PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

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Analysing Elephant Habitat Parameters using GIS, Remote Sensing and Analytic Hierarchy Process in Peninsular Malaysia

Suhaida Aini, Alias Mohd Sood and Salman Saaban

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, Volume 23, Issue 1, January 2015

Keywords: Asian elephant, AHP, habitat preference, home range, GIS, and remote sensing

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Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing are geospatial technologies that have been used for many years in environmental studies, including gathering and analysing of information on the physical parameters of wildlife habitats and modelling of habitat assessments. The home range estimation provided in a GIS environment offers a viable method of quantifying habitat use and facilitating a better understanding of species and habitat relationships. This study used remote sensing, GIS and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) application tools as methods to assess the habitat parameters preference of Asian elephant. Satellite images and topographical maps were used for the environmental and topographical habitat parameter generation encompassing land use-land cover (LULC), Normalized Digital Vegetation Index (NDVI), water sources, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), slope and aspect. The kernel home range was determined using elephant distribution data from satellite tracking, which were then analysed using habitat parameters to investigate any possible relationship. Subsequently, the frequency of the utilization distribution of elephants was further analysed using spatial and geostatistical analyses. This was followed by the use of AHP for identifying habitat preference, selection of significant habitat parameters and classification of criterion. The habitats occupied by the elephants showed that the conservation of these animals would require good management practices within and outside of protected areas so as to ensure the level of suitability of the habitat, particularly in translocation areas.

ISSN 0128-7680

e-ISSN 2231-8526

Article ID

JST-0466-2013

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