The dynamics of land cover in conservation areas using cloud computing platform: Cases in Gunung Merbabu National Park

Abstract

It is critical to consider all aspects of conservation areas, inside and outside, when maintaining them. Land cover dynamics in conservation areas mostly have not yet been considered in conservation area management practices, both geographically and temporally. The advancement of technology with cloud computing can speed up and simplify the acquisition of data and information on the dynamics of land cover changes. This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of land cover change in the Gunung Merbabu National Park (GMbNP) area from 1995 to the present. The method for determining land cover change dynamics was used and assessed by creating a code for land cover classification using the random forest classification algorithm on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The results showed that from 1995 to 2020, pine forests in GMbNP area decreased by 575.765 ha from the previous 1427,961 ha in 1995. The dynamics of land cover changes outside the area need to be the concern of area managers because agricultural land and built-up land are increasing of 5.42% and 113.2%, significantly beyond the area. Referring to those dynamic conditions, it should be a concern in planning and policy-making conservation management.