Mohsen Mosatfa
Shaban Shataee
Ali Mastouri

In this study, spatio-temporal forest canopy cover density changes in the Golestan National Park (Iran) were assessed from ۱۹۶۷ to ۲۰۱۶ using aerial photos and satellite images in a Geographical Information Systems environment. The digital aerial orthophoto mosaics were created after georeferencing photos of the years ۱۹۶۷ and ۱۹۹۴. A special canopy interpretation key was used for interpreting and determining the forest canopy cover classes on the digital orthophoto mosaics and Google earth images and for providing the canopy cover density maps. The results indicated that throughout the period from ۱۹۶۷ to ۱۹۹۴, the non-forest areas in some places were converted into forest due to physical and technical management measures. Results also showed that between ۱۹۶۷ and ۲۰۱۶, the canopy cover class ۱۰-۲۵% had the highest increase (۱۶.۶%) followed by the ۲۵-۵۰% class that increased by ۲۱.۱۷%. Our research exhibited that applying the physical preservation and protection management plans are the major factors in conversion of non-forest to forest areas and increase of the canopy cover density. These results emphasize that active physical protection and proper implementation of management methods are required for forest restoration in the study area.

Aerial photos, change detection, Forest cover density, Golestan National Park