The role of GIS in evaluating contour-based limits of cloud forest reserves in Honduras

Abstract

Cloud forests in Honduras, were officially protected in 1987 but remain vulnerable to the forces threatening forests throughout the tropics. Two practical problems impeding conservation efforts in Honduras have been the dearth of accurate micro-level forest coverage data and the disagreement among planners and agency personnel concerning the delimitation of the reserves. This study uses 1992 aerial photos and introduces a GIS-based technique to help resolve these two geographical problems for the Guisayote Biological Reserve, a cloud forest in western Honduras. -Author