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Copyright of Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Science & Engineering / Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Fen Ve Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Science & Literature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The increase in flood events observed in West African countries, and often in specific river basins, can be influenced by several factors, including anthropogenic land use and land-cover changes. However, the potential contribution of land cover changes to flood events still needs to be explored, especially in West Africa. Here, the fully coupled atmosphere-hydrology WRF-Hydro system, which comprises an atmospheric model and additionally incorporates the surface, subsurface, overland flow, and channel routing, is used to investigate the potential impact of a land cover change scenario on flood events in the Senegal River basin. The simulation was performed from 2010 to 2020, with a calibration period spanning from 2011 to 2012 and a validation period from 2013 to 2020. Several skill scores, including Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), BIAS, and Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE), were utilized to assess the calibration and validation performances. Additionally, two planetary boundary layer schemes (PBL5 and PBL7) were used to determine their associated uncertainty. Our results show that the best calibration results (NSE = 0.70; KGE = 0.83; PBIAS = -7% and BE = 0.67) in the Senegal River basin are obtained with PBL5 when the calibration is performed with a SLOPE parameter 0.03. A similar good performance was also obtained for the validation with NSE = 0.74, KGE = 0.84, and PBIAS = -8%. Likewise, our findings indicate that converting savanna to woody savannas can elevate water resources, with a 2% rise in precipitation and a 4% increase in runoff. This transition also correlates with an increase in moderate flood events (3500-4000 m3/s), a decrease in severe floods (4000-5000 m3/s), and their associated occurrence of extreme floods (>5000 m3/s) in the Senegal River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA) in Temon sub-district is aimed at improving the progress of the surrounding region, where the construction has an impact on the increase in built-up land of 572.38 hectare (2013–2017) and 268.67 hectare (2017–2023) which is potentially a decrease in the environmental quality index. The purpose of the research was to analyze changes in the environmental quality index Risk Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) of 2013, 2017 and 2024 around NYIA. The research designs used quantitative approaches with scoring approaches, while research methods used spectral transformation and Principal Component Analysis transformation. The research has limited the use of Landsat 8 image data as a primary data source with a spatial resolution of 30 meters, where the image has not yet been able to deliver the results of the research with a high degree of exhaustion. The originality of the research is the identification of changes in the environmental quality index that are correlated with changes in built-up land and vegetation coverage. The results of the study showed a decrease in the RSEI values, where high-level RSEIs decreased by about 295.17 hectare (2013–2017) and 1720.91 hectare (2017–2024), in addition there was an increase in the area of low-level RSEI by about 122.33 hectare (2013–2017) and 1898.79 hectare (2017–2024). The decline in RSEI in the area study has been correlated with increased built-up land and decreased vegetation area, with built-up land increasing by 572.38 hectare (2013–2017) and 269.97 hectare (2017–2024), besides decreasing vegetation areas by 137.82 hectare (2013–2017), and 97.34 hectare (2017–2024). The study concluded that there was a decrease in the environmental quality index, where increased built-up land and decreased vegetation area were influential factors. This research opens up further research opportunities to predict the environmental quality index with the cellular automata model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Efforts to enhance carbon stocks and boost carbon absorption potential are essential for climate change mitigation. Peatland ecosystems, known for their high organic content, are particularly vulnerable to environmental management. The study aimed to examine the alterations in land use and land cover that occurred between 1998 and 2022, spanning a 24-year duration. Additionally, it sought to assess the associated variations in carbon stocks within the designated Kepau Jaya specific purpose forest area. The area under investigation encompasses a peatland ecosystem that has experienced substantial changes in land cover and land use. This study investigated the fluctuations in carbon stock caused by these alterations and provides valuable perspectives on the potential of agroforestry systems to promote a wider range of land uses. Additionally, it highlights their role in ecosystem restoration initiatives and the better management of forest peatland regions. METHODS: A spatial analysis was conducted on Landsat 5 and 8 satellite images by using shapefile data stored within the Google Earth Engine platform. Data analysis was carried out using Classification and Regression Tree, a decision tree algorithm used in machine learning for guided classification. Furthermore, purposive sampling was utilized to gather socioeconomic data, followed by the implementation of a benefit-cost analysis. FINDINGS: The results revealed significant changes in the land cover within the Kepau Jaya specific purpose forest area over a 24-year period, with forested areas and open areas decreasing by 23.15 hectares per year and 16.94 hectares per year respectively, and oil palm plantation areas expanding by 40.10 hectares per year. From 1998 to 2022, there has been a consistent annual decline in carbon stocks, resulting in a reduction of 1,933.11 tons of carbon per year. The changes in land use and cover are closely linked to this decline. In an effort to increase plant species diversity in the area and support the gradual transition away from monoculture, a participatory agroforestry scheme was implemented by intercropping Coffea liberica and Shorea balangeran between oil palm rows in a 2-hectare oil palm plantation block within the agroforestry demonstration plot. According to measurements taken at breast height, the aboveground biomass of these species was measured, leading to projected estimates of carbon stocks in Kepau Jaya specific purpose forest area reaching 19,455 tonnes of carbon by the year 2030, with Coffea liberica contributing 4,148 tonnes carbon and Shorea balangeran contributing 15,307 tonnes carbon. CONCLUSION: The study area experienced a substantial reduction in forest cover, whereas the extent of oil palm areas expanded significantly. The findings underscore the need for proactive measures to strengthen the governance of specific-purpose forest areas through community empowerment and the establishment of demonstration plots to promote agroforestry development. The results of this study provide insights for long-term forest rehabilitation strategies aimed at fostering sustainable forest management that yields environmental and socio-economic benefits in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2020, an extreme rainfall in Baixada Santista, Brazil, led to a series of landslides affecting more than 2800 people and resulting losses exceeding USD 43 million. This attribution study compared extreme rainfall in two large ensembles of the UK Met Office Hadley Centre HadGEM3-GA6 model that represented the event with and without the effects of anthropogenic climate change. Antecedent rainfall conditions on two different timescales are considered, namely extreme 60-day rainfall (Rx60day) which relates to the soil moisture conditions and extreme 3-day rainfall (Rx3day) which represents landslide triggering heavy rainfall. In the scenario including both natural and human-induced factors the antecedent 60 day rainfall became 74% more likely, while the short-term trigger was 46% more likely. The anthropogenic contribution to changes in rainfall accounted for 20–42% of the total losses and damages. The greatest economic losses occurred in Guarujá (42%), followed by São Vicente (30%) and Santos (28%). Landslides were responsible for 47% of the homes damaged, 85% of the homes destroyed, all reported injuries, and 51% of the deaths associated with heavy rainfall. Changes in land cover and urbanization showed a pronounced increase in urbanized area in Guarujá (107%), São Vicente (61.7%) and Santos (36.9%) and a reduction in farming area. In recent years, the region has experienced an increase in population growth and a rise in the proportion of irregular and/or precarious housing in high-risk areas. Guarujá has the highest number of such dwellings, accounting for 34.8%. Our estimates suggest that extreme precipitation events are having shorter return periods due to climate change and increased urbanization and population growth is exposing more people to these events. These findings are especially important for decision-makers in the context of disaster risk reduction and mitigation and adaptation to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate assessment of the spatial–temporal variations in regional net ecosystem productivity (NEP), water use efficiency (WUE), and carbon use efficiency (CUE) are vital for understanding the water–carbon cycle. We analyzed the spatial–temporal patterns of the NEP, WUE, and CUE in the middle reaches of the Yellow River (MRYR) from 2001 to 2022, and the factors that influenced them using remote sensing data, NEP estimation models, and various statistical methods. The results indicate that the recovery of the ecosystem in the MRYR is a result of the combined effects of climate change and human activities. Climate change in the MRYR led to warming and humidification from 2001 to 2022. The NEP, WUE, and CUE were characterized by increasing trends, with average growth rates of 7.75 gC m−2a−1, 0.012 gC m−2 mm−1a−1, and 0.009a−1, respectively. For four vegetation types, the interannual rates of change were, in descending order, grassland, cropland, shrubs, and forest. Spatially, the NEP, WUE, and CUE showed significant regional heterogeneity, increasing from the northwest to the southeast. Based on an analysis of the interannual anomalies, precipitation accumulation contributed to carbon sink accumulation. The correlation of the NEP, WUE, and CUE with the drought severity index (DSI) was high, and their correlation with precipitation showed latitudinal zonality, which suggests that precipitation (PRE) is the main climatic factor influencing the water–carbon cycle in the MRYR rather than temperature (TEM). There were 67,671.27 km2 of land that changed use during 2001–2022, and 15.07 Tg of NEP was added to these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land cover change influences the provision of regional ecosystem services, posing a threat to regional ecological security and sustainable development. The Kuye River Basin, a vital tributary of the Yellow River Basin, has experienced significant land cover changes due to intense human activity. Building on analysing the spatiotemporal evolution of land use cover and ecosystem service values from 1990 to 2022, this study predicted the land cover structure and ecosystem service value with two future scenarios, the NDC and the EPC, to provide insights into guiding sustainable policy interventions. We found the predominant land cover types were greensward and forest land, accounting for 67.22% of the total area. Forest land, greensward, and farmland have increased, while desert, water area, and other land types have decreased from 1990 to 2022. Forest land, greensward, farmland, and water areas are the main contributors to ecosystem service value in the Kuye River Basin. However, water area services have significantly decreased from 1990 to 2022. Under the NDC scenario, land development primarily relies on greensward and farmland, reducing forest and water areas and weakening the ecosystem's regulatory and supporting functions. In contrast, the EPC scenario enhances ecosystem services by protecting critical ecological regions. Ecological protection measures significantly increase the ecosystem service values of the Kuye River Basin, and well-planned land use can effectively balance economic development with ecological preservation. This study provides scientific evidence to inform policies integrating ecological protection and economic growth, contributing to the sustainable development of the Kuye River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Maasai Mara and the wider Mau River Basin in East Africa provide fundamental ecosystem services that support people, wildlife, livestock and agriculture. The historical indigenous land use of the Mara and wider Mau basin was wildlife conservation and pastoralism with highland agriculture. However, land policy changes, the rise of community conservancies and the increase in human populations have mediated unprecedented land use shifts over time. We analyze land use and land cover change (LULCC) trends from 1990 to 2040 in the Mara and the wider Mau River Basin landscape. The study examines land use and land cover change trends, establishes factors driving the trends, and assesses the implications of these trends on biodiversity. Multi-temporal satellite images, together with physical and social economic data, were collated to generate future scenarios for transitions for forest, shrubland, grassland, cropland, wetlands and built-up areas between 1990 and 2040. Agricultural expansion is the chief driver of LULCC in the Mara and the wider Mau River Basin, particularly since 2015. There was insignificant change to the forest cover after 2015, which was in part due to government intervention on forest encroachment and boundaries. The anthropogenic choice of tilling the land in the basin caused a decline in grasslands, forests and expanded shrublands, particularly where there was clear tree cutting in the Mau forest. Land use and land cover trends have generated undesirable impacts on ecosystem services that support wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural expansion is one of the main causes of deforestation of tropical montane forests in the central Andes of Peru. The hydrological impacts of converting forests to cropland are well known; however, an issue that is not entirely clear is related to the hydrological effects that can result from the conversion of montane forests to agroforestry systems and the recovery of the hydrological functions of montane forests after a disturbance. In this study, we compare the hydrological processes of different land covers previously modified by agricultural expansion, in order to determine the impact of the conversion of tropical montane forest to agricultural land on the ecosystem service of water provision and regulation. To achieve this, we establish study plots in four land cover types located in the central Andes of Peru (mature montane forest (BMC), natural regenerating secondary forest (BMR), coffee agroforestry systems (AF), and cropland (C)), for the purpose of measuring the vegetation structure and soil properties in them, and subsequently carry out a soil water balance in each plot to calculate the actual evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and groundwater recharge. The results revealed the following percentages (based on precipitation) for the hydrological components in the four land cover types: annual actual evapotranspiration—BMR (41.2%), AF (40.4%), BMC (40.0%), and C (38.0%); annual surface runoff—C (16.1%), BMC (8.3%), BMR (5.2%), and AF (4.6%); and annual groundwater recharge—AF (43.0%), BMR (41.6%), C (34.0%), and BMC (31.7%). Furthermore, the study also examined the relationship between vegetation structure and the hydrological components across the four land cover types. The findings indicated that the reduction of thicker and taller trees could increase surface runoff generation, whereas the presence of thinner and shorter trees could facilitate groundwater recharge. These results shed light on the complex interactions between land cover types, vegetation structure, and hydrological processes, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors in water resource management and land use planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment connectivity indexes serve as a diagnostic tool for investigating the overall hydro-geomorphological functioning. The primary factors influencing sediment connectivity are rainfall and changes in land cover. For the period 1995–2016, we investigated changes in sediment connectivity in two ca.1000 km2 catchments located in the Ethiopian Highlands and evaluated the potential sediment sources of the catchment. These catchments are characterized by severe land degradation and high sediment yields. The sediment connectivity of the catchments was computed using SedIn-Connect, incorporating variables such as a digital elevation model, rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, surface roughness, cover management, and surface runoff to formulate the weight factor. Rainfall variability was calculated using TAMSAT data, and land cover maps were derived using Landsat data in Google Earth Engine. The findings show substantial spatial variability in sediment connectivity across the two catchments. The modified index of connectivity value has a positive correlation with sediment yield from two stations whereby the sediment connectivity is higher in the Gumara Catchment than in the Rib Catchment. In both catchments, bare land, cropland, shrubland, and grassland exhibited higher connectivity, whereas forest and rural settlements displayed lower connectivity. Croplands registered the most pronounced increase in connectivity, mirroring similar trends observed in shrublands and grasslands. Conversely, forested areas demonstrated relatively stable connectivity patterns. Notably, croplands nestled in steep slopes and proximate to rivers emerged as potential sediment sources capable of influencing sediment connectivity within the two catchments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armed conflicts can lead to environmental degradation, thereby threatening the basis of people's livelihoods and wellbeing. Identifying areas where conflicts drive environmental degradation is important for designing effective recovery strategies, but this is inherently challenging in insecure contexts. We use a case study in Tigray, Ethiopia to illustrate how open-source satellite data can be used to support the identification of woody vegetation loss during armed conflicts in situations where ground-based assessments are difficult or impossible. Areas of potential woody vegetation loss extend across 930 km2 (approximately 4% of the area occupied by forest and other woody vegetation in Tigray) and appear to be concentrated mostly along major roads; however, vegetation recovery has continued during the war across a significantly larger area (approximately 2600 km2). Spatial patterns of woody vegetation loss appear to be unrelated to drought conditions and large-scale wildfires. Based on these observations and anecdotal evidence of deforestation, we propose that it may be conflict-driven deforestation, caused by increases in fuel wood demands, that are driving the woody vegetation losses in some areas of Tigray. Eventual recovery efforts will have to consider the loss in landscape health during the war in areas where woody vegetation has declined, and include efforts to restore this vegetation to ensure both food security and livelihoods. Open access satellite data, together with ground-based data collection, could inform such post-war restoration efforts by helping identify degraded areas at a regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tonle Sap Lake (TSL) landscape is a region of vast natural resources and biological diversity in the heart of Southeast Asia. In addition to serving as the foundation for a highly productive fisheries system, this landscape is home to numerous globally threatened species. Despite decades of recognition by several government and international agencies and the fact that nine protected areas have been established within this region, natural land cover such as grasslands have experienced considerable decline since the turn of the century. This project used local expert knowledge to train and validate a random forest supervised classification of Landsat satellite imagery using Google Earth Engine. The time series of thematic maps were then used to quantify the conversion of grasslands to croplands between 2004 and 2023. The classification encompassed a 10 km buffer surrounding the landscape, an area of nearly 3 million hectares. The average overall accuracy for these thematic maps was 82.5% (78.5–87.9%), with grasslands averaging 76.1% user's accuracy. The change detection indicated that over 207,281 ha of grasslands were lost over this period (>59.5% of the 2004 area), with approx. 89.3% of this loss being attributed to cropland expansion. The results of this project will inform conservation efforts focused on local-scale planning and the management of commercial agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Land use history of urban forests impacts present-day soil structure, vegetation, and ecosystem function, yet is rarely documented in a way accessible to planners and land managers. Objectives: To (1) summarize historical land cover of present-day forest patches in Baltimore, MD, USA across land ownership categories and (2) determine whether social-ecological characteristics vary by historical land cover trajectory. Methods: Using land cover classification derived from 1927 and 1953 aerial imagery, we summarized present-day forest cover by three land cover sequence classes: (1) Persistent forest that has remained forested since 1927, (2) Successional forest previously cleared for non-forest vegetation (including agriculture) that has since reforested, or (3) Converted forest that has regrown on previously developed areas. We then assessed present-day ownership and average canopy height of forest patches by land cover sequence class. Results: More than half of Baltimore City’s forest has persisted since at least 1927, 72% since 1953. About 30% has succeeded from non-forest vegetation during the past century, while 15% has reverted from previous development. A large proportion of forest converted from previous development is currently privately owned, whereas persistent and successional forest are more likely municipally-owned. Successional forest occurred on larger average parcels with the fewest number of distinct property owners per patch. Average tree canopy height was significantly greater in patches of persistent forest (mean = 18.1 m) compared to canopy height in successional and converted forest patches (16.6 m and 16.9 m, respectively). Conclusions: Historical context is often absent from urban landscape ecology but provides information that can inform management approaches and conservation priorities with limited resources for sustaining urban natural resources. Using historical landscape analysis, urban forest patches could be further prioritized for protection by their age class and associated ecosystem characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic pressures such as over-urbanization, intensive agriculture/forestry practices, and the development of energy farms alter natural landscapes. Intensive urban development poses the greatest threat to natural ecosystems. Habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss are among the key factors behind the current rise of biodiversity loss. In this study, we hypothesized that urbanization advances the adaptation of forest bird populations to relatively new urban ecosystems. The study was conducted in Kaunas, Lithuania, located in Eastern Europe. Genetic samples were collected in the city, representing urban landscapes, and its surrounding forests. In total, 160 nest boxes were erected, of which 80 were placed in the urban areas and 80 in the forests. Using a set of microsatellite markers, we investigated the genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, gene flow, and population structure of two common forest bird species of the Paridae family, the great tit (Parus major) and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), in forests and urbanized areas. We observed low but significant differences between urban and forest great tit and blue tit populations, proving relatively high population genetic diversity. We determined that cities' spatial structure and fragmented natural habitats can influence the formation of small and isolated bird populations (subpopulations). Urban blue tits had higher genetic differentiation and a higher tendency to form subpopulations. In conclusion, forest birds can inhabit urbanized landscapes but both great tits and blue tits respond differently to urbanization-related changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the complex interplay between climate-related hazards and land cover changes in the Dibalo-Pingit-Zabali-Malayat (DPZM) River Watershed of Aurora province, Philippines. Historical typhoon data underscore the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events, emphasizing the critical need to enhance disaster preparedness and management. Land cover analysis from 1988 to 2020 reveals substantial transformations, driven largely by agricultural expansion at the expense of forest cover. Specifically, closed forest areas decreased by 11% annually from 2010 to 2015, while open forest areas decreased by 31% from 1988 to 2003. Conversely, built-up areas, annual crops, and perennial crops increased by 3%, 9%, and 30%, respectively, reflecting growing human pressures from 1988 to 2003. These land cover changes have intensified watershed degradation, as evidenced by increasing landscape fragmentation and declining mean patch size. Such alterations heighten the watershed susceptibility to natural hazards and hinders its capacity to provide essential ecosystem services. The study underscores the urgency for scienceinformed watershed management strategies to mitigate climate risks and protect the livelihoods of communities reliant on the DPZM River Watershed. Prioritizing sustainable land use practices, forest restoration, and disaster preparedness is crucial for safeguarding the watershed's ecological integrity and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, anthropogenic activities have led to the emergence of novel ecosystems. These are often dominated by non-native species, altering forest composition and functions. This study examines the impacts of land cover changes on runoff and erosion within a subtropical Andean watershed. It focuses on new forests dominated by different tree species (native and non-native trees). Employing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), the research integrates thirty years of meteorological, topographic, and edaphic data. It aims to model, quantify, and compare surface runoff and soil loss under two distinct land cover configurations observed in 1988 and 2017. The results indicate non-linear associations: a 10% increase in forest coverage led to a 3% decrease in monthly streamflow and an 11% reduction in soil erosion. Runoff varies significantly between forests dominated by native versus non-native species. Additionally, among non-native forests, those dominated by evergreen species have proven more effective in reducing runoff and soil loss than deciduous forests used for livestock grazing. Understanding the impact of land cover changes and novel ecosystems on water and soil regulation is crucial for informing management and conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring land cover change is very important for the sustainable development of regional land resources. However,there are few studies on land cover change in the construction of Xinjiang electricity transmission energy channel. In this paper,the temporal variation characteristics of land cover in a 10 km buffer zone along Jiquan Line in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture were analyzed by using multi-scale geographically weighted regression model (MGWR) to explore the spatio-temporal changes and driving factors of land cover in this region during 2010-2022. The results showed that: Grassland, bare land and cultivated land were the main areas in the study area,and the proportion of grassland and bare land was more than 90% . During the construction of Xinjiang electricity transmission channel,the land cover changes were more drastic and complicated; There are differences in the driving factors in terms of time. In the preparation and formal construction stages of the channel construction, the distance to the base station and the distance to the power grid rank first and second respectively in importance. However,during the operation period after the construction is completed,the distance to the water source and the minimum temperature rank first and second respectively. The spatial ranges of different factors are different. Annual minimum temperature and distance to water source mainly affect grassland,bare land and farmland. The research results can provide reference for the construction of similar projects in the future,and promote sustainable land use and ecological protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology (1008-0864) is the property of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Efforts to enhance carbon stocks and boost carbon absorption potential are essential for climate change mitigation. Peatland ecosystems, known for their high organic content, are particularly vulnerable to environmental management. The study aimed to examine the alterations in land use and land cover that occurred between 1998 and 2022, spanning a 24-year duration. Additionally, it sought to assess the associated variations in carbon stocks within the designated Kepau Jaya specific purpose forest area. The area under investigation encompasses a peatland ecosystem that has experienced substantial changes in land cover and land use. This study investigated the fluctuations in carbon stock caused by these alterations and provides valuable perspectives on the potential of agroforestry systems to promote a wider range of land uses. Additionally, it highlights their role in ecosystem restoration initiatives and the better management of forest peatland regions.METHODS: A spatial analysis was conducted on Landsat 5 and 8 satellite images by using shapefile data stored within the Google Earth Engine platform. Data analysis was carried out using Classification and Regression Tree, a decision tree algorithm used in machine learning for guided classification. Furthermore, purposive sampling was utilized to gather socioeconomic data, followed by the implementation of a benefit-cost analysis.FINDINGS: The results revealed significant changes in the land cover within the Kepau Jaya specific purpose forest area over a 24-year period, with forested areas and open areas decreasing by 23.15 hectares per year and 16.94 hectares per year respectively, and oil palm plantation areas expanding by 40.10 hectares per year. From 1998 to 2022, there has been a consistent annual decline in carbon stocks, resulting in a reduction of 1,933.11 tons of carbon per year. The changes in land use and cover are closely linked to this decline. In an effort to increase plant species diversity in the area and support the gradual transition away from monoculture, a participatory agroforestry scheme was implemented by intercropping Coffea liberica and Shorea balangeran between oil palm rows in a 2-hectare oil palm plantation block within the agroforestry demonstration plot. According to measurements taken at breast height, the aboveground biomass of these species was measured, leading to projected estimates of carbon stocks in Kepau Jaya specific purpose forest area reaching 19,455 tonnes of carbon by the year 2030, with Coffea liberica contributing 4,148 tonnes carbon and Shorea balangeran contributing 15,307 tonnes carbon. CONCLUSION: The study area experienced a substantial reduction in forest cover, whereas the extent of oil palm areas expanded significantly. The findings underscore the need for proactive measures to strengthen the governance of specific-purpose forest areas through community empowerment and the establishment of demonstration plots to promote agroforestry development. The results of this study provide insights for long-term forest rehabilitation strategies aimed at fostering sustainable forest management that yields environmental and socio-economic benefits in the long run.

The development of New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA) in Temon sub-district is aimed at improving the progress of the surrounding region, where the construction has an impact on the increase in built-up land of 572.38 hectare (2013-2017) and 268.67 hectare (2017-2023) which is potentially a decrease in the environmental quality index. The purpose of the research is to analyze changes in the environmental quality index (Risk Screening Environmental Indicators of) 2013, 2017 and 2024 around NYIA. The research designs use quantitative approaches with scoring approaches, while research methods use spectral transformation and Principal Component Analysis transformation. The research has limited the use of Landsat 8 image data used as a primary data source with a spatial resolution of 30 meters, where the image has not yet been able to deliver the results of the research with a high degree of exhaustion. The originality of the research is the identification of changes in the environmental quality index that are correlated with changes in built-up land and vegetation coverage. The results of the study showed a decrease in RSEI values, where high-level RSEIs decreased by about 295.17 hectare (2013-2017) and 1720.91 hectare (2017-2024), in addition there was an increase in the area of low-levelRSEI by about 122.33 hectare (2013- 2017) and 1898.79 hectare (2017-2024). The decline in RSEI in the area study has been correlated with increased built-up land and decreased vegetation area, with built-up land increasing by 572.38 hectare (2013-2017) and 269.97 hectare (2017-2024), besides decreasing vegetation areas by 137.82 hectare (2013-2017), and 97.34 hectare (2017-2024). The study concluded that there was a decrease in the environmental quality index, where increased built-up land and decreased vegetation area were influential factors. This research opens up further research opportunities to predict the environmental quality index with the cellular automata model.

There is 78 % permafrost and seasonal frozen soil in the Yangtze River’s Source Region (SRYR), which is situated in the middle of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Three distinct scenarios were developed in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model the effects of land cover change (LCC) on various water balance components. Discharge and percolation of groundwater have decreased by mid-December. This demonstrates the seasonal contributions of subsurface water, which diminish when soil freezes. During winter, when surface water inputs are low, groundwater storage becomes even more critical to ensure water supply due to this periodic trend. An impermeable layer underneath the active layer thickness decreases GWQ and PERC in LCC + permafrost scenario. The water transport and storage phase reached a critical point in August when precipitation, permafrost thawing, and snowmelt caused LATQ to surge. To prevent waterlogging and save water for dry periods, it is necessary to control this peak flow phase. Hydrological processes, permafrost dynamics, and land cover changes in the SRYR are difficult, according to the data. These interactions enhance water circulation throughout the year, recharge of groundwater supplies, surface runoff, and lateral flow. For the region’s water resource management to be effective in sustaining ecohydrology, ensuring appropriate water storage, and alleviating freshwater scarcity, these dynamics must be considered.

Abstract Paramos, unique and biodiverse ecosystems found solely in the high mountain regions of the tropics, are under threat. Despite their crucial role as primary water sources and significant carbon repositories in Colombia, they are deteriorating rapidly and garner less attention than other vulnerable ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest. Their fertile soil and unique climate make them prime locations for agriculture and cattle grazing, often coinciding with economically critical deposits such as coal which has led to a steady decline in paramo area. Anthropic impact was evaluated using multispectral images from Landsat and Sentinel over 37 years, on the Guerrero and Rabanal paramos in central Colombia which have experienced rapid expansion of mining and agriculture. Our analysis revealed that since 1984, the Rabanal and Guerrero paramos have lost 47.96% and 59.96% of their native vegetation respectively, replaced primarily by crops, pastures, and planted forests. We detected alterations in the spectral signatures of native vegetation near coal coking ovens, indicating a deterioration of paramo health and potential impact on ecosystem services. Consequently, human activity is reducing the extent of paramos and their efficiency as water sources and carbon sinks, potentially leading to severe regional and even global consequences.

This study observes and records land cover changes in Al-Baha to track urban growth. The study develops a schematic vision of urban mass's current and future shape and distribution and its growth to achieve sustainable urban development, reduce service and social differences between city areas, and integrate urban and rural areas. The study uses inductive methods to monitor urban developments, population growth, and land use through Al-Baha's structural schemes by extracting digital data from satellite imagery to survey historical land cover changes. The mapping software ArcGIS v10.8 processed these digital data and the final map compositions. Through this urban mass study, the research predicted city growth and development. Capabilities and functions must shape urban and rural-urban communities. The development must also consider the National Urban Development Strategy, the relative importance of rural-urban communities, and their expected functional role in influencing the development of small rural communities adjacent to them to reduce migration from rural areas near the city. The study highlighted changes in city land coverage. Al-Baha expanded from 1982 to 1995. Al-Baha's transformation from village to city accelerated, increasing its area from 31 km2 to 44 km2. Many villages beyond 40 were included in the decisions. From 2006–2021, the city's area grew 221%. It increased from 60 km2 to 133 km2 in an urban area, indicating false urban growth. The study stressed the importance of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS). The study recommends urban development in suitable areas because agricultural development is not feasible, especially in the northeast. Land use changes should be prevented by planning regulations because these agricultural areas are essential. Helping urban development move away from agricultural areas, especially on the eastern axis, is crucial. Create new urban centers along Al-Baha's western cliff to attract residents and relieve pressure. Limited linear expansion, especially in the northeast, and more expansive urbanization are also significant. Maps should also show when the Al-Baha region's expansionary scope changed and the urban boundaries that had to be reached by a specific time while development plans were efficiently monitored.

Paramos, unique and biodiverse ecosystems found solely in the high mountain regions of the tropics, are under threat. Despite their crucial role as primary water sources and significant carbon repositories in Colombia, they are deteriorating rapidly and garner less attention than other vulnerable ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest. Their fertile soil and unique climate make them prime locations for agriculture and cattle grazing, often coinciding with economically critical deposits such as coal which has led to a steady decline in paramo area. Anthropic impact was evaluated using multispectral images from Landsat and Sentinel over 37 years, on the Guerrero and Rabanal paramos in central Colombia which have experienced rapid expansion of mining and agriculture. Our analysis revealed that since 1984, the Rabanal and Guerrero paramos have lost 47.96% and 59.96% of their native vegetation respectively, replaced primarily by crops, pastures, and planted forests. We detected alterations in the spectral signatures of native vegetation near coal coking ovens, indicating a deterioration of paramo health and potential impact on ecosystem services. Consequently, human activity is reducing the extent of paramos and their efficiency as water sources and carbon sinks, potentially leading to severe regional and even global consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization is a complex phenomenon that has a profound impact on natural resources, economies, climate dynamics, and community structures. This study sets out to analyze the effects of urban sprawl on key urban regions in Bangladesh, covering urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. We used Landsat images from 1992 to 2022, processed and classified using the Google Earth Engine and Random Forest algorithm. Spatial metrics, Tupu method, ANOVA, and spatial regression models helped us quantify and explain land cover changes, their drivers, and consequences. Our findings show that the total built-up area in the five districts expanded from 1,200 km2 in 1992 to 2,800 km2 in 2022, with an overall yearly expansion rate of 3.5%. Meanwhile, vegetation cover declined from 2,500 km2 in 1992 to 1,500 km2 in 2022, with an average yearly loss rate of 2.5%. We identified population growth, economic development, and infrastructure expansion as the main drivers of urbanization, while land degradation, air and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity were the main consequences. Urbanization also had a significant impact on environmental functions, including carbon sequestration, water flow control, and urban heat mitigation, with varying effects across different urban areas and land use types. For instance, we found that carbon storage capacity decreased by 20% in urban areas, while it increased by 10% in rural areas. Our research highlights the crucial role of preserving and enhancing green spaces, including vegetation cover and water bodies, to mitigate urban heat and promote urban resilience. The findings underscore the need for sustainable urbanization, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and climate resilience, using geospatial and remote sensing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional connectivity of nature reserve networks affects species dispersal, conservation effectiveness and even the integrity of local ecosystems. Drastic land transformation might bring about challenges in the formation of nature reserve networks. In this study, we combined land cover data from 1992 to 2020 and terrestrial nature reserves to model potential ecological corridors with the least cost-weighted distance method in Guangdong Province, China. We analyzed the changes in potential ecological corridors and defined the variations in the cumulative cost-weighted distance with long-term land transformation. Inefficient corridors and conservation priorities were also identified. Our results indicate that the number, spatial distribution and patch pairing pattern of potential ecological corridors are affected by the increasing cost-weighted distance. Before 2015, the cost and total length of the potential ecological corridors increased and then decreased until 2020. The variations in potential ecological corridors are induced by the transformation of multiple land covers, with the expansion of croplands and urban areas, and the degradation of shrublands and grasslands. The grids with higher resistance values, namely, urban areas and croplands, in the potential ecological corridors increase, resulting in the increase of the functional connectivity cost. In terms of the composition of potential ecological corridors, compared with urban expansions, the proportion of cropland grids increased slightly but with a larger base and contributed more to the cost increase. Therefore, it is recommended that key ecological corridors and nodes are not to be utilized, which would increase dispersal cost of wild species, and we suggest a more dynamic and integral perspective for effectively managing land resources and designing regional ecological corridors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the fall of the USSR, Cuba was plunged into an economic crisis with devastating effects on the agricultural system. With few options, the government restructured its agricultural system from an industrial model to a model based on smallholders and agroecology. After several decades, the results of this transition have been far reaching for both landscapes and livelihoods. This research uses mixed-methods, including remote sensing, interviews, and economic and agricultural statistics to present the case study of a smallholder community that has undergone a shift from industrial sugarcane to small-scale agroecology. This work reveals that while agricultural extent has plummeted, production of staple crops has increased dramatically. At the same time, on-farm incomes and food market availability have risen steadily. In the context of strong social, economic, and environmental protections, this represents a process of a sustainable rural transition with several concurrent benefits to people and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Late Holocene, the majority of lowland river systems in temperate Europe transformed from low‐energy multi‐channel rivers in strongly vegetated marshy floodplains to more open floodplains characterised by single‐channel meandering rivers with overbank deposits. While the general framework of this transformation in floodplain geomorphology, ecology and hydrology (i.e. geoecohydrology) is widely recognised many uncertainties remain as its timing varies significantly, both among different river catchments and within them. To unravel whether the observed differences in floodplain response can be attributed to differences in the timing and nature of the driving forces or to a difference in sensitivity towards them, we compare long‐term and large‐scale reconstructions of the geoecohydrological floodplain dynamics and of the (climatically and anthropogenically driven) land cover change for two contrasting regions: the central Belgian loess belt and the sandy Campine region. By using a combination of cluster analysis, ordination and Ellenberg indicator scores on a large multi‐proxy and multi‐site dataset, we revealed the major trends in the past geoecohydrological evolution of northeastern Belgian floodplains. These trends are probably determined by changes in floodplain wetness, which can in turn be linked to variations in upland forest cover. The Early and Late Holocene floodplain transformations appear synchronous with the respective increases and decreases in upland forest cover in the vicinity of the sites, largely determining the water availability in the river catchments and thereby their local geoecohydrological conditions. Initially, these evolutions were determined by climate, but during the Middle and especially Late Holocene anthropogenic influence became a far more important factor, causing the evolutions in the two studied regions to increasingly diverge. While marshy floodplains with forested margins can still be found in the sandy Campine region today, these have become rare in the central Belgian loess belt due to the combination of a higher level of human impact and greater erodibility of the soils in this area. Despite the strong spatiotemporal variability of the floodplain transformations, we observe a trend towards increasingly rapid floodplain responses to upland land cover changes over the course of the Holocene, probably related to the growing hillslope–floodplain connectivity. We conclude that the (dis)similarities in Holocene geoecohydrological floodplain change can be largely attributed to the (dis)similarities in (climatically or anthropogenically driven) land cover change in the uplands, although the differences in inherent sensitivity of the locations – linked to factors such as soil type and topography – further complicate the already non‐linear impact–response relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desertification, a formidable environmental challenge with broad implications for ecosystems and communities, is examined within Jahun Local Government Area in Jigawa State, Nigeria. This study uses a Cellular Automata Markov Chain Analysis model to visualize and predict the associated environmental risks. Objectives include assessing the extent and rate of desertification in the region and forecasting the process until 2080. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the research integrates unsupervised classification of Landsat images, Land Use Land Cover (LUCC) analysis using MODIS data, Maximum Likelihood classification, and cubic trend analysis. The outcomes yield a comprehensive understanding of desertification dynamics in Jahun Local Government Area, identifying susceptible areas for environmental degradation. The study revealed significant changes in various land cover types within the research area. Urban areas experienced a substantial annual increase of 6.3030 km2, suggesting dynamic transformations within urban landscapes, possibly driven by shifts in population density, infrastructure development, or land use patterns. Conversely, vegetation exhibited a higher rate of change, with an annual decrease of 9.3787 km2, indicating variations in vegetative cover. Waterbodies displayed minimal changes, with a slight reduction rate of 0.2723 km²/year. In contrast, bare lands demonstrated a notable increase, expanding at a rate of 15.9541 km²/year, underscoring significant alterations in these regions. The observed variations in rates of change emphasize the dynamic nature of land cover in the study region and underscore the importance of understanding these changes for effective environmental management and policymaking. The study's predictions up to 2080 offers crucial insights for stakeholders and policymakers, facilitating the formulation of proactive monitoring and management strategies to effectively combat desertification and mitigate its adverse effects on ecosystems and livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical peatlands in Southeast Asia have experienced widespread subsidence due to forest clearance and drainage for agriculture, oil palm and pulp wood production, causing concerns about their function as a long-term carbon store. Peatland drainage leads to subsidence (lowering of peatland surface), an indicator of degraded peatlands, while stability/uplift indicates peatland accumulation and ecosystem health. We used the Advanced Pixel System using the Intermittent SBAS (ASPIS-DInSAR) technique with biophysical and geographical data to investigate the impact of peatland drainage and agriculture on spatial patterns of subsidence in Selangor, Malaysia. Results showed pronounced subsidence in areas subjected to drainage for agricultural and oil palm plantations, while stable areas were associated with intact forests. The most powerful predictors of subsidence rates were the distance from the drainage canal or peat boundary; however, other drivers such as soil properties and water table levels were also important. The maximum subsidence rate detected was lower than that documented by ground-based methods. Therefore, whilst the APSIS-DInSAR technique may underestimate absolute subsidence rates, it gives valuable information on the direction of motion and spatial variability of subsidence. The study confirms widespread and severe peatland degradation in Selangor, highlighting the value of DInSAR for identifying priority zones for restoration and emphasising the need for conservation and restoration efforts to preserve Selangor peatlands and prevent further environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the relationship between vegetation photosynthesis levels and land use changes is crucial for assessing ecosystem health and plant growth status. Existing studies have not fully considered temporal and spatial dimensions, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the relationship between vegetation photosynthesis levels and land use. Based on solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) data from 2001 to 2022, this study used the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and spatial association analysis to explore the associations between temporal and spatial changes in vegetation photosynthesis levels and land cover change (LCC) in China. The contributions and findings are as follows: (1) A computational framework was utilized to comprehensively measure the spatial correlation between LCCs and chlorophyll levels based on their spatial co-occurrence. (2) The MK test results of the annual and monthly average vegetation photosynthesis levels revealed that most regions in China exhibited increasing trends, accounting for 90.01% and 91.78%, respectively. Moreover, the vegetation photosynthesis levels in western China had a downward trend, indicating that the vegetation ecosystem in this region may be under a certain degree of pressure or may face the risk of degradation. (3) Some economically developed provinces are facing ecological pressures caused by urbanization and industrialization, which have led to the degradation of vegetation ecosystems and a decrease in vegetation photosynthesis levels. (4) Highly supportive areas of the land use–vegetation photosynthesis level association analysis were mainly distributed in grassland and forest areas, indicating the effectiveness of forest protection and grassland management policies. Moreover, the decrease in vegetation photosynthesis mainly occurred in barren areas, illustrating that the management and protection of this type of land still need to be strengthened. These findings underscore the complex interplay between land use and vegetation health, providing insights for sustainable land management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, as global climate change and local disturbances such as wildfires continue, long- and short-term changes in the high-latitude vegetation systems have been observed in various studies. Although remote sensing technology using optical satellites has been widely used in understanding vegetation dynamics in high-latitude areas, there has been limited understanding of various landscape changes at different spatiotemporal scales, their mutual relationships, and overall long-term landscape changes. The objective of this study is to devise a change monitoring strategy that can effectively observe landscape changes at different spatiotemporal scales in the boreal ecosystems from temporally sparse time series remote sensing data. We presented a new post-classification-based change analysis scheme and applied it to time series Landsat data for the central Yakutian study area. Spectral variability between time series data has been a major problem in the analysis of changes that make it difficult to distinguish long- and short-term land cover changes from seasonal growth activities. To address this issue effectively, two ideas in the time series classification, such as the stepwise classification and the lateral stacking strategies were implemented in the classification process. The proposed classification results showed consistently higher overall accuracies of more than 90% obtained in all classes throughout the study period. The temporal classification results revealed the distinct spatial and temporal patterns of the land cover changes in central Yakutia. The spatiotemporal distribution of the short-term class illustrated that the ecosystem disturbance caused by fire could be affected by local thermal and hydrological conditions of the active layer as well as climatic conditions. On the other hand, the long-term class changes revealed land cover trajectories that could not be explained by monotonic increase or decrease. To characterize the long-term land cover change patterns, we applied a piecewise linear model with two line segments to areal class changes. During the former half of the study period, which corresponds to the 2000s, the areal expansion of lakes on the eastern Lena River terrace was the dominant feature of the land cover change. On the other hand, the land cover changes in the latter half of the study period, which corresponds to the 2010s, exhibited that lake area decreased, particularly in the thermokarst lowlands close to the Lena and Aldan rivers. In this area, significant forest decline can also be identified during the 2010s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gross primary productivity (GPP), representing organic carbon fixation through photosynthesis, is crucial for developing science-based strategies for sustainable development. Given that the tropical region harbors nearly half of all species, it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the global environment against climate change and preserving global biodiversity. Thus, investigating changes in vegetation productivity within this region holds substantial practical importance for estimating global vegetation productivity. In this study, we employed an enhanced P model to estimate vegetation GPP in the tropical region from 2001 to 2020, based on which we quantified the spatiotemporal changes and associated mechanisms. The results reveal that the annual mean GPP in the tropical region ranged from 2603.9 to 2757.1 g·cm−2 a−1, demonstrating an overall apparent increasing trend. Inland areas were mainly influenced by precipitation, while coastal areas were primarily influenced by temperature. Land cover changes, especially conversion to cropland, significantly influence GPP, with deciduous—evergreen forest transitions causing notable decreases. Climate change emerges as the dominant factor affecting GPP, as indicated by the contribution rate analysis. This research interprets the spatiotemporal pattern and mechanisms of GPP in the tropics, offering valuable insights for sustainable ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural protected areas (NPAs) in the Yucatan Peninsula favour the conservation of mangrove forests, which are valuable ecosystems for their provision of ecosystem services. However, mangroves are vulnerable to destruction due to natural and anthropogenic pressures. Therefore, it is important to assess their spatial and temporal dynamics and the potential for deforestation and recovery of cover. In this study, we analyse and model mangrove forest cover change in six NPAs of the Yucatan Peninsula by 2025. Predictions were made using the cellular automata method (CA-Markov) based on attributes that drive rates of change (obtained Kappa coefficients between 0.78 and 0.91). Anthropogenic development was the most dominant potential driver of land use and land cover change in all NPAs except the Flora and Fauna Protection Area-Yum Balam. During the period 2005–2015, the Biosphere Reserves-Petenes and Celestún showed the greatest mangrove loss, followed by the Flora and Fauna Protection Area-Nichupté. These processes changed for the simulated period (2015–2025), where an increase in mangrove cover is projected in these protected areas. Flora and Fauna Protection Area-Términos is the only protected area where a projected transition of mangroves to anthropogenic development has been identified. Therefore, it should be considered an area vulnerable to mangrove transformation and loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both urban land cover (ULC) change and anthropogenic heat (AH) emission are important causes of urban heat island, but their relative contributions to the changes in urban precipitation and the related mechanism remain unclear. Based on numerical simulations utilizing the latest realistic urban fraction and AH data over the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, we found that ULC and AH resulted in nearly opposite effects on precipitation. Various dynamical and thermodynamic processes were involved according to the atmospheric moisture budget analyses. AH increased precipitation particularly during afternoon, and the increases were stronger during heavy precipitation events because of the enhanced moisture convergence effect together with the release of moisture storage previously accumulated in the atmosphere. Differently, ULC reduced mean precipitation mainly due to suppressed evaporation. During weak precipitation events, the suppressed evaporation was largely balanced by the intensified moisture convergence, but during heavy events, ULC caused more pronounced precipitation reduction because the moisture convergence response disappeared and failed to offset the evaporation effect. The relative contributions of different dynamical and thermodynamic processes such as those related to circulation, moisture gradient, and background moisture availability to the temporal variation in the total moisture convergence were further quantified. Overall, our results help better understand the relative roles of different aspects of urbanization on precipitation, and suggest that compared to ULC, reduction in AH emission that is tightly related to the energy consumption structure could be more efficient for mitigating the risk of extreme precipitation. Plain Language Summary: Urban land cover (ULC) change and anthropogenic heat (AH) emission are two main causes of urban heat island, but how they would modify urban precipitation are still unclear. Here, based on numerical simulations utilizing the latest urban fraction and AH data over the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, we found that ULC and AH can result in nearly opposite effects on precipitation. AH increased precipitation via intensifying moisture convergence, which was more pronounced during heavy precipitation events. Differently, ULC caused reduction in the mean precipitation due to the limitation in surface evaporation, but the disappeared moisture convergence response that failed to offset the suppressed evaporation was the main reason for the stronger ULC effect on precipitation during heavy precipitation events. Our findings help better understand the relative roles of different aspects of urbanization on precipitation and provide useful information to support the mitigation of the risk associated with extreme precipitation. Key Points: Urban land cover (ULC) and anthropogenic heat (AH), respectively, decreased and increased precipitation in the Yangtze River DeltaBoth the ULC and AH effects on precipitation were more pronounced during afternoon and during heavy precipitation eventsRelative contributions of various dynamical and thermodynamic processes to the temporal variation of precipitation responses were quantified [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study observes and records land cover changes in Al-Baha to track urban growth. The study develops a schematic vision of urban mass's current and future shape and distribution and its growth to achieve sustainable urban development, reduce service and social differences between city areas, and integrate urban and rural areas. The study uses inductive methods to monitor urban developments, population growth, and land use through Al-Baha's structural schemes by extracting digital data from satellite imagery to survey historical land cover changes. The mapping software ArcGIS v10.8 processed these digital data and the final map compositions. Through this urban mass study, the research predicted city growth and development. Capabilities and functions must shape urban and rural-urban communities. The development must also consider the National Urban Development Strategy, the relative importance of rural-urban communities, and their expected functional role in influencing the development of small rural communities adjacent to them to reduce migration from rural areas near the city. The study highlighted changes in city land coverage. Al-Baha expanded from 1982 to 1995. Al-Baha's transformation from village to city accelerated, increasing its area from 31 km2 to 44 km2. Many villages beyond 40 were included in the decisions. From 2006–2021, the city's area grew 221%. It increased from 60 km2 to 133 km2 in an urban area, indicating false urban growth. The study stressed the importance of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS). The study recommends urban development in suitable areas because agricultural development is not feasible, especially in the northeast. Land use changes should be prevented by planning regulations because these agricultural areas are essential. Helping urban development move away from agricultural areas, especially on the eastern axis, is crucial. Create new urban centers along Al-Baha's western cliff to attract residents and relieve pressure. Limited linear expansion, especially in the northeast, and more expansive urbanization are also significant. Maps should also show when the Al-Baha region's expansionary scope changed and the urban boundaries that had to be reached by a specific time while development plans were efficiently monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quarrying generates significant changes in the grasslands, by reducing ecological functions, reducing connectivity, impairing biodiversity, and degrading soil. Unlike other forms of destruction such as agriculture or urbanization, mining is characterized by eliminating soil and exposing the bedrock, facilitating groundwater contamination processes. Quarrying in Pampean grassland has been expanding for a century and little is known about the extent and distribution of quarries over the native environment. In this work, we analyze the spatiotemporal variation of quarrying activity on the Highland grassland in the Tandilia mountains of Argentina. Based on Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite imagery, from 1996 to 2022, and using QGIS software, we identified the location and extension of quarries, and we analyzed their change through time. Quarries covered 6428 ha, which was originally part of the Pampean grassland. The number of open quarries increased by 129%, from 69 in 1996 to 158 in 2022, and the area used for this activity increased by 172%, with a greater expansion being detected in the last ten years. At least 87 quarries were abandoned in 2022. Quarries are often abandoned without any kind of remediation, leading to further ecosystem deterioration. The current extension of quarrying activity (active and abandoned quarries) reduced the connectivity and a significant area (5.2%) of the Highland grassland of the Tandilia Mountains. Grassland conservation planning should include quarrying as a significant threat, and management actions must be considered to reduce its impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Selenge River Basin is one of the major tributaries of Lake Baikal, one of the world's freshwater resources, and is a sensitive region to climate change, and is also an important China–Mongolia–Russia economic corridor basin. Therefore, studying the relationship between the eco-hydrological processes of this basin and its land cover changes is important for sustainability and environmental protection. In this research, trend analysis was used to determine water and climate changes, and satellite data and statistical analysis were used to calculate spatial and temporal changes in land cover. Based on the research findings, the flow of the Selenge River has exhibited fluctuations ranging from 125.2 to 576.3 m3/s over the past three decades, with a discernible downward trend observed in the basin area or at the Zuunburen hydrological station. This decline can be attributed to the combined effects of climate change and human activity. During the last 30 years of climate change in the Selenge River basin, the average annual air temperature has increased by 2.4 °C. The average total annual precipitation of the basin ranges from 200 to 400 mm, and the precipitation fluctuation is relatively small, and in recent years, less than average precipitation has fallen. In the basin, the air temperature has experienced an annual increase of 0.09 °C, attributable to natural climatic factors. Additionally, there has been a reduction in both precipitation levels and river flow within the basin, while significant alterations have occurred in the extent of water bodies and wetlands within the land cover. In this region, studies show that changes in eco-hydrological processes significantly impact changes in land cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined dam-induced land use and land cover change (LULCC) detection in the Amerti-Nashe hydroelectric power reservoirs. These dams were constructed for a variety of purposes, primarily for irrigation in the lower reaches and hydropower generation in the upper reaches. The main objective of the study was to investigate dam-induced LULCC in the study area over the last 41 years. Satellite images were downloaded from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The data from remote sensing satellite images were used to reflect the spatial variation in LULCC, and land surface temperature (LST) in the study areas near hydropower plants in the years 1985, 2003, and 2021. The supervised classification method is adopted, and the maximum likelihood rule is used as the parameter rule for image classification. The land use classification results show that grazing land, woody grassland, and cultivated land gradually decreased, which could be associated with the establishment of dams. But commercial farming, waterbodies, and built-up areas increased during these study periods. LST variations based on its relationship with Land Use Land Cover (LULC) in the area decreased after the dam was constructed, particularly in the irrigated lowland and places inundated by water from the reservoir in the upper stream. Generally, the construction of the Amerti-Nashe hydroelectric dam projects in the study area has changed land use type and LST both at a lower and upper stream. Therefore, hydropower development in the area needs strategic planning on how to minimize land use land cover change impacts on the environment and the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on national park conservation has predominantly concentrated on their internal regions, with scant attention given to the parks and their adjacent areas as integrated entities. Therefore, the investigation of land cover and landscape ecological risks in national parks and surrounding areas is essential for overall ecosystem protection and regional sustainable development. This study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of land cover and its landscape ecological risk in Wuyishan National Park, China, and its surrounding areas (WNPSA) from 1990 to 2020. The results show that (1) the land cover of WNPSA from 1990 to 2020 predominantly exhibited a consistent decline in forested areas, paralleled by an augmentation in farmland and impervious surface areas. The center of standard deviation ellipse of impervious surfaces has been progressively moving further south in tandem with the expansion of these surfaces, primarily located within the county town of Fujian Province. (2) The Wuyishan National Park (WNP) areas were dominated by low values of landscape index, and the high value areas in the park were mainly located at the provincial boundary area, with a gradual narrowing during 1990–2020, suggesting a decrease in landscape heterogeneity within the park. High value areas in the surrounding areas mainly occurred in areas with clustered impervious surfaces (e.g., the county town), where part of them located in Wuyishan City have spread to the edge area southeast of WNP. (3) From 1990 to 2020, the lowest-risk areas continue to expand. However, as the medium-risk zone of the adjacent region extends into the edge of the national park, the low risk zone within the national park exhibits a trend from continuous to separate with the neighboring low risk zone. This led to an escalating stress effect on the ecological security of both the adjacent regions and the national park's boundary areas due to land cover changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use change is an important factor affecting terrestrial carbon balance, and it is crucial to explore the response of terrestrial carbon stocks to land-use change, especially in the Songnen Plain, which faces a fierce conflict between the rapid growth of production activities and ecosystem degradation. In this study, we measured soil organic carbon and vegetation biocarbon stocks in the Songnen Plain based on IPCC-recommended methodologies, and explored the characteristics of carbon stock changes in land-use trajectories, land-use drivers, and specific land-use change scenarios (cropland cultivation, returning cropland to forests, the expansion of land for construction, deforestation, greening, and land degradation). The results showed that soil organic carbon stock in the Songnen Plain decreased by 1.63 × 105 t, and vegetation biocarbon stock increased by 2.10 × 107 t from 2005 to 2020. Human factors and natural factors jointly contributed to the land-use change, but the extent of the role of human factors was greater than that of natural factors. The increase in land-use trajectory led to the decrease in soil organic carbon stock and the increase in vegetation biocarbon stock. There was no difference in the effects of human-induced and natural-induced land-use changes on vegetation biocarbon stocks, but the effects on soil organic carbon stocks were diametrically opposite, increasing by 43.27 t/km2 and decreasing by 182.02 t/km2, respectively. The reclamation of arable land, returning cropland to forests, and greening led to a net increase in terrestrial carbon stocks (+813,291.84 t), whereas land degradation, deforestation, and land-use expansion led to a decrease in terrestrial carbon stocks (−460,710.2 t). The results of this study can provide a reference for the adjustment of land-use structure and the increase in terrestrial carbon stock in the Songnen Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use and land cover (LULC) classification is becoming faster and more accurate thanks to new deep learning algorithms. Moreover, new high spectral- and spatial-resolution datasets offer opportunities to classify land cover with greater accuracy and class specificity. However, deploying deep learning algorithms to characterize present-day, modern land cover based on state-of-the-art data is insufficient for understanding trends in land cover change and identifying changes in and drivers of ecological and social variables of interest. These identifications require characterizing past land cover, for which imagery is often lower-quality. We applied a deep learning pipeline to classify land cover from historical, low-quality RGB aerial imagery, using a case study of Vancouver, Canada. We deployed an atrous convolutional neural network from DeepLabv3+ (which has previously shown to outperform other networks) and trained it on modern Maxar satellite imagery using a modern land cover classification. We fine-tuned the resultant model using a small dataset of manually annotated and augmented historical imagery. This final model accurately predicted historical land cover classification at rates similar to other studies that used high-quality imagery. These predictions indicate that Vancouver has lost vegetative cover from 1995–2021, including a decrease in conifer cover, an increase in pavement cover, and an overall decrease in tree and grass cover. Our workflow may be harnessed to understand historical land cover and identify land cover change in other regions and at other times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is vital to Sumbawa Regency's economy, with key activities such as rice cultivation, corn production, onion farming, and cattle rearing. This study applies artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict land cover changes, focusing on agricultural land expansion. Using land cover datasets from ESRI, digital elevation model, and topographical maps, we analyzed land cover changes from 2017 to 2023 and generated future projections for 2050 with the MOLUSCE plugin in qGIS. The predictive model achieved an 85% accuracy rate when comparing 2023 actual data with predictions. Results indicate a significant increase in agricultural land cover by 2050. The key finding is that over a long-term period, the simulation of land use and land cover (LULC) change in Sumbawa reveals an increase of crop areas in the Lunyuk and Labangka Districts. This study highlights the effectiveness of ANN in land cover prediction and emphasizes the need for sustainable practices to balance agricultural expansion. AI-driven insights can aid policymakers in opti-mizing resource allocation and ensuring long-term environmental and economic stability in Sumbawa Regency. Future research should refine models and incorporate additional factors for improved accuracy.

The increase in flood events observed in West African countries, and often in specific river basins, can be influenced by several factors, including anthropogenic land use and land-cover changes. However, the potential contribution of land cover changes to flood events still needs to be explored, especially in West Africa. Here, the fully coupled atmosphere-hydrology WRF-Hydro system, which comprises an atmospheric model and additionally incorporates the surface, subsurface, overland flow, and channel routing, is used to investigate the potential impact of a land cover change scenario on flood events in the Senegal River basin. The simulation was performed from 2010 to 2020, with a calibration period spanning from 2011 to 2012 and a validation period from 2013 to 2020. Several skill scores, including Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), BIAS, and Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE), were utilized to assess the calibration and validation performances. Additionally, two planetary boundary layer schemes (PBL5 and PBL7) were used to determine their associated uncertainty. Our results show that the best calibration results (NSE = 0.70; KGE = 0.83; PBIAS = −7% and BE = 0.67) in the Senegal River basin are obtained with PBL5 when the calibration is performed with a SLOPE parameter 0.03. A similar good performance was also obtained for the validation with NSE = 0.74, KGE = 0.84, and PBIAS = −8%. Likewise, our findings indicate that converting savanna to woody savannas can elevate water resources, with a 2% rise in precipitation and a 4% increase in runoff. This transition also correlates with an increase in moderate flood events (3500–4000 m3/s), a decrease in severe floods (4000–5000 m3/s), and their associated occurrence of extreme floods (>5000 m3/s) in the Senegal River basin.

Deforestation in the form of forest land use change (FLUC) increases the emission of greenhouse gases, disrupts the water cycle, dries the soil, and reduces the growth of plant products. This has a direct effect on the well-being of local communities whose livelihoods depend on the forest and threatens biodiversity. The systematic review aimed to analyze the studies conducted on the effects of FLUC on biodiversity ecosystem services (BECS) and human well-being (HWB) of local communities. The study utilized a qualitative content analysis (QCA) based on a deductive approach, which reviewed 114 scientific documents, particularly research articles, selected by searching keywords through a purposeful sampling method. The FLUC indicators in the two groups of dominant morphology (intensity, scale, pattern, and usage) and recessive morphology (function, property rights, and management mode) had 172 repetitions in the articles. Moreover, the BECS criteria (regulating, provisioning, supportive, and cultural services) and HWB (items related to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, subjective well-being, objective well-being, and preferences) had 125 and 148 repetitions, respectively. Results confirm the relationship and effects of FLUC on BECS and HWB, which emphasizes the mutual role of these variables in social, economic, and environmental studies in future research programs. An increase in FLUC can decline the performance and structure of BECS and have a negative impact on the HWB of those communities who depend on forest. Findings are presented in the form of a model that provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between FLUC, BECS, and HWB for relevant decision makers.

Abstract Rapid urbanization is restructuring landscapes across sub-Saharan Africa. This study employed post-classification comparison of multi-temporal Landsat imagery to characterize land cover changes in Abakaliki Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria between 2000 and 2022, addressing the need for empirical baselines to guide sustainable planning. Four classes were considered and images classified with overall accuracy of 95% for the year 2000 and 97% for the year 2022. Notably, 21,000 hectares of vegetation were lost, while built-up and bare land increased by 7500 and 13,700 hectares respectively. Spatial patterns revealed built-up encroachment from vegetation and bare land; this establishes the first standardized quantification of Abakaliki LGA’s shifting landscape, with results supporting compact development models while conserving ecological services under ongoing transformations. The study makes a significant contribution by establishing an empirical baseline characterizing Nigeria's urbanization trajectory essential for evidence-based stewardship of regional resources and livelihoods in a period of accelerating change.