Forest Fragmentation of Arunachal Pradesh, India from 2000-2020

It has been observed that in the last two decades from 2000 to 2020 an area of 1571.22 km² (1.88%) has been lost due to deforestation. Although there was increase in the dense forest with an area of 6858.43 km² (8.19%), the moderately dense forest was worst affected and degraded with a loss of 9347.50 km² (11.16%) and the open forest was increased by 917.85 km² (1.10%). The major changes took place in the conversion of moderate forests into agricultural lands and settlements. Most of the metrics used in forest fragmentation analysis identified certain differences whereas number of patches (NP) and mean patch size (MPS) indicated that forests have been decreased to a major extent during the years 2000-2020, fragmented and patches are far located from each other. Different landscape metrics identified by these approaches suggest that deforestation was being closely associated with forest fragmentation and socio-economic activities like agricultural lands and settlements. The results can be utilized as an important monitoring tool to identify the fragmented landscape pattern, analyse conservation success and enhance management decisions.

据观测，在2000年至2020年的二十年间，已有1571.22平方千米（占比1.88%）的区域因森林砍伐而丧失。尽管郁闭森林面积增加了6858.43平方千米（占比8.19%），但中度郁闭森林受影响最为严重，出现退化，损失面积达9347.50平方千米（占比11.16%）；而疏林面积则增加了917.85平方千米（占比1.10%）。森林景观格局的核心变化表现为中度郁闭林向农用地与居民聚落转化。多数用于森林破碎化分析的景观指标均检测到显著差异，其中斑块数量（Number of Patches, NP）与平均斑块面积（Mean Patch Size, MPS）结果显示，2000至2020年间森林总面积大幅缩减，破碎化程度加剧，斑块空间分布愈发离散。上述分析方法得到的各类景观格局指标表明，森林砍伐与森林破碎化、农用地扩张及居民聚落建设等社会经济活动存在显著关联。本研究结果可作为重要的监测工具，用于识别破碎化景观格局、评估生态保护成效，并辅助优化管理决策。