2. USING SENTINEL-1 SAR RADAR IMAGERY TO ASSESS FOREST PROTECTION EFFECTIVENESS IN CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK, VIETNAM

Tóm tắt

Forest ecosystems in tropical regions face increasing threats from human pressures and climate variability, requiring reliable monitoring approaches to inform conservation and management. This study assesses forest changes in Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam, from 2017 to 2025 using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data and the Radar Forest Degradation Index (RFDI). The analysis distinguishes between undisturbed, degraded, and recovered forests across both core and buffer zones, providing additional insights at the commune level. Results reveal that the core zone retains a high proportion of undisturbed forest, demonstrating the effectiveness of strict protection policies, whereas the buffer zone shows more pronounced degradation associated with agricultural expansion, fuelwood extraction, and local livelihood activities. Nevertheless, areas of recovery in several communes point to the positive impacts of reforestation projects and community-based conservation initiatives. The findings highlight the spatial heterogeneity of forest change and underscore the need for tailored management strategies for core and buffer areas.