Spatio-temporal change of land use pattern in the northwest of Hubei Province

Abstract

Exibei, located in the northwestern Hubei Province, is recognized as an important region for the geographical transition from north to south, which has significant ecological status. Consequently, the research on land use pattern in this region contains non-negligible value for environmental protection. This research provided a scientific basis and an effective support for the sustainable development of ecological environment in Exibei region and the rational use of land resources. In this paper, combing with geographic information technology and spatial statistical methods, we mainly focused on the temporal and spatial changes of land use in Exibei region based on remote sensing maps from 1990 to 2015. The results show: 1) during the study period, the distribution area of farmland, grassland and unused landscape decreased, whereas the forestland and water land were opposite; 2) the Single Land Use Dynamic Degree of building land was 1.46%, which was the largest among all land use types; 3) the Comprehensive Dynamic Degree in the study area was 0.06%, indicating that pattern change was not obvious.