Geographic Information System Techniques Research Articles

Storm surge risk assessment and sensitivity analysis based on multiple criteria decision-making methods: a case study of Huizhou City

Coastal areas face escalating storm surge disasters due to rising sea levels and urban growth, posing greater risks to lives and property. Comprehensive storm surge risk assessment and sensitivity analysis in coastal areas are crucial for effective disaster prevention and mitigation. This research focuses on Huizhou, China, conducting a comparative study of storm surge risk assessment and sensitivity analysis based on an integrated approach, which includes the storm surge inundation numerical model (FVCOM-SWAN), Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques, and Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. Ten flood-related risk indicators are selected from the hazard, exposure and vulnerability, the weights of which are evaluated through a comprehensive comparison among Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Entropy Weight (EW), AHP-EW, and FAHP-EW methods. High-precision risk level maps are generated subsequently utilizing GIS and RS techniques. Sensitivities of the indicators are analyzed using One-At-A-Time (OAT) and Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST) methods. The proposed storm surge risk assessment framework, the MCDM comparative study and the sensitivity analysis can offer insights for better understanding and management of storm surge risks, and contribute to the standardization and application of storm surge risk assessment.

Groundwater sustainability in the face of urban expansion: A case study on Kolkata's ongoing challenge

This study investigates the impact of urbanization on groundwater sustainability in the megacity of Kolkata, India, amidst the global trend of increasing urban populations. Utilizing a site-specific approach and multidisciplinary framework, the research analyses three decades (1990–2020) of urban development, correlating the expansion of built-up areas with changes in groundwater levels. Remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, specifically the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), are employed to assess built-up area dynamics. Groundwater data from governmental sources, combined with spatial analysis using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), reveal a complex relationship. Descriptive analysis indicates a significant rise in average built-up areas over the decades, with a notable increase in 2020. Correlation coefficients shift from negative in 1990 to strongly positive in 2020, signifying a growing dependence of groundwater levels on built-up areas. Spatial autocorrelation showing a strong clustered pattern in case of groundwater scenario over the years. Geographical analysis highlights varying impacts across different wards, especially in the southern part of Kolkata. Time series analysis forecasts a continued increase in built-up areas, potentially leading to a decline in groundwater levels. The study emphasizes the urgent need for site-specific interventions to ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources in Kolkata, as urbanization continues unabated. The methodology and findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and city planners to address the challenges posed by urban development and safeguard groundwater resources in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

EFFECT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

The greenhouse gas emissions from Animal production related activities has turn out to be an important cause of global warming. This can be attributed to the continent-wide massive burdens arising from the switch in food consumption pattern. Anthropogenic activitiesrelated to livestock production contribute 37% of methane (CH4) emission, 9% of carbon dioxide (CO2) output and utilize 8% of the world water. An estimated aggregate of 7.1 billion tonnes of CO2 are generated by the feed and livestock industries. The effect of global warming is presently being experienced such as unstable rainfall pattern, drought, extended walk in search of pasture and water, coupled with significant impact on livestock productivity (rate of weight gainand milk production potentials).The potential of Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve sustainable animal production is being threatened by global warming, it is. therefore necessary to leverage on the use of livestock breed that combine the heat tolerance of the local stock with the high milk yield of the exotic breed (crossbreeding) to produce an improved breed of livestock. Ameliorative strategies such as strategic supplementation of diets, matching genetics to specific systems and management of manure with potential to improve productivity of livestock should be included into livestock production systems in the Sub-Sahara Africa. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques will also assist to acquire ideal results on susceptibility of smallholder farmers. Finally, there is the need for shift in policy to promote the livelihood of indigenous livestock farmers under favourable environmental conditions.

Prioritization of Sub-Watershed Based on Soil Loss Estimation Using RUSLE Model

Soil erosion is one of the most crucial land degradation problems and is considered the most critical environmental hazard worldwide. The present study uses remote sensing data integrated with the geographical information system (GIS) technique and the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model for assessing the annual average soil loss of the Digaru watershed of India for 1999 and 2020. The estimated mean gross yearly soil loss from the entire watershed was 102716 t yr-1 in 1999 and 178931.6 t yr-1 in 2020. The overall average soil loss rate increased significantly between 1999 and 2020, rising from 4.73 t—ha-1yr-1 to 8.43 t—ha-1yr-1. The sub-watersheds are prioritized as high (≥ 40 t ha−1yr−1), moderate (20–40 t ha−1yr−1), and low (<20 t ha−1yr−1) based on the spatial distribution of soil erosion. Seven sub-watersheds have been grouped under low priority, followed by seven under moderate priority and one under high priority. This study demands instant attention for soil and water conservation efforts in highly eroded watershed areas.

GIS-FA: an approach to integrating thematic maps, factor-analytic, and envirotyping for cultivar targeting.

We propose an "enviromics" prediction model for recommending cultivars based on thematic maps aimed at decision-makers. Parsimonious methods that capture genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) in multi-environment trials (MET) are important in breeding programs. Understanding the causes and factors of GEI allows the utilization of genotype adaptations in the target population of environments through environmental features and factor-analytic (FA) models. Here, we present a novel predictive breeding approach called GIS-FA, which integrates geographic information systems (GIS) techniques, FA models, partial least squares (PLS) regression, and enviromics to predict phenotypic performance in untested environments. The GIS-FA approach enables: (i) the prediction of the phenotypic performance of tested genotypes in untested environments, (ii) the selection of the best-ranking genotypes based on their overall performance and stability using the FA selection tools, and (iii) the creation of thematic maps showing overall or pairwise performance and stability for decision-making. We exemplify the usage of the GIS-FA approach using two datasets of rice [Oryza sativa (L.)] and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in MET spread over tropical areas. In summary, our novel predictive method allows the identification of new breeding scenarios by pinpointing groups of environments where genotypes demonstrate superior predicted performance. It also facilitates and optimizes cultivar recommendations by utilizing thematic maps.

Integrating GEO-Spatial Techniques for Reflecting Micro-Nutrients and Sulfur Variations and Spatial Distribution to Support Farm Management Practices

To understand the spatial dependency of available sulphur and micronutrients in an experimental farm, 83 soil samples (surface and subsurface) were taken from Agricultural College, Killikulam to characterize the spatial variability of available Sulphur and micronutrients. The geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) techniques were applied. With the help of geostatistical analyst of ArcGIS software kriged map of different soil parameters were prepared. Available S, Fe, Cu and Zn were fitted with a spherical model and that available Mn was fitted with an exponential model. Soil available Cu had strong spatial dependence with a range of 3.62 km. Available Fe, Zn and Mn had moderate spatial dependence with a range of 9.47 km, 5.61 km and 2.70 km, respectively. Available sulphur had weak spatial dependence with a range of 6.86 km. The spatial distribution of the available sulphur and micronutrients were significantly correlated to the soil formation factors. Agricultural practices such as application of fertilizers and pesticides also had significant effects on the spatial distributions of the available micro-nutrients and sulfur.

Locustamigratoria (L.) (Orthoptera) in a warming world: unravelling the ecological consequences of climate change using GIS.

The migratory locust, Locustamigratoria (L.), a significant grasshopper species known for its ability to form large swarms and cause extensive damage to crops and vegetation, is subject to the influence of climate change. This research paper employs geographic information system (GIS) and MaxEnt ecological modelling techniques to assess the impact of climate change on the distribution patterns of L.migratoria. Occurrence data and environmental variables are collected and analysed to create predictive models for the current and future distribution of the species. The study highlights the crucial role of climate factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, in determining the locust's distribution. The MaxEnt models exhibit high-performance indicators, accurately predicting the potential habitat suitability of L.migratoria. Additionally, specific bioclimatic variables, such as mean temperature and annual precipitation, are identified as significant factors influencing the species' presence. The generated future maps indicate how this species will invade new regions especially in Europe. Such results predict the risk of this destructive species for many agriculture communities as a direct result of a warming world. The research provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between locust distribution and environmental factors, enabling the development of effective strategies for locust management and early warning systems to mitigate the impact on agriculture and ecosystems.

Assessment of soil erosion in the Irga watershed on the eastern edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, India

Human activities to improve the quality of life have accelerated the natural rate of soil erosion. In turn, these natural disasters have taken a great impact on humans. Human activities, particularly the conversion of vegetated land into agricultural land and built-up area, stand out as primary contributors to soil erosion. The present study investigated the risk of soil erosion in the Irga watershed located on the eastern fringe of the Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand, India, which is dominated by sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil with low soil organic carbon (SOC) content. The study used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Geographical Information System (GIS) technique to determine the rate of soil erosion. The five parameters (rainfall-runoff erosivity (R) factor, soil erodibility (K) factor, slope length and steepness (LS) factor, cover-management (C) factor, and support practice (P) factor) of the RUSLE were applied to present a more accurate distribution characteristic of soil erosion in the Irga watershed. The result shows that the R factor is positively correlated with rainfall and follows the same distribution pattern as the rainfall. The K factor values in the northern part of the study area are relatively low, while they are relatively high in the southern part. The mean value of the LS factor is 2.74, which is low due to the flat terrain of the Irga watershed. There is a negative linear correlation between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the C factor, and the high values of the C factor are observed in places with low NDVI. The mean value of the P factor is 0.210, with a range from 0.000 to 1.000. After calculating all parameters, we obtained the average soil erosion rate of 1.43 t/(hm2•a), with the highest rate reaching as high as 32.71 t/(hm2•a). Therefore, the study area faces a low risk of soil erosion. However, preventative measures are essential to avoid future damage to productive and constructive activities caused by soil erosion. This study also identifies the spatial distribution of soil erosion rate, which will help policy-makers to implement targeted soil erosion control measures.

"Integrated Geospatial Solutions for Enhanced Kukadi River Basin Delineation using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques"

This study offers an innovative approach to enhance the precision and accuracy of the delineation of the Kukadi River Basin by integrating cutting-edge geospatial technologies, particularly Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) methods. Due to its varied topography and land cover, the Kukadi River Basin play a crucial hydrological entity in the area which presents difficulties for standard delineation techniques. High-resolution satellite imagery is used in the study to provide exact information on land cover in the Kukadi River Basin. The work aims to extract comprehensive land cover data by utilizing spectral analysis and image classification techniques, which are part of RS. In order to improve the delineation of the Basin borders, this data is seamlessly integrated with GIS spatial analytic tools, which also incorporate digital elevation models, slope, and other terrain metrics. The research findings demonstrate the possibility of combining RS and GIS technology to overcome the challenges associated with varying terrains, hence furthering the improvement of Basin delineation approaches. The results provide a useful and dependable paradigm for defining river Basin in a variety of geographical contexts, which is important for water resource management, Environmental Conservation, Land use planning, decision-makers, researchers, and practitioners working on hydrological studies.

Spatial Dynamics of Land Use Land Cover of Minna City and Environs, Niger State, Nigeria

Aims: Spatial dynamics of land use land cover of Minna city and environs, Niger State, Nigeria.
 Study Design: Survey and longitudinal research were carried out.
 Place and Duration of Study: Minna town, Niger State, Nigeria between 1990 and 2022.
 Methodology: This study investigated the dynamics of land use land cover of Minna city and environs, Niger State, Nigeria using satellite remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technique. 
 Results: Findings of the study showed that in 1990, land use type was dominated by agricultural land (50%), followed by vegetation land (30%). However, built-up area was less than 10% indicating that urban heat stress was limited. It was observed that the built-up area concentrated on the center and north-western segments of the city. In 2010, bare ground dominated the land use type of Minna city and environs at the rate of 45%. This was followed by agricultural land at the rate of 35%. The built-up area occupied 15% of the entire land surface area of the city, indicating a tremendous rise from the previous decades. In 2022, the land use type showed a tremendous rise in agricultural land at the rate of 37%. This was followed by bare ground at an alarming increase of 36%. The built-up area ranked third at the rate of 20%, showing that the city had a severe urban heat effect due to heat generated by urban pavement materials.
 Conclusion: Thus, the practice of sustainable land use, good implementation of forest practice, appropriate water resources conservation and the promotion of alternative livelihood to agriculture should be implemented for the Minna inhabitants to reverse the situation of LULC changes without further delay.

Land suitability analysis for turmeric crop for humid tropical Kerala, India, under current and future climate scenarios using advanced geospatial techniques.

Turmeric cultivation primarily thrives in India, followed by Bangladesh, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. India leads globally in both area and production of turmeric. Despite this, there is a recognized gap in research regarding the impact of climate change on site suitability of turmeric. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate both the present and future suitability of turmeric cultivation within the humid tropical region of Kerala, India, by employing advanced geospatial techniques. The research utilized meteorological data from the Indian Meteorological Department for the period of 1986-2020 as historical data and projected future data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). Four climatic scenarios of shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change AR6 model of MIROC6 for the year 2050 (SSP 1-2.6, SSP 2-4.5, SSP 3-7.0 and SSP 5-8.5) were used. The results showed that suitable area for turmeric cultivation is declining in future scenario and this decline can be primarily attributed to fluctuations in temperature and an anticipated increase in rainfall in the year 2050. Notable changes in the spatial distribution of suitable areas over time were observed through the application of geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Importantly, as per the suitability criteria provided by ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (ICAR-NBSS & LUP), all the districts in Kerala exhibited moderately suitable conditions for turmeric cultivation. With the GIS tools, the study identified highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable areas of turmeric cultivation in Kerala. Presently 28% of area falls under highly suitable, 41% of area falls under moderately suitable and 11% falls under not suitable for turmeric cultivation. However, considering the projected scenarios for 2050 under the SSP framework, there will be a significant decrease in highly suitable area by 19% under SSP 5-8.5. This reduction in area will have an impact on the productivity of the crop as a result of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. The outcome of the present research suggests that the state of Kerala needs to implement suitable climate change adaptation and management strategies for sustaining the turmeric cultivation. Additionally, the present study includes a discussion on potential management strategies to address the challenges posed by changing climatic conditions for optimizing turmeric production in the region. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Morphometric Analysis of Dachigam Drainage Basin Using Geo-Spatial Technology (GST)

The examination of morphometric parameters through quantitative analysis proves highly valuable in assessing river basins, prioritizing watersheds for soil and water conservation, and natural resources management. In this study, an in-depth analysis of the Dachigam Catchment has been conducted, focusing on the quantification of various morphometric parameters. The research employs Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to assess morphometric parameters in the micro-watersheds of the Dachigam Catchment. Linear and areal morphometric parameters were systematically derived and tabulated based on linear and shape characteristics of drainage channels, utilizing GIS and topographical maps (scale 1:50,000). The morphometric analysis conducted in the Dachigam catchment indicates that the basin has an elongated shape, suggesting that peak discharges would generally exhibit a flat profile and take time to rise. The drainage network within the basin is predominantly of the dendritic type, signifying a degree of homogeneity in texture. The slope analysis shows that the Dachigam watershed has a significant amount of steep terrain, ranging from 0 to 74.63%. The majority of the area falls within the 24 to 35% slope range. Examination of the aspect indicates that slopes oriented towards the south and southwest are the most prevalent in the basin. The watershed's mean bifurcation ratio is 1.71. This low ratio suggests that the watershed hasn't experienced significant distortion. In contrast, high bifurcation ratios exceeding 5 typically indicate distorted drainage patterns. The research illustrates how remote sensing and GIS methods can effectively analyze watershed morphometrics. These techniques offer valuable insights for planners and decision-makers involved in watershed-level planning and drainage basin management.

Delineation of potential alternative agriculture region using RS and AHP-based GIS techniques in the drought prone upper Dwarakeswer river basin, West Bengal, India

Delineation of potential alternative agriculture region is an essential tactics of the drought prone to mitigate the harmful effect of drought for maintaining food security and sustainable economy. These alternatives can be integrated into existing cropping systems for providing additional income to farmers. The present study deals with site suitability analysis of alternative agriculture in the drought-prone upper Dwarakeswer river basin considering 15 parameters using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) based Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The alternative agriculture zones are then delineated on the basis of 15 separate thematic layers such as Slope, landuse and landcover, soil depth, ground water, distance from roads, soil texture, distance from settlements, ruggedness index, drainage density, soil drainage, proximity to ponds, distance from vegetation, distance from streams, nitrogen and organic carbon. Finally, seven alternative agricultural zones are identified; these are plantation agriculture, integrated farming, fruit culture, folk rice culture, medicinal plant farming, mixed farming and horticulture covering an area of 96 km2, 234 km2, 295 km2, 341 km2, 298 km2, 199 km2 and 74 km2 respectively. This is also to note that the ‘Not Suitable Zone’ has been identified accounting 397 km2 area and covering 20.5% of total study area. A total of 350 alternative agricultural sites are identified for validation purpose and the computed kappa coefficient (k) of 95.34 denote a overall accuracy of 96%.

Quantifying Spatio-Temporal River Morphological Change and Its Consequences in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System Techniques

The evolution of delta and riverbank erosion within the river basin can significantly impact the environment, ecosystems, and lives of those residing along rivers. The Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), counted among the world’s largest deltas, has undergone significant morphological alterations via natural processes and human activities. This research aims to examine these morphological alterations and their impacts on local economic and social conditions in the VMD. This study utilized satellite data from 1988 to 2020, coupled with population density and land use/land cover (LULC) maps from 2002, 2008, and 2015. The findings reveal that the VMD experienced widespread erosion over the past three decades, covering an area of 66.8 km2 and affecting 48% of the riverbank length (682 km). In contrast to riverbanks, islets showed an accretion trend with an additional area of 13.3 km2, resulting in a decrease in river width over the years. Riverbank and islet erosion has had a profound impact on the LULC, population, and economy of the provinces along the VMD. From 2002 to 2020, eight different land use types were affected, with agricultural land being the most severely eroded, constituting over 86% of the total lost land area (3235.47 ha). The consequences of land loss due to erosion affected 31,273 people and resulted in substantial economic damages estimated at VND 19,409.90 billion (USD 799.50 million) across nine provinces along the VMD. Notably, even though built-up land represented a relatively small portion of the affected area (6.58%), it accounted for the majority of the economic damage at 70.6% (USD 564.45 million). This study underscores the crucial role of satellite imagery and GIS in monitoring long-term morphological changes and assessing their primary impacts. Such analysis is essential for formulating effective plans and strategies for the sustainable management of river environments.

Utilizing Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery for LULC and NDVI Change Dynamics for Gelephu, Bhutan

Gelephu, located in the Himalayan region, has undergone significant development activities due to its suitable topography and geographic location. This has led to rapid urbanization in recent years. Assessing land use land cover (LULC) dynamics and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) can provide important information about urbanization trends and changes in vegetation health, respectively. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques based on various satellite products offers a unique opportunity to analyze these changes at a local scale. Exploring Bhutan’s mandate to maintain 60% forest cover and analyzing LULC transitions and vegetation changes using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery at 10 m resolution can provide important insights into potential future impacts. To examine these, we first performed LULC mapping for Gelephu for 2016 and 2023 using a Random Forest (RF) classifier and identified LULC changes. Second, the study assessed the dynamics of vegetation change within the study area by analysing the NDVI for the same period. Furthermore, the study also characterized the resulting LULC change for Gelephu Thromde, a sub-administrative municipal entity, as a result of the notable intensity of the infrastructure development activities. The current study used a framework to collect Sentinel-2 satellite data, which was then used for pre-and post-processing to create LULC and NDVI maps. The classification model achieved high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of up to 0.89. The corresponding LULC and NDVI statistics were analysed to determine the current status of the LULC and vegetation indices, respectively. The LULC change analysis reveals urban growth of 5.65% and 15.05% for Gelephu and Gelephu Thromde, respectively. The NDVI assessment shows significant deterioration in vegetation health with a 75.11% loss of healthy vegetation in Gelephu between 2016 and 2023. The results serve as a basis for strategy adaption required to examine the environmental protection and sustainable development management, and the policy interventions to minimize and balance the ecosystem, taking into account urban landscape.

Using GIS-supported MCDA method for appropriate site selection of parking lots: The case study of the city of Tetovo, North Macedonia

The provision of adequate parking spaces for vehicles has emerged as a prominent and challenging issue confronted by towns, cities, and municipal authorities in recent years. Addressing this problem necessitates a thorough examination of the prevailing physical conditions in existing parking areas, while simultaneously undertaking analyses to identify suitable locations for new parking areas or parking lots. This study focuses on the city of Tetovo, North Macedonia, investigating and assessing the available parking areas while analyzing potential sites in accordance with the city's needs and requirements. To facilitate decision-making, a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach is employed to address the parking site selection analysis problem. The weightage of criteria utilized in the analysis is estimated, and potential parking solutions or site selections for new parking areas are identified through the combined application of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) techniques, identifying primary and sub-criteria, with a focus on Land Use and Transportation as the main criteria for selecting parking lots. The integration of GIS and AHP offers an effective and optimal methodology for site selection and identifying suitable parking locations. AHP method, applied to criteria, determined relative weights through expert opinions, while GIS facilitated spatial analysis for identifying suitable parking locations. The study identifies accessibility to main roads as the criterion carrying the greatest weight (0.517), while accessibility to cultural facilities holds the lowest weight (0.117). The study serves as a pivotal resource for sustainable urban management and decision-making, providing insights into future urban planning and the identification of suitable parking lot sites to foster sustainable development within the city.

Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System To Make Baghdad More Beautiful

The ground of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) has become interesting and attractive with expanding opportunities. It provides critical tools that can be used at various levels to guide decision-making toward long-term sustainability, which in this paper, remote sensing application has used in GIS various fields. These fields such as urban plan city, education, economic development, and natural resource conservation. GIS and remote sensing technology have seen rapid growth over the last decade. This paper presents the most commonly used processing procedures for remotely sensed data, specifically image processing algorithms, as well as the application capabilities of GIS technologies. A study was conducted for the purpose of identify and mapping the temporal variability of land cover types prevalent in Baghdad Governorate using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Because of classified urban areas has increased continuously with time of the shortage and other factors in the category of water bodies over time. For this reason, we first presented processing procedures for remotely sensed data, specifically image processing techniques, as well as the application capabilities of GIS technologies. to reach the develop urban area, given green belt around Baghdad as result, second put the steps of the of urban area plan as show in Figure 1.

Spatio-temporal investigation of urbanization and its impact on habitat fragmentation in natural ecosystems of Istanbul using Shannon’s entropy and landscape metrics in GIS

This study aims to investigate the impact of spatio-temporal dynamics of urban sprawl on habitats in Istanbul, using the CORINE 1990 and 2018 land cover datasets. In this context, by means of geographic information system (GIS) tools and techniques, land cover maps are created for land cover change analysis and visualization, the Shannon’s entropy method is performed for measuring urban growth and sprawl, and the landscape metrics method is applied for assessing habitat loss and fragmentation. Results indicate that the rate of urban sprawl in the area increased by 0.1230 as per the Shannon’s entropy index over the 28-year period. Similarly, the Shannon Diversity Index and the Shannon Evenness Index rose from 1.74 to 1.85 and from 0.68 to 0.70, respectively, indicating an increase in urbanization within the area. Moreover, an analysis of patch numbers reveals that habitat fragmentation increased in shrub and/or herbaceous vegetation associations (72.55%), heterogeneous agricultural areas (45.11%), arable lands (42.5%), forests (36.13%) and pastures (15.05%), due to urbanization. Habitat fragmentation has had a detrimental effect on the local biodiversity. While 15 flora species were identified as vulnerable, 13 as endangered and 9 as critically endangered, 19 fauna species were identified as vulnerable and 5 as endangered. This study highlights that the natural habitats and biodiversity of Istanbul will suffer further decline due to urbanization unless sustainable urban planning and management policies are put into practice. It is essential to have controlled urban development to preserve the ecosystem’s carrying capacity, and urbanization decisions must consider this requirement.

Analysing Sustainable Urban Growth: Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Urban Expansion in Gampola Urban Centre

Urbanization is a dynamic process which can be considered as one of the most significant indicators of development. It occurs both horizontally and vertically on the Earth’s surface according to a pattern which has positive and negative implications. Some countries measure their development by the level of urbanization because it directly affects for a country’s economy. During past decades, Gampola urban centre was experiencing a gradual urban growth and several implications. This study focuses on investigating urban expansion pattern of Gampola during 16 years by analysing three distinct years 2006, 2013, and 2022. Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques were employed to examine spatio-temporal transformations and urban expansion patterns of Gampola and its outskirts. Landsat images for three distinct years were classified using pixel-based supervised classification to determine Land Use Land Cover (LULC) of the study area which achieved an impressive overall accuracy of approximately 90%. Four major LULC types were identified those are prominent in the area namely, water, built-up, forest, paddy lands and bare lands. Temporal changes of vegetation cover for 16 years were analysed further using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Consequent implications on Land Surface Temperature (LST) across the time period were analysed using thermal band of Landsat images. NDVI value has decreased from +0.7 to +0.5 during 2006-2013 and up to +0.4 during 2013-2022. LST analysis revealed a rise in temperature, increasing from 29.89° C up to 31.11° C during 2006- 2013 and surging to 33.14° C by 2022. Quantifying the urban expansion of Gampola was performed using buffer analysis. Analysis of urban areas grown within 1km distanced five buffer zones from urban core was performed to quantify urban expansion. Fourth buffer zone exhibited the highest urban growth, while first buffer zone displayed lowest urban growth during 2006 to 2022. In the interval between 2013 and 2022, the fifth buffer zone appeared as the zone with the highest urban growth. Further, Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) was employed to identify the urban expansion patterns, and Gampola urban area displayed an Edge Expansion growth type. We recommend the development of urbanized areas in a sustainable and efficient manner to mitigate adverse consequences and promote balanced growth.
 
 Keywords: GIS and RS, Urban expansion, LEI, LST, Sustainable development

Assessment of Groundwater Potential Zones by Integrating Hydrogeological Data, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, and Analytical Hierarchical Process Techniques in the Jinan Karst Spring Basin of China

Groundwater management in the Jinan Spring basin is hampered by its complex topography, overexploitation, and excessive urbanisation. This has led to springs drying up during dry seasons and a decrease in discharge in recent years. GIS and the AHP were employed to delineate groundwater potential zones using eight thematic layers: slope, geology, lineament density, topographic wetness index (TWI), rainfall, soil, drainage density, and land use/land cover (LULC). The model’s accuracy was assessed by comparing the findings to basin groundwater observation well data. We found that 74% of the observations matched the projected zoning. Further validation utilising the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve gave an AUC of 0.736. According to the study, 67.31% of the land has a good GWPZ, 5.60% has a very good one, 27.07% is medium, and 0.03% is low. Heavy rains throughout the rainy season raise water levels. Dry weather lowers water levels. This study’s conclusions will protect groundwater from climate change. Integrating hydrogeological data, GIS, remote sensing, and AHP approaches maximises data use, improves groundwater potential zone delineation, and promotes sustainable groundwater resource management decision making. This integrated method can help land use planners, hydrologists, and policymakers find optimal locations for water supply projects, establish groundwater management techniques, and reduce groundwater risks.