IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library
   

 

View printer friendly
Haines, A.; Caso, A.; Tewes, M.; Redeker, E.
Using landsat imagery to identify potential ocelot habitat in Tamaulipas, Mexico
2005  Full Book

Within the United States (U.S.), the ocelot is an endangered species limited to southern Texas. Currently, the greatest problem for ocelot conservation is the lack of suitable habitat, which consists of dense woody cover. Techniques used to accurately identify ocelot habitat from remotely sensed imagery would aid ocelot conservation. In addition, successful management of ocelots within adjacent Mexico may be important in maintaining viable populations of ocelots within the U.S. The objectives of this study were to develop a cover map identifying ocelot habitat within a biological research area (Los Ebanos Ranch) in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and ground truth this cover map to measure its accuracy in identifying ocelot habitat. Using a LANDSAT ETM 7 image acquired in April 2000, we delineated supervised classification training sites based on known ocelot habitat defined as >75% woody cover using the ArcGIS 9 GIS software. Using the training sites delineated in ArcGIS 9, spectral signatures were developed for supervised classification within the ERDAS IMAGINE 8.7 software program producing a cover map identifying areas with >75% woody cover. We created random points within the cover map to measure its accuracy on the ground. The cover map was >85% successful in delineating ocelot habitat, thereby making it acceptable for land use classification. This technique could be used in studies to delineate cover types for other species, thereby providing biologists the ability to conduct habitat selection analysis, identify important conservation areas, and develop recovery strategies that link habitat patches.

PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here

 

(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union)