Understanding Land Cover Change Using a Harmonized Classification System in the Himalaya

A significant decrease in snow cover above 5000 meters and shifts from forest to shrub between 3000 and 4000 meters were identified in Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNPBZ), highlighting critical land cover changes in the Himalayas. The study employed a harmonized Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) developed by the FAO and UNEP, ensuring consistent definitions for reliable cross-region comparisons. Using satellite imagery from 1992 to 2006—Landsat TM, ETM+, and ASTER—and object-based image analysis, researchers mapped land cover changes with extensive field validation. This approach revealed that over 70% of SNPBZ is dominated by snow, ice, glaciers, bare rocks, and soil, with altitude significantly influencing vegetation distribution. The harmonized classification system improved accuracy and clarity, addressing past methodological inconsistencies in the region.

Bajracharya, B., Uddin, K., Chettri, N., Shrestha, B., & Siddiqui, S. A. (2010). Understanding Land Cover Change Using a Harmonized Classification System in the Himalaya. Mountain Research and Development, 30(2), 143. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-09-00044.1