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Co-Management Effects on Forest Restoration in Protected Areas of Bangladesh: A Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Md Rezaul Karim

    (Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Md Abdul Halim

    (Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Imrul Kayes

    (Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada)

  • Wenxi Liao

    (Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada)

  • Sharif A. Mukul

    (Department of Environment and Development Studies, United International University, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
    Tropical Forests and People Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4556, Australia
    Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • H. M. Tuihedur Rahman

    (Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada)

  • Sean C. Thomas

    (Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada)

Abstract

Co-management is a promising forest governance strategy that integrates local communities’ traditional rights and forest dependencies while aiming to improve forest cover and ecosystem health. Bangladesh, facing high deforestation rates and limited per capita forest area, has implemented co-management initiatives since 2003 to restore forest cover and support the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. While the socio-economic impacts of co-management are well studied, its effects on forest cover remain underexplored. This study addresses that gap by using three common spectral vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, and MSAVI), calculated from Landsat 7 data, to analyze forest cover changes in five major protected areas under co-management. The results indicated that dense forest cover (41–71%) was initially prevalent in these areas, but a significant decline occurred between 2004 and 2015, with slope values ranging from −3.7 to −0.96. In contrast, the non-co-managed control site exhibited a much smaller decline (slope: −0.48 to −0.62) across all indices. Notable increases in agricultural land and forest–agriculture mosaics were also observed in the protected areas under co-management. Global Forest Watch data further confirmed substantial forest cover loss, particularly in CWS (158.77 ha) and SNP (0.49 ha). These findings highlight the need to reassess co-management strategies to address ongoing forest degradation.

Suggested Citation

  • Md Rezaul Karim & Md Abdul Halim & Imrul Kayes & Wenxi Liao & Sharif A. Mukul & H. M. Tuihedur Rahman & Sean C. Thomas, 2024. "Co-Management Effects on Forest Restoration in Protected Areas of Bangladesh: A Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:10:p:1709-:d:1501814
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