Detection of actual and assessment of potential plantations in Lao PDR using GIS and remote sensing technologies

Rubber in Laos Detection of actual and assessment of potential plantations in Lao PDR using GIS and remote sensing technologies Diplomarbeit der Philosophisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Bern vorgelegt von: Kaspar Hurni 2008 Leiter der Arbeit: Prof. Dr. Urs Wiesmann Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern ii Rubber in Laos Detection of actual and assessment of potential plantations in Lao PDR using GIS and remote sensing technologies Diplomarbeit der Philosophisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Bern vorgelegt von Kaspar Hurni 2008 Leiter der Arbeit: Prof. Dr. Urs Wiesmann Co-Leiter: Dr. Andreas Heinimann Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern ii Preface During my studies I had the chance to work as a tutorial assistant within the NCCR North-South at the Centre for Development and Environment of the Institute of Geog-raphy at the University of Bern. It was a huge opportunity to gain insight into the re-search context of the NCCR North-South and obtain some practical experience. Most of my knowledge and skills regarding GIS and Remote Sensing technologies were at-tained during this employment. Besides the administrative work I could also participate in more research-related tasks where I got in touch for the first time (although only digitally) with Laos. I performed a classification of satellite imagery in order to map land cover changes, which was part of a study assessing land cover changes in the lower Mekong region. When later on the decision on the topic of my diploma thesis came closer, I opted for a work in context with Laos, as it was a chance to visit a country for two months that I previously only knew through satellite imagery. Besides the opportunity to travel to Laos, the motivation for this thesis is mainly based on giving a contribution to the current research on rubber in Laos. Considering the amount of newly established rubber plantations in the recent years, research on the topic is indispensable regarding decision-making and elaboration of development strategies. Using my GIS and Remote Sensing competence and my fascination for the possibilities offered by spatial data and modelling approaches, I hope being able to add to the cur-rent research, or at least provide some thought-provoking impulses. Besides the institutional support acknowledged below many people contributed to this study in various ways. First I would like to thank Professor Urs Wiesmann, the leader of the thesis. His professorship at the University of Bern and his functions within the CDE and the NCCR North-South provided the background for various studies and re-search projects in Southeast Asia and thus enabled my research in Laos. My thanks go also to Dr. Andreas Heinimann, the co-leader of my thesis, who was, already during my time as tutorial assistant, my mentor regarding GIS and Remote Sensing technologies. While working on the thesis his inputs on various levels and the motivational words were indispensable. I am also very thankful for the support I received from Dr. Peter Messerli. He works in the research project on “Contextuality of Development Interventions” in Laos, and was the contact during the time I spent in Laos. He introduced me to several people and institutions in Laos and was very supportive in specifying the direction of my research at the initial stage. My acknowledgements go to Mr. Sangkhane who joined me for the field trip. His assis-tance during the interviews, knowledge on the Lao culture and the ability to contact people was very helpful. Additionally I would like to mention Mr. Mike Dwire and Mr. Phaythoune Pilakone who were very obliging in terms of sharing information and re-sources. iii ... - tailieumienphi.vn