Land-Use Structure Dynamics Analysis Using the Earth Remote Sensing Data

Author(s):  A.O. Avvakumova, Institute of Environmental Sciences Kazan Federal University , Kazan , Russia, avvakumova_alina@mail.ru

Issue:  Volume 42, № 2

Rubric:  Earth sciences

Annotation:  The article presents the results of remote sensing data interpretation for several key areas on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan, selected for further analysis of soil erosion dynamics. The initial data were the different time images taken by satellites Landsat 5 and Landsat 8, obtained from a free resource. The study of the change of land use structure was carried out within the framework of works on assessing the dynamics of soil erosion using GIS technologies for a territory with intensive agricultural pressure. Seven key areas that can characterize the main landscape features of the Republic of Tatarstan were selected. As a result of interpretation and digitization of different time images, areas of settlements, meadows, forests and arable land were identified. According to the results of the study, there is a decrease in arable land area in comparison with the period of the 1980s. Soil erosion processes are rapidly developing on the agricultural territories. The development of the ravines and gullies can also be noted. These processes can be the main reasons of the land use structure changing. The decrease of cultivated land area is mainly due to the conversion of arable land to the category of meadows, hayfields and pastures, and, to a lesser extent, due to overgrowing by forests.

Keywords:  soil map, soil erosion, remote sensing data, Tatarstan.

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