Abstract

The scope of remote sensing data in the form of large scale aerial photographs for estimation of bamboo resource was studied in the forests of Attappady-Silent Valley region of Kerala. Large scale aerial photographs (black and white) in 1: 15, 000 were used for the present study. The conventional photo interpretation techniques were adopted and bamboo resource status was evaluated. In addition to the delineation of pure bamboo patches, stratification with respect to vegetation density is possible in two levels, in bamboo mixed moist deciduous forests. The detailed mapping of the bamboo area and area estimation of different strata are also possible with reasonable level of accuracy. The potential use of remote sensing data in resource evaluation is further highlighted