Spatial temporal analysis of selected cypress forests in south Georgia from 1988 to 2013

Abstract

Throughout the southern United States there is growing controversy around the perceived increase of cypress being used for low value mulch and declines in cypress use as high value timber that has been associated with overharvest, particularly of young stands of cypress. This research evaluated if and how cypress resources in Georgia have changed in forest type or area over 25 years and if results from a survey of Georgia landowners and Georgia forestry professional’s perceptions of cypress trends in Georgia are consistent with the results of these analyses. Results from a temporal analysis of the study area bordering Pierce and Brantley Counties, GA using ISODATA unsupervised classification of aerial photographs indicate a slight decline in cypress resources in southern Georgia, while a temporal analysis of Landsat TM imagery indicated an increase in cypress. Results, while limited by high variability, tend to confirm perceptions of cypress resources from the survey.