Analysis and evaluation of landuse changes trend in Mobarakeh in order to achieve the sustainable development

Desirable spatial distribution of landuses, in the planning and management of landuse, is one of the fundamental parameters for the realization of sustainable development. In present era, due to population growth and technological advancement, the phenomenon of land degradation is taking place and expanding in form of conversion a large part of land with use of forest and pasture land to residential and industrial areas. Therefore, present study uses remote sensing and GIS data to monitor landuse change in Mobarakeh during the period of 30 years (1985-2015).

To achieve goals, Landsat satellite images, MSS and OLI sensors from 1985 and 2015 were used. Thus, after preprocessing steps including the radiometric and atmospheric correction, band stack, mosaic images and separating the study area, the images were classified using maximum likelihood method and landuse map was prepared at two time intervals. Then, variation type of each landuse was estimated using image difference method over the period 1985 to 2015 and their area was calculated.

Results showed that area of industrial land which was 9.16 km2 in 1985, was increased to 20.33 km2 in 2015. During this period, area of agriculture, range and forest lands have been reduced 38.75, 18 and 1.45 km2 (5.09, 2.37 and 0.19%) respectively, and extent of industrial, urban, degraded and barren lands have been expanded 11.17, 9.46, 16.14 and 7.1 km2 (1.47, 1.24, 2.12 and 0.93%) respectively.

landuse changes from agriculture and rangeland to industryial and residential lands at the 7.46% during the three decades from 1985 to 2015 has led to more intense exploitation from ecosystem resources and ultimately caused instability in Mobarakeh. Therefore, in order to apply correct environment management in this area, it is necessary to restrict any action, such as landuse change, so that it does not result to more severe ecosystem degradation.