Land use analysis of Lake Khanka basin using remote sensing data

Abstract

The paper presents results of the analysis of the land use map compiled for transboundary Lake Khanka Basin using remote sensing data and geoinformation systems. The map reflects the distribution of 12 land categories in Lake Khanka basin in 2017 (arable land, abandoned arable land, paddy field, abandoned paddy field, shrubs and sparse growth, forest land, open pit, settlements, meadows and pastures, wet meadows and marshes, water bodies, forest cuttings and fire sites). The data of land use structure in the whole Lake’s watershed, in its Russian and Chinese parts are given. Data on the distribution of different land categories in the administrative territories of the rank of districts (Russia) and counties (China) are also presented. The analysis of land use structure showed that about 50 % of the Chinese part of the basin is covered by anthropogenically transformed natural complexes. The share of such lands in the territory of Russia amounts to 28 %. Agriculture is the most important factor in the change of natural complexes in Lake Khanka basin. Before early 1990s, the area of farmland had increased in the basin on both sides of the border, after that there was a significant reduction in cultivated lands, which had lasted for 10 years in the territory of China and for 20 years in Russia. Over the past decade, the area of cultivated areas in the basin and adjacent territories has extended again, which indicates an increase of anthropogenic impact and requires serious attention to monitoring of the ecological state of lands in the basin.