremely important tools for the conservation of the region’s protected areas.
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