1.1 General

This project is directed in providing information about land cover at a regional scale for selected countries in the Asian region (e.g., Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao P.D.R., Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal). The investigation of the NOAA AVHRR satellite data is directed towards the detection and monitoring of ecologically important vegetation types at the national level. This similar activity also highlights the areas where there is a major change of land cover (i.e. "hot spots"), both in temporal and spatial aspects.

The use of remotely sensed data particularly the NOAA AVHRR data was considered a major tool for such purpose. On a much wider scale, this kind of information could also be useful for global research and modelling, macro-economic studies, and assessment of the earth's state of environment. The harmonization of land cover categories was adopted in the interpretation of satellite data for these countries towards a comprehensive regional resource assessment and information aggregation, an important decision input for the regional and national context.

Under this volume, the land cover of Lao P.D.R. and its related information have been presented while the overall rational behind this activity and its associated methodology appeared in Volume 1. It is envisioned that such results will serve as a valuable information for a more direct and appropriate formulation of policies and sensible resource management strategies.

1.2 Lao People's Democratic Republic (P.D.R.): Study Area

1.2.1 Location and Physical Characteristics

The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao P.D.R.) nestles among the picturesque mountains and valleys over an area of 236,800 sq km - landlocked by Myanmar to the northwest, the Peoples Republic of China to the north, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west. Roughly 80% of the country is mountainous; the north being very rugged, covered by forest and often inaccessible. In the east, the Annamite mountain range runs south along the border with Vietnam. Many mountains are over 2000 meters in height.

Almost the entire country is drained by the Mekong river and its tributaries flowing through gorges and rapids in narrow valleys. The majority of the population of about four million lives in the lowlands.

A wide range of natural systems representing many vegetation types are found in the country. There are a variety of forest types, grasslands, water bodies and wetlands, all of which are home to many species of wildlife. Agriculture, though at a subsistence level, is the mainstay of the economy. For many years, the Lao P.D.R. has regarded its rich natural forests solely as a source of income and foreign exchange. This, among other reasons, has accounted for the depletion of the forest cover, which the government is now anxious to arrest (UNDP, 1991).

1.2.2 Present Land cover

The natural forest estate is regarded as the most valuable asset in the country's resource endowment. In the 1950s the forest covered 70% of the land. As reported by FAO (1991), approximately 84% (19,370,000 ha.) of the country is covered by forest and woodlands, the arable and permanent crop land represents only 4%. The rest of the area is used as permanent pasture. The wooded areas are exemplified by closed broad leaves forest, open broad leaves forest, coniferous, bamboo forests, plantations, forest fallows and shrubs.

The annual reduction of forest is about 300,000 hectares caused by both the lack of a forest management system and the continued export of timber. Other factors contributing to the damage of natural forests are encroachment for farming, new settlements and road infrastructure development. The ravages of war have left large scars, particularly in the forest of the eastern mountains (Lao P.D.R. Ministry of Science and Technology, 1992). Shifting cultivation is also considered as a major problem directly affecting the environment, causing the loss of trees, and further reducing the level of water in the rivers and reservoirs especially in the dry season.
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