Assessment of Land-use Changes and Landscape Pattern through Landsat Data in the Chalus Watershed, North of Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Article

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Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

Abstract

Land use change represents a critical challenge, potentially altering the landscape pattern. This study aims to evaluate land-use changes in the Chalus watershed in northern Iran and analyze its landscape patterns from 1982 to 2022. Land-use maps were generated using Landsat 3, 5, 7, and 8 imagery within the Google Earth Engine platform, and the changes were assessed with the Land Change Modeler (LCM) in TerrSet. Key landscape metrics, including patch density (PD), number of patches (NP), largest patch index (LPI), landscape shape index (LSI), edge density (ED), and patch cohesion index (PCI), were measured at the landscape scale (entire watershed) using Fragstats. The findings revealed that the rangeland, forest, agricultural land, built-up areas, and water bodies experienced changes of +23736, -25124, +274, +1016, and +99 ha, respectively, from 1982 to 2022. The results indicate that significant changes occurred across the watershed landscape regarding patch number, density, shape, and size, demonstrating substantial habitat fragmentation over this period. The study findings demonstrate that development trends over the past four decades have led to increases in land-use change within the region, which in turn has perpetuated landscape fragmentation and a reduction in natural habitats. This study identified the expansion of built-up areas and agricultural activities as significant contributors to the intensification of habitat fragmentation. Consequently, strategic measurements and planning are essential to prevent further fragmentation and degradation of the landscape.

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Main Subjects

Sustainable Earth Trends

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 February 2025

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