Evaluating the relationship between land surface temperature and land use/land cover indices: Case study of a tropical town

Abstract

This study examines the temporal patterns of Land Surface Temperature (LST) between 2013 and 2022 in Krishnagar, a tropical city in West Bengal, India. Summer and winter images for the months May and December were obtained from the Landsat 8-9 satellite which provide multispectral images and two thermal infrared (TIR) bands to capture the surface temperature. The association of LST with vegetation, waterbodies and built-up areas were examined. The results show that LST is negatively associated with NDVI, show moderately positively associated with NDBI and LST and weakly positively associated with NDWI. The central portion of Krishnagar experienced decreased vegetation and water content and increase in built-up areas, which led to recurring heat hotspots over the years, even during winters. The study attempts to evaluate the LST dynamics in a Class I nonmetropolitan city to assist administrators in planning climate-smart cities for a robust future.