1 © Spot Image 2007 Use of remote sensing for change detection analysis and monitoring for UNESCO-World-Heritage Exemplified by the thai national parks Pang Sida and Ta Phraya University of Education, Heidelberg

2 © Spot Image 2007 Intention & Procedure: change-detection on two national parks of a world heritage site using remote sensing fieldwork on the protected areas itself and in the surroundings classification of the satellite scenes analyse trends of vegetation, landuse and encroachment concerning the pressure on the national parks period of time: approximately the last 30 years in three steps (1979, 1990 and present)

3 Aims of the project: 1) Use of remote sensing to help creating standards for monitoring of world heritage sites with the focus on tropical forests 2) Provide assistance with assessing risks and developing a corresponding action plan because of increasing pressure on the national parks 3) Help making the local population (decision makers, students) aware of problems and threats and involve them in the realisation of counteractive measures © Spot Image 2007

4 Partners: UNESCO Open Initiative from Space to Place initiative on 'Taking the pulse of UNESCO tropical World Heritage sites' ESA © Spot Image 2007

5 The National Parks Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex Areas for detailed analysis with SPOT data Pang Sida Ta Phraya Landsat ETM+ 2003

6 © Spot Image 2007 The National Parks Description: both parks are part of the world heritage site "Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex" "Pang Sida NP" covers an area of 84,400 ha and "Ta Phraya NP" an area of 59,400 ha, which is a total of 143,800 ha conservation value: part of the second largest continuous forest complex of Thailand remaining and species-rich rainforest habitat types of different altitudinal zones also a wide ranged tropical fauna with endangered species

7 © Spot Image 2007 Pang Sida National Park Problems & Threats: no clear buffer zone landuse borders directly onto the park or crosses the boundary agriculture and roads settlements and illegal logging Landsat TM 1990 Landsat ETM+ 2003

8 © Spot Image 2007 Ta Phraya National Park Problems & Threats: no clear buffer zone landuse borders directly onto the park or crosses the boundary agriculture and roads landclearing from illegal cambodian settlers in the 1980s and 1990s Landsat TM 1990 Landsat ETM+ 2003