Relevance of geographical information system in forest resource assessment and management

Abstract

Geographical Information System (GIS) in forestry is basically applied in resource assessment and manager Resource assessment activities include: inventory of forest resources, for timber, fuel, food, recreation conservation purposes, along with related data such as topography, soils, roads, and hydrology; monitoring cha that occur in these resources over time as a result of deforestation, conversion of natural forest into farmland plantation, conversion of forest land into agricultural purposes as well as urbanization; and evaluating potential land productivity for forest types given certain biophysical and climatic factors. On the other hand, res management activities include: Timber harvesting for wood supply; fuel wood demand and supply for household and commercial uses; fire management as it relates to fire prevention, wildlife control, prescribing burning, and post-fire recovery actions, In this paper, major areas of forestry where geographical information 'S} is relevant are highlighted. Present challenges are also mentioned and recommendations were made on ho mitigate them.