Abstract

Remote sensing is of much importance for resource management in the tropics, because of its ability to supply enormous amount of information in the quickest possible time. Mapping of landuse with the help of remote sensing techniques often provides valuable information for environmental planning and land development. Attappady region of Kerala, being one of the most disturbed areas, needs special attention from a conservation point of view. Remote sensing can help in building up an ideal data base for this ecologically degraded region. A comparative evaluation is made of different remote sensing data types viz., large scale aerial photographs, computer compatible tapes, false colour composites (both Landsat and Spot Satellites) in different scale variations, and different interpretation techniques are discussed with respect to information relevant to vegetation ecology in the Attappady region. Further, the feasibility of using various remote sensing data types for vegetation