Potential utility of SumbandilaSat imagery for monitoring indigenous forest health

Indigenous forest is the smallest biome in South Africa, covering an estimated area of 7000km2, or 0.56% of the total land area of the country. Indigenous forest degradation is regarded as one of the most important environmental issues facing South Africa. Indigenous forest degradation is characterised by habitat fragmentation stemming from logging of large parcels of forest, forest clearance for agriculture and settlements as well as species loss as a result of selective logging or harvesting.