GIS numerical and remote sensing analyses of forest changes in the Toplica region for the period of 1953–2013

Abstract

Although the Toplica region is situated in a forest-rich part of the Republic of Serbia, the region's four municipalities are not equally forested. Forests are an important resource for economic activities and the existence of flora and fauna, both globally and in the Republic of Serbia. Many initiatives around the world intend to protect and renew forest belts under the sponsorship of developed and developing countries (e.g. China, India, Russia, Brazil, or the G7). In this study, we reconstructed the condition of forests in the Toplica region over the last 60 years using remote sensing, topographic maps, geographical information system (GIS) analysis, and official data from cadaster books and censuses. In addition to changes in forested land, concurrent socio-economic changes have affected the distribution and density of forests. The total number of trees in the Toplica region in 2013 was determined by applying numerical GIS analyses to remote sensing data. We also reconstructed the state of forests in 1953 and used this to determine the total number of trees cut down within this period, as well as the forested areas within different parts of the region. We also determined the elevations beneath different forested zones. In addition to these qualitative and quantitative analyses, we analyzed processes with the potential to influence future forest dispersion (afforestation, deagrarianization, degradation, and deforestation). These analyses are useful in acquiring more detailed insight into the condition of forests in this part of southeastern Europe.