Land use status and its impact on land surface temperature in Imphal city, India

Abstract

Land surface temperature (LST) primarily depends on various types of land use (LU). Along with the local warming, land conversion is the key factor in LST rise in an urban body. The present study investigates the LU status and the impact on LST in Imphal city of India using remotely sensed data. The study was performed on both summer and winter Landsat satellite images for 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021. Results show that most of the lands have been converted into settlements during the period. The average LST of the study area rises at 1.19% rate per decade in summer and 1.03% rate per decade in winter. Forest, agricultural land, and water bodies reduce the rate of LST rise while settlement and fallow lands accelerate the rate. The conversion of some forest and agricultural lands into settlement are quite responsible for the increase in surface temperature. The study reflects the effect of proper land conversion to check the LST rise. It is helpful for environmentalists and LU planners to develop a sustainable urban ecological status.