Land use and land cover change and its impact on river morphology in Johor River Basin, Malaysia

Abstract

Study Region Johor River Basin (JRB), Malaysia. Study Focus The study generates long time-series land use and land cover (LULC) change at 5- years interval using Google Earth Engine and investigate the LULC changes and river morphology changes of JRB. Intensity analysis on the LULC changes was conducted to highlight the transition between LULC. Targeted transition from natural to disturbed lands were detected, which impact the river morphology of the basin. River morphology changes were identified along Johor River, based on the centerline migration derived from Channel Migration Toolbox. New Hydrological Insights for the Region JRB has undergone high intensity LULC change over the past decades due to significant economic and population growth which impacted the river morphology. Channel migration analysis reported high river centerline migration (498609 m2 to 1853886 m2) of Johor River. Higher migration rate was identified at the estuary of the Johor River and several locations along the river. Specific locations with high channel migration were highlighted where human-induced changes are the factors to affect the morphology of the river. The proposed method is first applied in the region and the results enhance local and regional policies and decision making on food and water security, prevent extreme events such as floods, and further degradation of natural land.