Spatially explicit changes of forestland in Taiwan Province from 1910 to 2010

Reconstructing long-term changes of forest cover (FC) can provide reliable underlying data for carbon source/sink accounting and simulation the effects land use on climate environment. Historical maps contain a wealth related information first-hand studying in FC over long time period. Taking reconstruction Taiwan Province from 1910–2010 as research object, we used map extraction mining methods to extract distribution historical thematic survey maps, topographic reconstructed spatiotemporal patterns 1910–2010. The results show that: first, relative bias area extracted was below 8%, meaning contained is highly accurate. Second, has generally declined past 100 years. From 1910–2010, 2.62×106 ha 2.47×106 ha, with relatively obvious reduction having occurred. In stages, decreased by 26.39×104 1910 1950; increased 10.53×104 during period 1950–2010. Forest Japanese occupation period, while increase remarkable Kuomintang Third, study total patches maintained forests 2.17×106 little change overall pattern, were mainly distributed mountain regions. loss occurred plains, expanding areas regions at high elevations steep slopes. Fourth, clearing agriculture been important driver century. After retreated Taiwan, government introduced effective reforms that led restoration vegetation many where had previously disappeared.