Mappign of melaleuca leucodendron distribution in Setiu Terengganu using remote sensing and GIS

Abstract

Remote sensing technology and GIS can successfully increase the performance in various type of study such as forestry, agriculture and managing development of certain area without going to the area. In this study, this technology was used to detect the distribution of Melaleuca leucodendron or locally known as Gelam and other land cover area. The study area are rich with diverse type of vegetation and rural residential. Satellite image (SPOT-5) captured on 15 March 2006 with medium resolution was used for the Gelam distribution area and was analyzed and classified using 'Maximum Likelihood Classifier' (MCL) with 90% of overall accuracy. From the results, eight classes of land cover were differentiating with band combination of 4, 3 and 2. There are 'Gelam', 'Water bodies', 'Mixed mangrove', 'High vegetation', 'Low vegetation', 'Rubber and Oil palm', 'Swamp' and 'Open area'. In this study, a total of37600.5l l ha were classified as classes of the area. The area covered 98.93% of the image. Gelam area cover 10.5% of the total area with the area extent is 3965.6 ha. Gelam distributed mostly on Loamy Sand soil texture and with an acidic soil.