Use of remote sensing and GIS to identify vegetation change in the upper San Pedro River watershed, Arizona

Abstract

Abstract A study to demonstrate the use of remotely sensed data to identify vegetation change was conducted in the Upper San Pedro River watershed in southeastern Arizona. This project was coordinated and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) Arid ecosystems as a pilot study with three specific objectives: to evaluate the characterization of land cover using remote sensing systems, to determine the applicability of the Brown, Lowe and Pase (1979) vegetation classification system to such a land characterization system, and to apply techniques for detecting change over time in land cover from remotely sensed data. Whilst possible causes of vegetation change are discussed, the pilot study was not designed to determine the causes of any changes that were identified. The study area was chosen because of its characteristic physiography and vegetation and because of the rapid land cover changes known to have taken place. In addition, interagency data, remote sensing coverage and historical documentation covering a period of 52 years were available for the area. Notes Current address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, U.S.A.