Perspectives of Remote Sensing and GIS Applications in Tropical Forest Management

Abstract

Tropical forest management requires could be improved through the use of current technologies including remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS). In this paper, we characterize and evaluate forest management patterns and relate this to modern technologies such as geographical information systems and remote sensing. We further examine the application of these modern technologies in tropical forestry and conservation. To achieve this, we carried out a comprehensive survey of published scientific literature obtained through Web of Science, Mendeley, Researchgate and Google Scholar. We observed that, the relationships between forestry management, modern technologies have shifted over time. These have depended on how management activities such as planting and harvesting, interact with other drivers and disturbances (fire, pests and diseases) to influence the adaptive capacity of forests. Forest management and new technologies are interrelated because the technologies support management actions; hence contribute to global forest resources management and conservation.