Land cover change as a consequence of natural and human impact: SE Baltic Sea region example

Abstract

Main task of this research is to make suggestions for further research on land cover change and to use land cover change analysis as indicator of micro-climate change in example of Lithuanian Baltic Sea coastal zone. Coastal zones are among those areas that have been subject to intense human pressure due to their natural resources. As a transitional zone, between land and sea, coastal zones hold some of the most valuable and productive habitats on earth. Huge amounts of energy circulate in these zones, which attracts all sort of human interest and activities (Rivis et al, 2016; Schlacher et al., 2014; Bicknell et al., Sperb et al., 2006). A large number of population lives near the coastal zone. Analysis on the land use and land cover change as a consequence on human livelihoods as well as on the environment is a matter of concern for sustainable development and management of natural resources. The Baltic Sea and coast is one of the most vital natural resources of Lithuania. Only a small part of the Baltic Sea coast belongs to Lithuania (~91 km.) and almost half of it belongs to the National park area and Natura 2000 or other prohibited area (State Cadastre of Protected Areas, 2014). Retrospective analysis of land cover dynamics and its driving force has been undertaken using satellite images of Landsat5 TM year 1989, Landsat5 TM year 2000 and Landsat8 TM year 2014 and 2016 with 30 m spatial resolution of Lithuanian Western part. Analysis of building’s geodatabase (year 1997 and 2016) applied on orthophoto of Lithuanian Western part was made in order to identify socio-economic change and its difference’s impact to nowadays land cover change. In detail statistical, mathematical analysis of ongoing processes have been made using national statistical data and in field trips of most areas of interest. Results showed that during research period landscapes in terms of agriculture, urbanization and human behavior had changed the most. Further research will be carried out in terms of micro-climate change evaluation.