Optimization of future land use changes using CLUE-s model in the Ramian Township

land use changes and conversion of natural resources to agricultural and residential area is an important problem in many countries. Land use change is an essential determinant factor in hydrological processes and is known as an affecting factor on hydrological parameters such as runoff volume, flood frequency, base flow, subsurface and surface flow. Regard to importance of land use many models was presented to simulate land use changes. The main objective of this research was to simulate the land use changes of Ramian Township for future as a case study site.  

The main objective of this research was to simulate the land use changes of Ramian Township as a case study site. At first, land use maps related to years of 2000 and 2012 were prepared using remote sensing techniques and Landsat images, and then CLUE-s model was applied to simulate land use map of 2030 and create scenarios. Four scenarios were designed using CLUE-s model and define some limitation of land use change.

 the results showed that the main land use change in Ramian Township was the conversion of forest and rangeland areas to agriculture and residential land. 18.07 km2 of forest and range were converted to agriculture and residential area. Of course in the designed scenarios conversion of this land use types were limited at the specific locations. Land use simulation and scenario design can be very useful for programmers and natural resources managers.