Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This report studies three different maps portraying the areas around Ringsjö lakes. Two of these maps are historical maps from 1865 and 1915. The study of these maps was done in the Geographic Information System QGIS. The historical maps lacked coordinates and had to be georeferenced to be used properly in QGIS. With all maps at the same coordinates, overlapping with one another, the map that covered the smallest area and thus was limiting the scope of our survey was identified. In this case the 1915 map. Further the survey area was divided in two, as there was an expected difference between the regions north and south of the lakes. Largely believed to be due to a difference in soil. The south having more fertile soil. The areas on each map identified as forests were created into raster/polygon layers, to be analyzed. They were also grouped into groups based on whether it was a deciduous or coniferous forest. On the 1865 and 1915 maps the deciduous forest was also split into two groups to differentiate significantly sparser areas. On the newer 2015 map the deciduous forest was split into two groups one for pine and one for spruce.
The results revealed an overall increase of forest area in the north whereas in the south there was a general decrease. This is due to the difference in soil. In the north the prior outfields and grazing grounds for cattle were either planted or let be overgrown by forest. In the south, where the soil was better, there was a greater incentive to cultivate them.
There was also a noticeable difference in the species composition. An increase of deciduous trees was noted and particularly with spruce. The reason for this is the increase in knowledge and experience of these species. As well as the fact that the spruce yielded higher profit than the beech, which had been a popular choice in species before.