Changes of forest and grassland area at field science center, Tohoku University using remote sensing and GIS

Field Science Center (FSC), Tohoku University is located in the west side of Miyagi Prefecture in Japan and situated in mountainous area. Since FSC is located in the temperate zone and climatic climax seems to broadleaf forest. However, all area of FSC doesn't show the succession because it is affected by human activities such as farming, forestry and so on. Therefore, it is useful for future management of land and environment to research vegetation changes. We researched vegetation change by making a vegetation change map based on 3 periods data such as 1960s, 1970-80s and 2007. On this survey, we focused on changes of forest and grassland area at the Center. In the result, change of G-G-B (class of land use in 1960s, 1970-80s and 2007, C; Coniferous forest, B; Broadleaf forest and G; Grass field) was 152.2ha, G-B-B was 108.0ha and G-G-C was 89.1ha. Direct change (This means a class that have only one change) had large ratio. In addition, changes of B-C-B and B-G-B are 63.2ha and 56.3ha respectively and significantly large among other changed areas. Most of changed area are gently sloping area because succession had already gone in high sloping area in 1960s. Area that changed to Coniferous forest was roadside where is convenient for forestry. We understood vegetation change at FSC between 1960s and 2007 but it is not whole. To solve this problem, data for grassland maintenance period are needed. In addition, data in 1970-80s are not so fit with recorded forestation area. It is necessary to analyze another data such as satellite images for validation. Used data are as follows: remote sensing data such as aerial photographs from Japan Forest Technology Association and aerial hyper spectral data (AISA), existent GIS data from Geographical Survey Institute of Japan and Biodiversity Center of Japan etc. and field survey data.