Retrospective modelling and remote sensing analysis of deforestation in the protected Haut-Sassandra Forest (Côte d'Ivoire) in a context of armed conflict (2001-2013)

Abstract

This study uses retrospective modelling in order to analyze the deforestation of the protected Haut-Sassandra Forest during the conflicts that occurred in Côte d'Ivoire from 2002 to 2011. We show how an investigation and a literature review allowed us to set up the rules of a model. Some values and some modes in the model created different hypotheses that were used to generate maps. The comparison of the maps with remote sensing data enabled us to identify the optimal parameters for the model. The results are twofold. One the one hand, a methodological result is the creation of an original tool and its validation using remote sensing. On the other hand, the study offers insight on the infiltration process.