Remote Sensing-Based Study of Sylhet's Swamp Forests
Project Overview
Duration
July 2023 – June 2024
Institution
Sylhet Agricultural University
Degree
MS in Aquatic Resource Management
Supervisor
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Harun-Al-Rashid
Status
Thesis submitted, awaiting publication
Background
Swamp forests constitute some of Bangladesh’s scarcest and most ecologically valuable habitats, yet many remain virtually unstudied. Apart from Ratargul—already recognised and protected—sites such as Mayaban and three other major Sylhet swamp forests still lack basic ecological records. This study addresses that knowledge gap by tracking how these wetlands have evolved over space and time.
Employing a remote-sensing and GIS framework, and validating satellite observations with on-site surveys, the project will generate insights essential for sound conservation planning and sustainable management of Sylhet’s swamp-forest ecosystems.
***Detailed results will be shared upon publication.
Objectives
Analyze vegetation and wetland dynamics in Sylhet’s swamp forests (2000–2023).
Methodology
Imagery: Landsat 8 & Sentinel-2
Field validation: DJI Mavic Air 2 drone
Processing: Google Earth Engine, QGIS, Excel
Analysis: NDVI-based supervised classification, post-classification change detection, time-series trend assessment
Significance
The project extends attention past Ratargul to other Sylhet swamp forests, pairing multitemporal satellite imagery with field checks to reveal land-cover and ecological shifts. Its findings will guide targeted wetland management and provide a replicable monitoring template for understudied habitats.
Visuals of the Research Site
