National Forest Type Mapping

Introduction
The revised forest type classification of Champion and Seth (1968) is the
most widely used classification systems for India's forests. They classified forest
into five major groups based on climatic factors. These major groups have been
further divided into 16 type groups based on temperature and moisture contents.
A few of these type groups have been further divided into several subgroups.
Ultimately the type groups have been classified into 202 forest types and
subtypes based on location specific climate factors and vegetation formation.
There have been no significant efforts till recently to show spatial distribution of
forest types in India.
The Standing Committee on Bio-resources and Environment (SC-B) of the
National Natural Resource Management System (NNRMS), in its 18th meeting on
21st January 2003 identified a Task Team for Forest Type Mapping. The Director,
Forest Survey of India, Dehradun was nominated as the Chairman of the Task
Team. The terms of reference of this Task Team was to prepare a detailed
proposal for forest type mapping.
The Task Team met on 10th April 2003 and deliberated on this issue.
Based on detailed discussion it was decided that 1:50,000 scale forest type maps
need to be prepared addressing 202 forest types identified in the revised
classification of forest types by Champion & Seth (1968). It was decided that pilot
studies need to be undertaken to understand the feasibility of generating forest
type information in different parts of the country and to test the methodology
proposed for this work. FSI thereafter submitted a proposal to the NNRMS
technical committee in the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of
India, New Delhi. The proposal included taking up pilot study in three districts
namely Chandrapur (Maharashtra), East Garo Hills (Meghalaya) and Coimbatore
(Tamil Nadu)..
Based on the outcome of the pilot study og East Gharo Hills District, a
proposal was put up in the 19th Meeting of NNRMS-SC-B, held on 31st Dec. 2003
under the Chairmanship of the Secretary (MoEF). The project was approved in
December, 2004 for an outlay of Rs. 300.00 lakhs to be completed in three
years.

METHODOLOGY:

Methodology followed by FSI is GIS based. It involves two major steps-(i)

Preparation of Forest Type Reference Maps using existing thematic maps and
other data. (ii)Preparation of final maps depicting spatial distribution of forest
types by collecting new information through ground verification and using recent
satellite data and incorporating the same on Reference Maps.

(i) Preparation of Forest Type Reference Maps

 FSI has huge data on forest resources in form of thematic maps (based on
interpretation of aerial photographs and on 1:50,000 scale), field inventory
reports and field forms, vegetation type maps (prepared in 1981-83 on 1:2 million
scale) and forest cover maps. It is envisaged to integrate these information in a
single unit area (grid of appropriate size) to present the most likely forest type in
a particular grid.

For this purpose the whole country is divided into a geo-referenced vector
layer of’ grids using Arc Info software (8.2version). The grid size of 2½′ x 2½′
which on an average encompasses 20 km2 of area, has been chosen as the
most appropriate size. In the conventional field inventory of FSI, a systematic
random sampling has been used where the area is divided into grids of 2½′ x 2½′
and all the ground information is collected from the sample plots laid out in this
grid. The information of thematic maps available on 1:50,000 scale can be
conveniently overlaid on these grids containing 36 grids of size 2½′ x 2½′. Firstly
spatial database at country level is created having vector coverage comprising
171,028 grids (Fig. 34). A unique ID is given to each grid so as attach attribute
data to it. The description of the attribute data attached to each grid is as follows:

• Total number of grids – 171,028

• Attribute data has been linked to the grids

Fig. 34: Nationwide Vector Coverage of Grids of 2½′ x 2½′

a. Forest Inventory of FSI: Since its inception in 1965 as PISFR (Pre-

Investment Survey of Forest Resources), FSI has carried out field
inventory of forest resources. In addition to enumeration of trees,
 information on soil, species composition, density etc. of each grid in
the inventory area is also available in the field forms. FSI has covered
more than 80% of countries forest area under field inventory.
b. Thematic maps prepared by FSI: Till late nineties, FSI had been
preparing thematic maps on 1:50,000 scale based on interpretation of
aerial photographs. These maps in all show 48 forest land use
classes and 15 non-forest land use classes. Under thematic mapping
FSI has covered approximately 72% of the country’s forest area.
Though these maps are old but they had provided valuable base line
information on species composition as usually there is not
appreciable change in species composition of area over a period of
time.
c. Forest species composition maps: For a study taken up by
FSI recently, FSI had prepared forest species composition maps
integrating information of thematic maps and inventory records.
d. Vegetation type maps: FSI prepared vegetation type maps on
1:2million scale in 1981-83. These maps were partially based on
aerial photographs (thematic maps) and partially on inputs received
from State Forest Departments. These maps also have provided
valuable information in preparation of forest type reference maps.
e. Latest ground truth information: In accordance with its mandate,
FSI carries out assessment of forest cover on a 2-year cycle and
generates forest cover maps. These maps are based on interpretation
of satellite data and extensive ground truthing is done before
preparing final maps. In each cycle about 2500 points in the forest
areas are visited for ground truthing. In the ground truth field forms,
information on species composition is also collected.
f. Soil Maps: Soil maps prepared by National Bureau of Soil Survey
and Land Use Planning on 1:1million scale has been procured. These
maps have been scanned and are being used to delineate forest
types where soil composition is playing a significant role in
classification of forest types.
g. Spatial Information on Climate: Information on temperature and
rainfall on a 10’ x10’ grid size has been obtained from the Centre for
Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The
mean annual values have been used as attribute climate data for
each grid.
h. Forest type maps prepared by other organisations: In the
year 2002, IIRS (Indian Institute of Remote Sensing) produced
Biodiversity characterization maps of parts of the country like
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, North Eastern region etc., Similarly,
mapping work has been done by the French Institute of Pondicherry
 in the Western Ghats region. These maps will be used to update the
reference map. Fig. 35 describes methodology of Stage 1 in brief.

FOREST TYPE MAPPING OF INDIA’S FORESTS

(Based on Champion & Seth Revised Classification of 1968)

Methodology Stage I (For Reference Map)

2.5’x2.5’ 2.5’x2.5’

.
India divided into Selection of
Grids of 2.5’x2.5’ Forested Grids

Forest
Non forest

’ Inventory records, Thematic Maps of FSI

Forest Type maps at 1:2m by F.S.I (1982)

Ground Truthing Information

Maps by French Institute, IIRS, WII etc

Stock Maps by SFDs

Forest Type Reference Map

Fig.35: Methodology for Stage I for Forest Type Mapping

(ii) Preparation of final maps using new data:

The grid based forest type reference maps are being used for extensive
ground verification using GPS. During ground verification, ancillary information
from the State Forest Departments as available in working plans, stock maps,
species composition, forest types, soil, climate, past treatment etc are also being
collected. The latest satellite data of IRS 1D (LISS-III) with a spatial resolution of
23.5m X 23.5m for the year 2002 will be used for forest type classification. Multi-
temporal satellite data including that of dry season and high-resolution data will
also be used in specific cases. Digital image processing is being done using
ERDAS Imagine Professional software (latest version). Following steps are being
used in the digital image processing:
1. Geometric corrections: Images (False Colour Composites-FCC) in
digital forms are first downloaded onto the computers and then registered
geometrically using appropriate numbers of GCPs (Ground Control
Points) of corresponding Survey of India (SOI) toposheets on
1:50,000scale. The area of interest (i.e., the District) is then extracted by
overlaying digitised boundary of the district.
2. Digital Image Processing: FCC of the extracted area is then digitally
interpreted using a hybrid approach consisting of unsupervised as well
as supervised classification using maximum likelihood classifier
algorithm. Ortho-rectification and NDVI (Normalized Density Vegetation
Index) programmes are also run wherever needed. Rule based
classification has been used in areas where topographical features and
soil play dominant role in deciding forest type. The NDVI is used not only
to detect spatial pattern of biodiversity but also the distribution of
biophysical parameters as difference in vegetation type are primarily due
to variation in soil, moisture, temperature and rainfall.
3. Editing of Classified Forest Type Maps: Classified forest type
maps will be further edited on the basis of ground information, data on
soil, climate, altitude etc Based on this post classification editing and
refinement, final forest type maps will be produced on 1: 50,000 scale.
Fig 36 shows methodology of Stage 2 in brief.
 Methodology for preparation of final maps
IRS-1D Satellite data for the
2002

Geometric correction /
Rectification Ground verification of forest type
reference maps prepared in Stage 1

Masked out Classified Forest

Cover Maps Classified Forest Type Maps

AOI editing on the basis of ground Data on Soil, Climate,

Image Classification Hybrid information altitude etc
approach Unsupervised &
Supervised Classification

Post Classification Refinement

Forest Type Map

Fig. 36: Methodology for stage II –Preparation of Final maps.

(iii) Validation of Forest Type Maps:

These maps will then be sent to all concerned State/UT Forest

Departments for verification and validation. In case of variation, joint verification
with the Forest Department will be carried out to correct the error if any. Since
these maps are generated using a GIS based methodology, it will be possible to
incorporate any change even if found at a later stage.