Land Suitability Assessment for Reforestation in Southern Sri Lanka

Abstract

Digitally processed Landsat MSS data and GIS technology were applied to work out a Land Suitability classification for reforestation activities in southern Sri Lanka. The methodology was designed to solve three main problems, i, e., 1) Where dose forest cover exist? 2) Where are the regions suitable for reforestation? and 3) Where are the regions impossible for reforestation?. About 17% of the total land area was classified as practically considerable for reforestation directed to the land suitability classification. More than 80% of this area was categorized as highly suitable or suitable lands for reforestation. If this reforestation program is implemented, the total forest area will increase from 12% to 25% in the study area.