ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Monitoring and Protection of Tourist
Forests using Landsat Data: Case of El
Kala National Park (Algeria)
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1
Laboratory of urban and environmental analysis, Land Planning Department, Earth science faculty,
Badji Mokhtar – Annaba University Box 12, Annaba, 23000, Algeria
2
Department of Earth Sciences, Institute of Architecture and Earth Sciences, Abbas Ferhat University,
Sétif, Algeria, Laboratory of urban and environmental analysis, Earth science faculty, Badji Mokhtar – Annaba
University Box 12, Annaba, 23000, Algeria
Submission date: 2024-03-20
Final revision date: 2024-04-29
Acceptance date: 2024-05-17
Online publication date: 2024-10-29
Corresponding author
Karima Chabbi
Laboratory of urban and environmental analysis, Land Planning Department, Earth science faculty,
Badji Mokhtar – Annaba University Box 12, Annaba, 23000, Algeria
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ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the monitoring and protection of tourist forests within El Kala National
Park, using data from the Landsat program. Over the period 2013 to 2023, analysis of satellite images,
combined with the use of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and a dimidiated pixel
model, revealed significant changes in vegetation coverage. The results indicate a significant decrease
in forest cover, particularly in the northwest, northeast, and south regions of the park, attributable to
various threats such as fires, increasing urbanization, agricultural expansion, illegal logging, land
clearing, and overgrazing. The study highlights the imperative for urgent conservation measures,
including increased monitoring, strict enforcement of laws against illegal logging, public awareness,
and increased efforts to fight fires. An integrated approach involving local authorities, communities,
environmental experts, and conservation organizations is crucial to ensuring the preservation of this
valuable forest resource and maintaining regional ecological balance.