Monitoring changes in landscape patterns of the Angelina National Forest, east Texas

Ecosystem management requires evaluation of landscape patterns and composition at both spatial and temporal scales. Since landscape patterns and their changes in the Angelina National Forest have not been evaluated, the purpose of my study was to determine landscape spatial patterns and changes, to analyze the relationship between private and National Forest management activities in landscape patterns.; I used LANDSAT MSS and TM imagery to map forest cover and detect major disturbances between 1974 and 1997 for a 244322.2 ha study area within the Angelina National Forest, Texas. Land-use or land cover were classified using IMAGINE classification tools with ground truthing. Classification results were analyzed using ESRITM Arc/Info. Changes in landscape patterns were examined by calculating landscape metrics describing overall landscape patterns and different ownership categories. Landscapes changed from large clumped patches to smaller, more-fragmented patches, and the landscapes become more complex. Public land appears to play a very important role in maintaining a less fragmented landscape.