Abstract
Objectives: The present study aims to investigate and analyse the dynamics of land use/land change over time in the province of Constantine, Algeria, using multi-temporal Landsat imagery and ancillary data. Methods/Statistical Analysis: A supervised classification technique using Maximum Likelihood algorithm was used for land use/land cover classification, to generate thematic maps, with six major classes. The accuracy assessment was applied for each maps based on stratified random method. Furthermore, post-classification technique was achieved to provide a detailed matrix of “from-to” change between 1987 and 2015. Findings: The results showed that the landscape patterns in the province of Constantine, Algeria, have been changed. The built-up areas and agricultural lands have increased by 375%, and 13% respectively. However, significant spatial reduction in vegetation areas was observed. Both of grasslands and forestlands were decreased by 54% and 9.11%, respectively, especially in the eastern part of the province. Application/Improvements: The dramatic decline in vegetation covers in the most mountainous areas, indicating the necessity to create new policies based on protecting and enhancing the natural vegetation. Keywords: Constantine, Land Use, Monitoring, Remote Sensing, GIS
Highlights
The rapid development of remote sensing technology and Geographic Information Systems creates new opportunities to monitor land use/land cover dynamics and quantify their changes over time
In light of the recent environmental degradation in Algeria, the Information on land use/land covers over time is considered as an effective way to study the environmental change and dealing with the distribution of natural resources and energy management[1,2]
This study is considered to be an attempt for monitoring land use/land cover changes in the province of Constantine based on remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques, the thematic maps were prepared and accuracy assessment results are considered satisfactory
Summary
The rapid development of remote sensing technology and Geographic Information Systems creates new opportunities to monitor land use/land cover dynamics and quantify their changes over time. In light of the recent environmental degradation in Algeria, the Information on land use/land covers over time is considered as an effective way to study the environmental change and dealing with the distribution of natural resources and energy management[1,2]. For the past 30 years, the province of Constantine has been one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the Algeria, as it emerged to become the first industrial, commercial, and transportation centre of the north-eastern Algeria, the study area has developed in size as suburbanization consumes large areas of agricultural, forest and grasslands. The anthropogenic drivers, coupled with the biophysical forces, have stimulated rapid land cover changes
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