Abstract
To quantify non-reforested area (NRA) in the Kyushu region, we analyzed the occurrence rate of NRAs in each prefecture and their spatial distribution. To determine reforestation after coniferous plantation forest clear cutting, we analyzed images to determine changes in area using multi-temporal remotely sensed imagery. We studied two periods, from 1998 to 2002 (first period) and after 2002 (second period), to determine changes in NRA between the two periods. Point-based analysis showed that the NRA occurrence rate for the entire Kyushu main island in the first and second periods was 30.9 and 24.3%, respectively. Mapping the NRA spatial distribution using GIS showed that NRAs were concentrated in specific areas in both the first and second periods, rather than being distributed uniformly in the forested regions of Kyushu. The cut area of coniferous plantation forests and NRA were totaled using the Japanese secondary mesh unit, with the NRA occurrence rate calculated via mesh unit. In comparing the first and second periods, we found that most of the meshes showing extremely high NRAs (occurrence rate >50%) were not located in the same place in the two periods. Thus, the occurrence of NRAs shifted between the two periods, with NRAs distributed more widely in the second period.
