Mapping peat swamp forest in Southeast Asia using MODIS data

Abstract

For the purpose of long-term large scale studies of peat swamp forests in Southeast Asia, locating and estimating the areas of existing peat swamp forests is an important starting point. With varying definitions of peat swamp forests by different authors, it is not surprising for estimates of peat swamp forest land cover to have large variations. For example, estimates for peat swamp forest cover for Southeast Asia in the early 90s range from approximately 20 million hectares to 33 million hectares. In order to create a standardized and updated peat swamp forest cover map, we use a combination of soil maps, vegetation maps and year 2005 MODIS images for land cover classification. The resultant peat swamp forest map allow for quick assessment of regional peat swamp forest cover and serve as a guide for more detailed studies with the use of higher resolution satellite data.