A Time-Series Analysis of Landscape Structural Changes using the Spatial Autocorrelation Method - Focusing on Namyangju Area -

Abstract

In order to determine temporal changes of the urban landscape, interdependence and interaction among geo-spatial objects can be analyzed using GIS analytic methods. In this study, to investigate changes in the landscape structure of the Namyangju area, the size and shape of landscape patches, and the distance between the patches were analyzed with the Spatial Autocorrelation Method. In addition, both global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses were conducted. The results of global Moran's I revealed that both patch size and shape index transformed to a more dispersed pattern over time. Next, the local Moran's I of patch size in all time series determined that almost all patches were of a high-low pattern. Meanwhile, the local Moran's I of the shape index was found to have changed from a high-high pattern to a high-low pattern in time series. Finally, as time passes, the number of hot spot patches about size and shape index had been decreased according to the results of hot spot analysis. These changes appeared around the development projects in the study area. From the results of this study, degradation of landscape patches in Namyangju were ascertained and their specific areas were delineated. Such results can be used as useful data in selecting areas for conservation and for preparing plans and strategies in environmental restoration.