Characterizing Soil and Climatic Constraints for Sustainable Forest Development in Karnataka using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System

The soil and land use cover maps were digitized and overlaid to critically evaluate the soil-site parameters for the growth and development of different forest types in Karnataka. Soil-site conditions supporting evergreen/semi-ever-green, moist/dry deciduous and scrub/degraded forests are quantified. Soil depth and length of dry period have been found to be two important parameters influencing the kind of forest vegetation. Potential areas for new plantations in the existing forest sites are identified based on the soil depth and length of dry period.