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LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE RESPONSES TO THE LAND COVER DYNAMICS IN WESTERN GHATS
(PDF)
T V Ramachandra, Srijith A H and Bharath S
Energy and Wetlands Research Group,
Centre for Ecological Sciences,
Indian Institute of Science - 560012
7. Conclusion
Western Ghats (WG) is a unique biodiversity hotspot supporting humankind with abundant resources. The current study has investigated LU changes and the rate of change of WG during 2001-2016. The temporal LST quantification helped to understand the role of biophysical variables changes through LU impact temperature. LU analysis highlighted large scale conversion of natural forests with commercial plantations, agricultural farms, settlements etc. Around 2.5% of natural forest has been lost from 2001 and 2016. The study revealed a large scale conversion of natural forest into plantation in Kerala with the area under plantation higher than area under forest. A similar trend has been observed in Goa post 2008 with forests being cleared for commercial plantations. A stable forest cover is found in many parts of Karnataka with a trend in rise of commercial plantation. Even though reports state there is rise in forest cover of Tamil Nadu, the study reveals this has been attributed to rise in plantations. Even though the states Gujarat and Maharashtra have lesser area under closed forest, a large scale conversion of land to commercial plantation for timber, paper, dying industry etc. is taking place. The LST at temporal scale revealed changes in micro climate of WG due to deforestation and increase in built up and agricultural area which revealed a rise in mean surface temperature. The relationship of LU change with LST has been modelled using multiple regression methods. The current analysis might help decision makers and planners.
ANNEXURE
(a) Error Matrix:
The accuracy of the classified map has been verified through computation of error matrix and calculation of the coefficient of kappa. The value of coefficient of kappa for the classified maps has been greater than 0.77 for all the regions. As the study involved a large number of land use maps being prepared, the error matrix depicting 2 regions has been put up here.
(b) Area under different LU class:
The area under different land use class and the change in different periods of study is depicted in Fig. A1
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