Multi-Temporal Study of Land Use Land Cover Changes

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities have profound impact on Land use and land cover (LULC) the world over affecting all abiotic and biotic components in all environments. Studying the effects of past, present and future LULC on forest cover and other dynamic land uses provide valuable information for environmental, land planning and climate change mitigation measures. This study uses a combined methodology of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System to map historical, current and future LULC through Satellite imagery (Landsat TM, Landsat ETM+, ALOS, Disaster Monitoring Constellation-DMC and SENTINEL) covering Greater Kumasi in a 40-year period. LULC classes such as Agriculture, Builtup, Close Forest, Open Forest, and water were considered based on the predominant geographical sceneries, remote sensing data and field study. Markov Cellular Automata modelling was employed for the estimation of likely LULC changes for the year 2040. The study discovered a perturbing development of forest loss (forest degradation and deforestation), decreasing agricultural activities whiles the Built-up share ballooned. Increasing urbanization at the expense of forest cover and transformation of agricultural lands into human settlements were observed. The forecasted LULC map for 2040 indicated an upward growth in Built up areas at the detriment of the other LULC categories. The outcomes validate the urgent necessity for critical review of regulations in LULC policy strategy, design, and development for the protection of forests and other critical ecosystem services to be preserved. This trend encompassing historical, current and future LULC necessitates that prudent resolutions have to be made to guarantee forest cover, make available land for agriculture and to mitigate the effects of the climate change