Proc. A.P.

Akademi of Sciences, Hyderabad

MAPPING THE VEGETATION TYPES OF ANDHRA PRADESH,

INDIA USING REMOTE SENSING
C. SUDHAKAR REDDY, GIRISH S. PUJAR, S. SUDHAKAR, SHILPA BABAR,
K. SUDHA, SHIVAM TRIVEDI, B. GHARAI AND M.S.R. MURTHY
Forestry and Ecology Division, National Remote Sensing Agency, Department of Space,
Balanagar, Hyderabad -500 037
E-mail: drsudhakarreddy@gmail.com, pujargs@gmail.com

Abstract
Mapping the distributions of vegetation types and land uses provides critical information
for managing landscapes to sustain their biodiversity. In the present study vegetation
types and land use of Andhra Pradesh were mapped using dry and green seasons satellite
data (IRS P6 LISS III) of 2003-2004 at 1:50,000 scale. On screen image interpretation
technique was used in mapping the heterogeneity of land cover classes. Field information
was collected for vegetation types and locale specific vegetation formations. In Andhra
Pradesh, vegetation cover occupies 23.03% of total geographical area. While, forest
cover of the State is estimated to 44,334 km2, accounting for about 16.12% of total
geographical area. Based on remote sensing data, thirteen major discernable forest type
classes were identified and delineated viz., Semi Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Dry
Deciduous, Dry Evergreen, Thorn, Teak mixed, Bamboo mixed, Mangrove, Riverine
forest, woodland, tree savannah and forest plantation. Most abundant forest type was Dry
Deciduous forest, which comprised 73.4% of the total forest area, followed by Moist
Deciduous forest of 10.9%. Scrub also occupies significant area, which is about 6.5% of
geographical area of State. The vegetation type map prepared provides a key input for
biodiversity characterization at landscape level and conservation plan.
Key words: Remote Sensing, Andhra Pradesh, Visual interpretation, Vegetation types.

INTRODUCTION
Mapping the distributions of vegetation types and human land uses provides critical
information for managing landscapes to sustain their biodiversity and the structure and
function of their ecosystems (Helmer et al. 2002). Because vegetation type can link to
species composition or habitat types, vegetation maps provide crucial information for
biodiversity conservation planning. Spatially explicit inventories of vegetation types and
land cover permit comparisons between particular vegetation distributions and
distributions of land cover, land-cover change, expected global scale changes and issues
of protected areas. With the current trend of increasing rate of deforestation and loss of
habitats in densely populated developing countries, there is a urgent need to generate
database which is available for planning, decision making, and further objective oriented
requirements. Satellite remote sensing along with Geographic Information System (GIS)
provides a cost and time effective solution to collect, process and integrate database in an
effective manner. With the increasing technology availability both in spatial and spectral
sensors it is much more robust in identifying areas for biodiversity assessment (Blamont
and Mering, 1987).

In the present study, an attempt was made to generate the baseline data on vegetation
types and land use for Andhra Pradesh which covers a major part of Eastern Ghats and
East Coast ecosystems. Many global initiatives like MODIS Land cover estimation, Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) assessments, Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF)
give estimation of forest cover with coarse resolution data which may not match all the
requirement of planners and ecologists. In developing countries like India the mapping
techniques using conventional methods can be complicated and time intensive.

Mapping natural vegetation with use of satellite image in complex terrain areas of
tropical forest is difficult. Common problem is that the land cover formations and
illumination angle changes over small areas may result in spectral confusion. Also, the
human disturbance induces sere like stages during recovery/degradation which can create
spectral confusion (Helmer, 2000). Another most important challenge for image based
mapping of tropical vegetation is spatial scale and class resolution. Recent land cover
maps at global and sub continental eco-region level (Hansen et al., 2000) are too coarse
for biodiversity conservation. As the land cover in Andhra Pradesh represents diverse
vegetation formations, on screen visual image interpretation approach was resorted to
delineate various vegetation types. Although some attempts for the image based analysis
like image segmentation, supervised classification, unsupervised classification and hybrid
approach (Helmer et. al., 2002; Singh et al., 2005; Prasad et al. 2007) are used, for
current study area, visual image interpretation method was used.
The objective of our study was to develop a vegetation type map on 1:50,000 scale for
Andhra Pradesh, which is the basic contribution for the protected area and biodiversity
management.

STUDY AREA
The State of Andhra Pradesh (The land of Telugu people) is situated in the middle of
eastern half of the Indian Peninsula lying between 120 41' - 190 54' N latitudes and 760 46'
- 840 45' E longitudes. It is bounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east, Tamil Nadu in the
south, Karnataka in the west, and Maharashtra, Chaattisgarh and Orissa in the north.

Administratively, Andhra Pradesh has 23 districts which were grouped into three zones:
(1) Circars or Coastal Andhra with nine districts, i.e. East Godavari, Guntur, Krishna,
Nellore, Prakasam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and West Godavari (2)
Rayalaseema with four ceded districts, i.e. Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah and Kurnool
(3) Telangana (Deccan or erstwhile Nizam's Dominions of Hyderabad State) with 10
districts, i.e. Adilabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Medak,
Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy and Warangal.
Geographically, the State is categorized into three regions, namely: (1) the Coastal Plains
(along the east coast, a low-lying area from from Srikakulam to Nellore) mainly of
agricultural land, (2) the Eastern Ghats, forming a chain of discontinuous range of hills
along the coast with good vegetation, and (3) the Deccan Plateau consisting of
agricultural lands, scrub and deciduous forests, which cover part of Kurnool (excl.
Nallamalais), Anantapur districts (excl. Nigidi hills) and the major part of Telangana. The
total forest cover of the State is 44,419 sq.kms, which occupies 16% of the total
geographical area of 275, 068 sq km (FSI, 2003).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IRS-P6 LISS-III satellite data of both dry and wet seasons (2003-2004) were taken for
study, which was geometrically rectified with an average of less than one pixel accuracy
using ERDAS Imagine 9.0. Ortho-rectified Landsat ETM+ datasets were downloaded
from GLCF website (http://glcf.umiacs.umd.edu/) for reference. The raw digital data
were enhanced using contrast stretching or ratio based techniques to facilitate better
discrimination during ground data collection. Ground truthing was undertaken to get

acquainted with the general patterns of vegetation types of the area. Major vegetation
types and a few prime localities of characteristic types were recorded. The variation and
tonal patterns were observed on existing maps/images. To facilitate the on-screen visual
interpretation, some site-specific vegetation types were identified and image chips were
extracted from corresponding IRS P6 LISS-III scenes. These image chips were collected
for both seasons and arranged along with respective ground photographs. The image
chips were used as a key reference material during visual interpretation.

Preparation of vegetation and land cover map was accomplished through visual
interpretation of multi-season satellite images on the basis of image elements like size,
shape, pattern, association, tone and textural variations within a given scene. The
difference in the reflectance of various forest cover classes is determined by spatial,
spectral, radiometric and temporal resolutions. However, prima facie, the differences in
spectral radiance of each forest category become the basis for the identification of
different land use/land cover features on a satellite images. In the current approach
interpretation was carried out in on screen mode to facilitate the best discernability of
image components. It combines the ability of the software to carry out flexible
enhancements as well as multiple band and spectral ratio combinations kept either as
stack or simultaneous visualizations.
The forest cover classification given by Champion and Seth (1968) was considered while
deriving the forest type classes. The distribution of various forest types pertain to Andhra
Pradesh was consulted (Reddy, 2007). In accordance with this other ancillary information

like rainfall, mean temperature, soil layer, geologic formation was used to differentiate
between different forest types (Champion and Seth, 1968).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In Andhra Pradesh, vegetation cover occupies 23.03% of total geographical area.
While forest cover of the State is estimated as 44,334 km2. The area under forest cover is
proportionately 16.12 % of total geographical area (table 1). False Colour Composite
image of IRS P6 LISS III was shown in Fig. 1. The forest types found in Andhra Pradesh
are Semi Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Dry Deciduous, Dry Evergreen, Thorn, Teak
mixed, Bamboo mixed, mangrove, riverine forest, woodland, tree savannah and forest
plantation (Table 2). Most abundant forest type was Dry Deciduous forest (Fig. 2) which
comprises 73.36% of the total forest area, followed by Moist Deciduous forest of
10.98%. Scrub/shrub land occupies significant area, which is about 6.54% (which
includes open scrub also).
Table 1. Areal extent of Vegetation and Land Use of Andhra Pradesh

Sl.no.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Class
Forest
Scrub
Grassland
Subtotal
Orchards
Agriculture
Barren land
Water body
Wetland
Settlement
Subtotal
Grand total

Area
(km2)
44334.0
17982.9
1032.7
63349.5
2764.3
183707.6
11001.0
8957.3
2615.2
2674.1
211719.5
275069.0

% of
Area
16.12
6.54
0.38
23.03
1.00
66.79
4.00
3.26
0.95
0.97
76.97
100.00

Table 2. Areal extent of forest types of Andhra Pradesh

Sl.no.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Class
Semi Evergreen forest
Moist Deciduous forest
Dry Deciduous forest
Thorn forest
Dry Evergreen forest
Teak mixed forest
Bamboo mixed forest
Mangrove
Riverine forest
Forest Plantation
Woodland
Tree Savannah
Grand total

Area
(km2)
1585.4
4865.85
32524.03
66.42
221.55
461.14
654.02
329.00
1209.09
1156.99
397.59
862.92
44334.0

% of
Area
3.58
10.98
73.36
0.15
0.50
1.04
1.48
0.74
2.73
2.61
0.90
1.95
100.00

The important vegetation types of Andhra Pradesh were discussed below:

Tropical Semi-evergreen forest: It is dominated by Michelia champaca, Pterocarpus
marsupium, Litsea spp, Syzygium cumini, Nothopegia heyneana, Schleichera oleosa,
Diospyros sylvatica and Mangifera indica. Semi-evergreen forests were seen only in the
northern parts of Andhra Pradesh and can be found in Chintapalle, Gudem, Lankapakala,
Sambarikonda, Upper Sileru, Sapparla hills of Visakhapatnam, Dummakonda,
Peddakonda hills of East Godavari and Papikonda hills of West Godavari. This can be
attributed to the prevailing climatic conditions and the topography of this region. Total
area covered by this forest is 1,585.4 km2 (3.58% of total forest area). Image shows these
areas as bright tone with rough texture in both seasons. Association feature include
interior terrain, riverine areas of moister tracts, charcterised by interspersion of shadows
and moist decioduous patches. Trans-seasonal feature would be persistence of foliage.

Moist Deciduous forest: These forests depicted prominence of Xylia xylocarpa,

Terminalia alata, Protium serratum, Diospyros montana, Lannea coromandelica,
Madhuca indica, Mallotus philippensis, Pterocarpus marsupium and Buchanania lanzan.
It is found extensively in Eastern Ghats of northern Andhra Pradesh region, parts of
Khammam, Gundlabrahmeswaram of Nallamalais and Talakona RF in Chittoor district.
The area coverage is about 4,865.85 km2. (10.98% of total forest area).
Image features appear as a bright red to brown tinged red tone with smooth
texture in green season image and mottled dark tone with rough texture in dry season.
Formation is generally the outer fringes of core semi-evergreen patches and extends till
the end of forest limits at places. Wherever it is in proximity of dry deciduous forest,
moist deciduous forests form the core of the system.
Dry Deciduous forest: This forest type shows prominence of Anogeissus latifolia,
Terminalia alata, Diospyros melanoxylon, Lannea coromandelica, Tectona grandis,
Xylia xylocarpa and Gardenia spp. The dry deciduous forests are conspicuous in entire
Andhra Pradesh with dominance in Telangana and Rayalaseema districts. It occurs at an
altitude of around 200-600 mts. It is spreading over an area of 32,524 km2 (73.36% of
total forest area). Dominance of species differs across different physiographic regions.
In Deccan plateau Tectona grandis-Terminalia alata are the dominant species, while in
Southern Andhra Pradesh, Anogeissus latifolia and Lannea coromandelica is dominant.
Eastern Ghats of northern Andhra Pradesh shows predominance of Xylia xylocarpa with
Terminalia alata.

Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is gregarious species in Seshachalam hills

of Cuddapah and Chittoor districts. Some species like Boswellia ovalifoliolata, Shorea
tumbaggaia, Terminalia pallida are found only in Southern Andhra region.
In green season satellite image dry deciduous forest looks dark red in tone with
rough texture, but in dry season the areas take up greenish shade with no evidence of
foliage. Background reflectance of dry/often burnt undergrowth marks this system.
Contiguity of these forests over large areas is common and can be generally found
interspersed with contrasting fringing forests in dry season.
Southern Thorn forest: It prevails mostly in Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah and
Nalgonda districts. This is characteristic of the dry areas with low rainfall and high
temperatures. Common species in this type are Acacia chundra, Acacia leucophloea,
Albizia amara, Catunaregum spinosa, Canthium parviflorum, Mimosa hamata, Prosopis
spicigera, Prosopis juliflora, Acacia caesia etc.
On image it gives a rough texture with light to dark tone in both dry and wet season
image.
Dry Evergreen forest: These areas show dominance of Albizia amara, Atalantia
monophylla, Manilkara hexandra, Mimusops elengi, Erythroxylum monogynum,
Strychnos nux-vomica, Sapindus emarginatus, Gyrocarpus americanus, Drypetes
sepiaria, Phyllanthus chorisandra and Flacourtia indica. It is found in Vinukonda range
of Guntur district, Kondapalle of Krishna district and Mamandur valley of Seshachalam
hills. These forests are consisting of mostly small leathery-leaved evergreen trees with
short trunks and spreading crowns and the dense shrubby undergrowth.

Satellite image shows these areas as dark brown tone with smooth texture, as they retain
leaves in all seasons.
Teak mixed forest: It is one of dominant gregarious forest type associated with dry
deciduous system and found in Adilabad, Karimnagar and parts of East Godavari. Area
covered by this type is 461.14 km2. The species composition is similar to dry deciduous
forest. On satellite image it gives appearance of dark brown tone with rough texture in
December image but it gets mixed up with dry deciduous forest in dry season. One of the
most characteristic features regarding association is the contiguous tracts prevailing in
foot hills and on low altitude hills of the plateau. Relatively intense ground truthing is
essential for confirmation, in spite of its characteristic smoky looking dry deciduous tone
at places.
Bamboo mixed forest: Bambusa arundinacea and Dendrocalamus strictus are the main
gregarious bamboo species found in Andhra Pradesh, which gives bright to mixed pink
tone in green season and no particular trace in dry season. This type is found in parts of
Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Khammam and Adilabad districts. Area
covered is around 654 km2.
Mangrove: Most unique system immediately apparent due to high contrast, artistic
looking meanders of small to large size and maritime presence. This forest type of east
coast, distributed mainly in East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and parts of
Prakasham districts. Unfortunately several patches, rather major ones show up signs of
disturbance due to land use influences. Vivid contrasts become apparent by combinations
including SWIR region set for masked mangrove areas, possibly due to moisture
gradients in and around vegetation systems. Based on tonal variations Avicennia,

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Rhizophora, Excoecaria communities were identified in mangroves. Total area covered

by mangroves is 329 km2.
Riverine forest: These forests are interspersed in deciduous systems, wherever streams
and rivers flow as surface or subsurface channel over longer periods than surroundings.
The species constituting such forests include Glochidion zeylanicum, Pongamia pinnata,
Mangifera indica, Barringtonia acutangula, Terminalia arjuna, Oroxylum indicum,
Trema orientalis, Memecylon umbellatum. These forests should attract interest, since,
during lean periods seem to support lot of fauna. Almost near perfect contrasts are
apparent during dry seasons on image. Image shows these areas as bright tone in both
seasons. These areas are linear and fallows drainage pattern.
Scrub: Scrub is a vegetation cover predominantly occupied by shrubs or poor tree growth
chiefly of small or stunted trees with crown density less than 10%. Ontogeny is strongly
biotic to bio-edaphic. These systems, generally seen in the fringes of forests and hill tops
and near by settlements. It is the second most dominant vegetation class covering an area
of 17,982 sq. km. It is spread over in all the districts and majority in Nalgonda,
Anantapur, Nellore, Chittoor and Visakhapatnam districts. Image feature of this category
seems almost invariant across seasons, due to prevalence of hardy, leathery evergreen
foliage characteristic of arid tendencies. Adjacency factors are key to interpretation on
images. Though considered as degradation stage, has immense biomass potential for
habitations around.
Grasslands: Grasslands are mostly found in Rollapadu sanctuary and environs of
Kurnool district and as small patches in hill tops of Eastern Ghats of northern Andhra
Pradesh. Smooth, texture less expanse restricted to hill tops mark the land cover.

11

Occasional to frequent woodland or tree savannah in the fringes of grasslands need to be

observed for further confirmation. May mix with barren areas if single season is used,
though for an experienced interpreter the association induced distinction is hard to ignore.
Other Non Vegetation Classes: Orchards includes the fruit plants plantation cultivated
along with the agricultural field. Orchards were mostly concentrated in East Godavari,
West Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts. These include coconut, mango, cashew-nut
etc. Current crop lands and current fallow lands were mapped under single class
Agriculture. Most of the land use area in Andhra Pradesh is under agriculture (66.79%),
as this is the main occupation of people. There are about 72 crops were grown in the
State. Paddy, cotton, sugarcane, maize, pulses, sorghum, bajra, ground nut, wheat are the
principal crops. Operational estimation systems are in place elsewhere to derive single or
multiple cropping areas from satellite remote sensing. Scope of the current exercise was
for forested vegetation.
Along with this other classes mapped were sand, water, settlement, barren land
and wetland, which have relatively far better distinction and ease of interpretation as far
as the accuracy for the current scheme was considered. Visual interpretation procedure
help to tide over conspicuous digital processing glitch like confusion between cases of
barren lands and settlements, water and wetlands (which have interspersed shallow
areas/vegetation clads) and alike.

CONCLUSIONS
The advent of the satellite remote sensing and sensor related technological advancement
providing competitive spectral, spatial and temporal resolutions has made it possible to

12

prepare reliable and precise vegetation type maps. These vegetation type maps are prime
input for landscape ecological analysis as it represents mapping units that can be linked to
the biodiversity and status of ecosystem. The study demonstrated the use of visual image
interpretation technique in mapping the complex and heterogenous land cover classes
using satellite data.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are thankful to Dr. K. Radha Krishnan, Director, Dr. P.S. Roy, Deputy Director
(RS & GIS), NRSA, Hyderabad for suggestions and encouragement. The present work is
carried out as part of national project on Biodiversity characterization at landscape level
using satellite remote sensing and geographical information system in Eastern Ghats and
East Coast with financial support of Department of Space and Department of
Biotechnology, Govt. of India.

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Hansen, M. C., Defries, R.S., Townshend, J.R.G. and Sohlberg, R. (2000). Global land
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Fig.1. False Colour Composite IRS P6 LISS III image of Andhra Pradesh
(February, 2004)

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Fig.2. Vegetation and Land use map of Andhra Pradesh

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