Land Utilization Research Articles

Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Soil quality declines due to the conversion of natural vegetation into farmland and grazing areas. The response of soil properties to land use and land cover changes (LULC) exhibits both spatial and temporal variations. This study aimed to assess the effects of LULC changes on the physico-chemical properties of soil in the Wojic watershed. Soil samples were collected from natural forests, bushland, shrubland, and cultivated lands across three landforms of the watershed (upper, middle, and lower) to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of the soil associated with different LULC types. The LULC categories were compared using mean values and critical thresholds for selected physicochemical soil properties. Soil analysis was conducted using R software, employing one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A normality test was performed before the post hoc analysis, and Tukey’s honest significance difference (HSD) test was utilized for mean separation among the LULC types. Additionally, a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated for the years 1997 and 2017. A simple linear regression model was developed to estimate soil physico-chemical properties over the past 20 years, using laboratory soil parameters and the NDVI for 2017. The pH values showed a slight decrease in cultivated land (from 5.7 to 5.4), bushland (from 7 to 6.6), and shrubland (from 6.5 to 6.2) over the study period. The analysis indicated a declining trend in physico-chemical properties, attributed to changes in vegetation cover and management practices. Consequently, the government needs to enforce policies and regulations that promote effective land resource management and utilization, with particular emphasis on the proper management and conservation of forests, bushlands, and shrublands, as well as measures to prevent increased land resettlement.

Investigation into the Geological Origin and Influencing Factors of Selenium-Enriched Soil in Licheng, Jinan, Shandong Province

The geochemical classification of soils is crucial for the scientific development and utilization of land, particularly in the investigation of selenium-rich soils, which plays a guiding role in the cultivation layout of local selenium-rich agricultural products. This study involves the collection and analysis of over 6000 samples of soil, water quality, and crops from the entire area of Licheng District in Jinan City, Shandong Province. By analyzing the data in conjunction with the geochemical classification standards for soil nutrient levels, soil environmental geochemical levels, and comprehensive soil quality geochemical levels, we delineated a distribution area of selenium-rich soils covering 192.26 km2 in Licheng District, providing a bibliographic basis for the scientific planning of agriculture and forestry in the region.

How Has the Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals in Soil and Water Evolved over the Past 20 Years? A Bibliometric Perspective

Exploring soil heavy metal sources is of great significance for ensuring the safety of ecological environments and agricultural product safety, as well as for guiding pollution control and management policies. This paper retrieved 452 research papers on soil heavy metal source analysis published over the 2004–2024 period from the Web of Science database. The collected literature was subjected to multidimensional bibliometric analysis using the CiteSpace 6.3.R1. The results showed significantly increasing trends in the scientific outputs and the number of papers on heavy metal source analysis in soils and water over the study period. In addition, related research topics have expanded from single to multiple heavy metal elements in environmental media and have increasingly recognized the impact of water pollution on soil contamination. Research methods have also evolved from basic statistical analysis to complex spatial analysis techniques, covering agricultural and urban soils. Previous related studies have focused on heavy metal pollution in different areas, and related research on heavy metal source analysis has now extended from ecological environments to associated human health risks. The present study provides directions for future related research and guidance for ensuring effective source control of heavy metal pollution and safe utilization of land and water resources.

Spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of ecosystem services value in Lanzhou City, China

Aligned with the imperatives of national ecological civilization construction, the systematic investigation into the intricate interplay between shifts in land utilization and the assessment of ecosystem services plays a pivotal and indispensable role in advancing ecological civilization. This endeavor holds significant implications. It aids in optimizing the ecological landscape at the regional level and fosters harmonious coexistence between humanity and the natural world. The study utilizes land-use remote sensing interpretation data from three time periods (2000, 2010, and 2020) and employs various methodologies, including equivalent factor coefficient correction, sensitivity analysis, and spatial autocorrelation. The objective is to uncover the spatiotemporal dynamics of land-use changes and Ecosystem Service Value (ESV) in Lanzhou City. Furthermore, geographic detectors are applied to explore the driving factors influencing ESV spatial heterogeneity and their interactions. The research findings indicate the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, grassland and cropland were the predominant land-use types in Lanzhou City, with cropland and urban land experiencing the most active changes. (2) ESV in Lanzhou City increased from 179.37 billion RMB in 2000 to 193.86 billion RMB in 2020, reflecting an ESV total growth rate of 8.07% and a gradual improvement in the ecological environment. Spatially, ESV exhibits a “west high, east low” distribution pattern, with the center shifting towards the northwest and southeast, gradually reducing spatial imbalance. (3) Analysis of ESV spatial autocorrelation reveals that high-high clusters are predominantly found within the Tulu Gou National Forest Park and the Xinglong Mountain National Natural Reserve, while low-low clusters are primarily concentrated in the central urban area of Lanzhou City. Over the period from 2000 to 2020, the spatial clustering effect of ESV within the study area has progressively intensified. 4)NDVI, precipitation, and GDP emerge as pivotal factors influencing spatial differentiation within Lanzhou City, with natural and societal elements exerting interactive effects on ESV spatial disparities. The research results integrate environmental considerations into the decision-making process, offering valuable insights for formulating targeted ecological protection policies in Lanzhou City. This study embodies concrete measures taken by Lanzhou City in practicing China’s concept of “green water and green mountains are golden silver mountains,” providing a theoretical basis for the harmonious and sustainable development of the ecological economy.

Spatial Coordination Analysis and Development Methods of the Catering Sector in Yongkang City

The catering sector is recognized as a crucial driver for stimulating domestic consumption and fostering sustained economic growth. A scientifically informed spatial planning of the catering sector in county-level cities can help mitigate the overconcentration or excessive dispersal of resources, thereby enhancing the efficiency of land and commercial resource utilization, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable development within a county’s economy. This study focuses on Yongkang City, located in central Zhejiang Province, as a case study. Using Python 3.1 software to extract point-of-interest (POI) data, spatial analysis techniques such as standard deviation ellipses and kernel density estimation are employed to elucidate the spatial distribution characteristics of the catering sector, comprehensive transportation, and public services in Yongkang City. Furthermore, a coupling coordination degree model is utilized to quantify the coupling coordination degrees between the catering sector and comprehensive transportation (D1), as well as between the catering sector and public services (D2), ultimately assessing the overall coupling coordination degree among the three sectors (D3). Based on the analysis results, the coupling coordination degrees are categorized into five levels, followed by a detailed evaluation of the catering sector’s development across different subdistricts. The findings indicate a certain degree of spatial imbalance in the distribution of the catering sector in Yongkang City, with the western region exhibiting a more favorable development trajectory. Notably, Dongcheng Subdistrict achieved the highest coupling coordination degree (0.993), while the northern region, hindered by underdeveloped economic conditions and limited transportation infrastructure, exhibited the lowest coordination degree (0.098). Considering the unique developmental characteristics and current conditions of each subdistrict, this study advocates for the formulation of a long-term sustainable development plan for the catering sector in Yongkang City. The findings of this research may offer valuable insights for other regions and countries, thereby promoting the sustainable advancement of the catering sector.

Realization of building grade fire resistance in independent fire zone of energy storage system

Abstract Lithium battery energy storage technology is one of the most promising technologies in the field of energy storage. The fire prevention and control of energy storage system usually needs to consider the cooperation of various parts of the energy storage system. The domestic standard requirements for the fire resistance of energy storage system have not been completely established. In this paper, combined with the US standard and related fire resistance experimental standards, the relevant requirements and test methods for the fire insulation performance of battery cabinet of the energy storage system are studied, and a set of structural design methods and test schemes for the 2h fire resistance limit of the energy storage system are formed. The research shows that the fire insulation of the battery cabin has positive significance for reducing the energy consumption of the air conditioning of the energy storage product, improving the battery life, and enhancing the safety performance of the energy storage system. It is of great significance to study the suitable fire resistance limit of energy storage products for improving the land utilization rate of energy storage system and saving the construction cost.

Optimizing Growth of Melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Madesta) in Nutrient Film Technique and Drip Irrigation Hydroponics with Varied Substrates

Hydroponic systems offer a promising solution for urban farming and the utilization of unproductive land. Successful implementation, however, requires careful optimization to select the most effective hydroponic system tailored to specific plants and environmental conditions. This study aims to compare the growth and physiological responses of Madesta melons (Cucumis melo L. cv. Madesta) cultivated using the nutrient film technique (NFT) and drip irrigation system (DIS) with variations in growth media. The Madesta melon seeds underwent a two-week germination phase in coco peat media, followed by transplanting into NFT and DIS setups utilizing diverse growth media, including rice husk, rice husk mixed with compost, and compost only. Over four weeks post-cultivation, assessments were conducted on key growth metrics such as leaf count, leaf diameter, plant height, and stem diameter. Plant physiological responses were also analyzed, encompassing chlorophyll and nitrogen levels, along with the mineral composition within leaves and fruits. Results revealed that the DIS cultivation outperformed the NFT in terms of growth outcomes. Among the varied media combinations, the rice husk and compost blend supported growth most effectively. Notably, no significant differences were observed in leaf and fruit nitrogen content between the DIS and NFT systems, and the overall mineral content of the media remained relatively stable before and after the cultivation period. Mineral content analysis revealed calcium as the predominant element in the leaves, while potassium emerged as the most abundant mineral in the fruits. This research sheds light on the potential of hydroponic systems, specifically the DIS method, for enhancing melon cultivation, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate growth media to maximize plant growth.

Development of agrivoltaic insect net house to enhance sustainable energy-food production: a techno-economic assessment

Agrivoltaics (AV) systems are the simultaneous land utilization for sustainable energy and food production. However, AV may not be suitable for some crops that require rigorous pest management. This study has applied an innovative approach, combining AV with an insect net house to cultivate capsicum. The 1.8 kW AV system has been installed at a 3-m elevation to facilitate unrestricted tractor manoeuvrability for various farming operations. The structure can withstand winds as high as 140.4 km/h. The system has a 3,612-kWh energy capacity and a 51.41 kg food production capacity. The system's energy and food conversion efficiency are 14.09% and 154.8%, respectively, compared to the traditional systems. Economic metrics like a 2.20 benefit-cost ratio and a 9.39-year payback period have been included in the findings. Further, the land equivalence ratio is 1.97, indicating a better system than traditional AV and agriculture approaches.

Conflicts, crop choice, and agricultural investments: Empirical evidence from Nigeria

Conflict remains a major driver of poverty in Africa. Conflicts and political instability in the region have been increasing recently and are drawing more attention in public discourse. While it is widely acknowledged that conflicts disrupt agricultural production and food systems, the full extent of the damage inflicted on the lives and livelihoods of farming households and the mechanisms to redress this harm remain poorly understood. In particular, the link between violent conflicts and households’ land allocation and related agricultural investment decisions remains understudied. In this study, we use geocoded longitudinal data along with detailed agricultural panel household surveys in Nigeria to assess the impact of violent conflicts on crop choice decisions and related agricultural investments. Specifically, we explore how farmers’ land allocation and agricultural investment decisions relate or respond to the outbreak and intensity of violent conflicts. We find that violent conflicts are associated with a reduction in the share of both land area cultivated and area harvested. We also find suggestive evidence that violent conflicts may shape farmers’ crop choices and related investments, as violent conflicts are associated with reduction in the share of land allocated to long-term crops (e.g., perennial crops, trees, roots and tubers). Overall, our findings suggest that violent conflicts can negatively influence farmers’ agricultural investments directly by affecting both land utilization patterns and portfolio allocation across activities with varying returns to investments.

Geo-statistical assessment of spatial variability of soil water-holding capacity for optimal irrigation under semi-arid vertisols in South India

Based on a field survey conducted in Lalgudi block, Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu, India, details about the crops grown, cropping pattern, land utilization and soil samples were collected from 20 locations under seven different soil textures of semi-arid vertisols. Using the data, efficient geostatistical models have been explored to study the spatial variation of irrigation water requirement of paddy, sugarcane and banana grown in the study area. Geostatistics was applied to identify the best interpolation method to acquire the spatial map of the available water holding capacity. Ordinary kriging and Disjunctive kriging were explored with six models viz., Circular, Spherical, Exponential, Gaussian, Penta-spherical and Sine-Hole effect models and were used for spatial prediction. The cross-validation statistics indicated that the Sine-Hole effect model with disjunctive kriging of available water holding capacity was superior for interpolation with a minimum value of RMSE and moderate spatial dependency. With the available water holding capacity map of Lalgudi block, total available water, readily available water and irrigation interval of paddy, sugarcane and banana were estimated. The irrigation interval of paddy, sugarcane and banana were found to vary between 1-2, 3-5 and 2-4 days respectively within Lalgudi block. The adoption of spatial algorithms for estimating crop water requirements would greatly help irrigation planners and water policymakers create efficient regional plans for precision irrigation under semi-arid vertisols.

Markov Chain Analysis of Land-use Changes in India and Maharashtra

Dynamics of Agriculture resembles the history of agriculture in India which examines the emphasizing significance to the nation's legacy, culture and civilization. India's agriculture changed after independence from a food-scarce nation to one that exports food this comes true primarily due to the result of scientific advancements. The present study is based on secondary data with the use of Markov Chain analysis to ascertain land-use changes in India and Maharashtra state. Changes in land use brought on by agriculture, urbanization and environmental factors significantly impact resource management and sustainability. We build a Markov Chain model with secondary land utilization data from government reports to measure the transition probabilities between various land use categories over time. The Markov chain model is easy to understand and communicate. It effectively captures transitions between land-use changes over time. The model works with limited data as compared to other complex models, making it accessible for studies. The results of the study emphasize dynamic interactions between various land-use patterns in India and Maharashtra. There we have concluded a stable land-use changing pattern. A trend towards intensive cropping has been observed during this study. This study reveals important trends in land conversion, most notably the growth of urban areas at the expense of forested and agricultural areas. The predictive abilities of model highlight the significance of well-informed policy-making for sustainable land management by offering insights into potential future land use scenarios.

Phenotypic characterization and genetic mapping of the semi-dwarf mutant sdw9 in maize.

In summary, we characterized a maize semi-dwarf mutant, sdw9, and successfully isolated the responsible gene, which encodes a GRAS protein, through a combination of map-based cloning and Re-sequencing (Re-seq). Our findings demonstrate that the candidate gene ZmGRAS42 regulates BR signaling genes, thereby influencing internode development. This regulatory function likely involves processes such as cell division, cell cycle regulation and cell wall synthesis. Favorable variations of ZmGRAS42 identified in this study may hold promise for the development of lodging-resistant maize cultivars suitable for high-density planting, contributing to the improvement of maize breeding programs. Plant height and lateral root angle are crucial determinants of plant architecture in maize (Zea mays) which are closely related to lodging resistance at high planting density. These traits are intricately regulated by various phytohormones. Mutations affecting hormone biosynthesis and signaling often lead to reduced yield alongside diminished plant height, posing challenges in breeding dwarf maize varieties. In this study, the maize mutant sdw9 was characterized, which displays shorter stature and altered lateral root angle compared to WT, while showing potential to increase planting density and improve overall yield despite a slight reduction in single-ear yield. Employing positional cloning coupled with Re-seq techniques, we pinpointed a transposon insertion in the candidate gene ZmGRAS42, which encodes a GRAS transcription factor involved in BR signaling in maize. Transcriptome analysis revealed that ZmGRAS42 orchestrates the expression of several known dwarfing genes such as D8, Br2, and Na2, along with genes associated with cell wall organization, cell division, and cell cycle regulation, notably Cesa4, Cesa7, and Cyc11. Furthermore, identification of favorable ZmGRAS42 haplotypes linked to reduced plant height offers novel avenues for maize breeding strategies. These findings not only hold the potential for enhancing maize lodging resistance but also for optimizing land utilization through high-density planting practices.

GIS and Bhuvan Data as Tools for Agricultural Development and Economic Empowerment in Pune District

This paper examines the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Bhuvan data to enhance agricultural development and drive economic empowerment in Pune District, Maharashtra, India. GIS technology has been instrumental in optimizing water management, land utilization, and crop management. Likewise, Bhuvan data plays a critical role in monitoring crop growth, identifying diseases, and evaluating land use patterns. These advancements contribute to improved crop yields and increased profits for farmers. The paper highlights the significant impact of GIS and Bhuvan data in promoting agricultural progress in Pune district and suggests that these tools could be effectively implemented in other regions to achieve similar benefits.

How to improve the sustainability of food security? A new perspective on competition in the spatial utilization of cultivated land between food crops and cash crops

How to improve the sustainability of food security? A new perspective on competition in the spatial utilization of cultivated land between food crops and cash crops

Externalities on The Conversion of Mangrove into Salt Pond in Bipolo Village, Sulamu District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara

The utilization of mangrove forest land for the expansion of salt pond areas with the aim of increasing salt production in Bipolo Village causes the loss of economic value of marine biota in the mangrove ecosystem. Mangrove ecosystem resources that are utilized as salt ponds if not accompanied by a rehabilitation process will cause a decrease in the function of the mangrove ecosystem. This will later become a challenge as well as create externalities that need attention from the Kupang district government in regulating the utilization of the mangrove ecosystem in Bipolo Village. This study aims to analyze the positive and negative externality values ??resulting from the development of salt pond businesses in Bipolo Village, Sulamu District, Kupang Regency. To determine the positive and negative externality values ??using the economic valuation method. Based on the results of the study, it is known that the salt pond business in Bipolo Village provides a negative externality value of Rp. 21,439,466,084 and a positive externality value of Rp. 235,280,000 which means that the opening of salt pond land has caused losses from the ecological side of the mangrove which is quite large compared to the benefits obtained.

Differences in Urban Vibrancy Enhancement among Different Mixed Land Use Types: Evidence from Shenzhen, China

Mixed land use has the advantages of promoting the economic and intensive utilization of land and improving the efficiency of land use, which can help alleviate the current urban problems and promote the sustainable development of cities. Existing studies have usually used quantitative indicators to reflect complex and diverse mixed land use situations, and the conclusions obtained usually cannot provide a basis for functional selection in mixed land use practices. Therefore, this study took Shenzhen as the study area to explore whether there are differences in the urban vibrancy enhancement among different mixed land use types. First, the block-scale mixed land use dataset of the study area was constructed. Second, the spatial distribution characteristics of the main functional types and urban vibrancy in the study area were explored. Finally, the impact of mixed land use types on urban vibrancy was explored by using a multiple linear regression model and setting land use type as the dummy variable. The results show that the number of mixed-function blocks in Shenzhen is relatively small, and the mixed land use degree still needs to be improved. Among the 12 main land use types in the study area, those containing industrial land are usually clustered in the northern industrial area of Shenzhen, those containing public or commercial service land are usually clustered in the city center, and those containing residential land are widely distributed in the study area. From the perspective of urban vibrancy, there is a phenomenon of “jobs–housing mismatch” in Shenzhen, as well as a problem of low urban vibrancy in the peripheral areas of the city. In addition, the urban vibrancy intensity of mixed land use types including residential or commercial land is higher, such as “administration+residential”, “residential+commercial”, “industrial+residential+commercial”, and “administration+residential+commercial” land, which includes residential or commercial land, is stronger, while. However, the urban vibrancy stability of mixed land use types including industrial land is higher, such as “industrial+residential” and “industrial+administration” land. The results of this study can provide a basis for future mixed land use practices in terms of land use type selection. For the urban central areas and subcenters in urban peripheral areas, mixed land use types such as “administration+residential”, “residential+commercial”, and “administration+residential+commercial” can be selected to enhance the urban vibrancy stability of the area. For industrial parks in urban peripheral areas, mixed land use types such as “industrial+residential”, “industrial+commercial”, “industrial+administration+residential”, and “administration+residential+commercial” can be selected to enhance the urban vibrancy intensity of the area.

Socialization, cultivation, and utilization of empty land for family medicinal plants

The prevalence of illness complaints among the Indonesian population is 228.15 percent, with 65.01 percent opting for self-treatment using synthetic drugs, while 38.30 percent prefer traditional medicine. The use of traditional medicines in communities, including in Katimbang Village, remains significantly lower compared to synthetic alternatives. A comprehensive strategy is needed to enhance public knowledge and understanding of how to obtain and utilize traditional medicine from medicinal plants found around the home. This socialization and cultivation activity was conducted at Integrated Service Post (Posyandu) RW 04, Katimbang Village, involving 21 community members. The event included a socialization session on family medicinal plants, pre- and post-tests, QA discussions, and the planting of 50 medicinal plant seeds, with participation from students and local residents. Statistical tests revealed the success of this intervention in improving participants' understanding of medicinal plants, with an average pre-test score of 8.4762 increasing to 8.6190 in the post-test. More than 50 percent of participants scored ≥80 in the post-test. The success of this outreach and planting activity provides a strong foundation for further increasing public awareness of the use of medicinal plants as complementary treatments for various illnesses.

Factors Influencing Informal Credit Access and Utilization among Smallholder Farmers: Insights from Mountainous Regions of Pakistan

Access to credit plays an important role in the adoption of modern agricultural practices, such as better seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers, as well as in the sustainable utilization of land by smallholder farmers. This study explores the dynamics of smallholders’ access to and utilization of informal credit to manage local farming systems. The data were collected from rural households in the Dir Kohistan mountainous region of Pakistan in 2021. A bivariate probit model was employed to analyze the data from 300 randomly selected farming households. Our findings indicate that a significant proportion of respondents (70%) reported having access to informal credit, with 65% actively utilizing credit to bolster the economic viability of their farms. This study reveals various strategies that farmers employ in response to credit constraints. The majority of farmers (69%) prioritize meeting their own farm/household needs. Social networks, particularly friends, emerge as key sources of informal credit (58.1%). The results of the bivariate probit regression analysis identify positive relationships with fellow farmers and neighbors/relatives, along with a lower perceived risk, as the most significant factors influencing access to and utilization of informal credit. Therefore, our study recommends the promotion of relationships and linkages among farmers through facilitated networking events, introducing risk mitigation measures and promoting financial literacy programs to empower smallholder capacities on the credit market. Policymakers are urged to recognize the role of social relationships and consider policies that promote community credit practices for the overall financial well-being of farmers, especially in more isolated mountain areas.

Overview of Governance and Rampant Corruption in Land Administration in Bangladesh

This study focuses on the governance and corruption in the land management system of Bangladesh and the effect of these factors on the tenure security of land and the country’s economic growth. This study used a quantitative research design. The research outcomes show that corruption is systematic in all levels of land management, thus eroding the security of tenure, and worsening social inequalities. The new governance reforms have also been implemented to curb corruption; however, these changes’ impact has been rather poor. In light of the findings of the study, there is a well-established need for systematic reform to improve the situation in Bangladesh through digitization of land records, better transparency, and higher accountability in the land administration sector. The investigation presented in this research adds to the discussion of governance and development and offers practical policy suggestions that relate to fighting corruption and enhancing the efficient utilization of Bangladeshi land.

Exploring the dynamics and future projections of land use land cover changes by exploiting geospatial techniques; A case study of the Kabul River Basin

Global land cover change has caused significant environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. It affects ecosystem functions, livelihoods, and climate variation and has drawn substantial attention in recent decades. In the Kabul River Basin (KRB), there are limited studies on the historical Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) pattern, transition, intensity and future perspective. Therefore, this study aims to investigate long-term LULC changes and major drivers of LULC in the KRB over the past thirty years (1990–2020) and then to project the future LULC pattern for the years 2030, 2040 and 2050. Landsat Imageries of (1990–2020) were used as input data by utilizing the Random Forest Classifier algorithm (RF) in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) to classify the LULC. The LULC was then projected for the future, using the Cellular Automata Markov Chain Model (CA-MCM). The results demonstrated drastic LULC changes, controlled primarily by urbanization and agriculture expansion, which expanded from 467 Km2 (0.7 %) to 2312 km2 (3.4 %) and 6528 km2 (9.6 %) to 10812 (15.9 %), between 1990 and 2020. In contrast, bare land decreased from 70606 km2 (82.1 %) to 48212 km2 (70.9 %) between 1990 and 2020. In addition, the study depicts that the expansion in built-up and vegetation areas in the KRB during the study period were at the utilization of bare land. Future LULC predictions indicated that between 2020 and 2050, bare land would trend downward from 48212 km2 (70.9 %) to 46172 km2 (67.9 %), while vegetation and built-up areas would trend upward from 2312 km2 (3.4 %) to 3640 km2 (5.3 %), 10812 km2 (15.9 %) to 11622 km2 (17.1 %), and water bodies and snowcover would slightly vary from 1.2 % to 0.9 % and 7.9 %–9.0 %. In addition, the results of LULC dynamics reveal a significant strong positive correlation between population and built, as well as population and vegetation. Conversely, there is a strong negative correlation between population and bare land. Our results provide precise insights on LULC patterns and trends in the KRB, which could be employed to design a sustainable framework for land use and ecosystem protection.