Abstract

TREVINO GARZA, Eduardo Javier. Information stratification in the digital processing of satellite images applied to Pinus cembroides forest cartography. Invest. Geog [online]. 2001, n.44, pp.54-63. ISSN 2448-7279.

The Pinus cembroides forests are a valuable natural resource for the inhabitants of Northeastern Mexico's arid zones. This paper presents a methodological proposal to determine the condition of the pinion forests through digital satellite Images and information stratification using a Geographical Information System (GIS). To elaborate the cartography of these forests, the information contained in land-use and vegetation maps was integrated to the digital processing of satellite images. These were stored as a digital layer in a GIS and manipulated to create a caver containing only information from these forests. From it, a mask was obtained on the satellite image; this was processed to elaborate a map containing five density classes of pinion-pine forests. These include 40% closed and dense forests, 45% semi-dense forests and 15% open areas and bare soil.

Keywords : Image processing; GIS; Pinus cembroides; Nuevo León; Mexico.