ABSTRACT
The study conducted in Jammu District, India, investigates land use and land cover (LULC) transformations over the past three decades using satellite data and remote sensing techniques. Analyzing data from 1990 to 2020, significant changes were observed. Agricultural land expanded by 157.76 km2 (6.71%), barren land by 151.69 km2 (6.45%), and settlements by 96.97 km2 (4.12%). However, vegetation decreased by 389.77 km2 (16.57%), while water bodies experienced minimal changes. Land Surface Temperature (LST) analysis, utilizing MODIS data (2000-2020), revealed warming trends, with temperatures ranging from 15.92°C to 42.77°C in 2010 and 14.04°C to 37.01°C in 2020. Notably, NDVI values peaked in 2020 (0.759) and were lowest in 1990 (−0.243), indicating healthier vegetation and lower surface temperatures. This inverse correlation highlights NDVI's potential as an indicator for assessing vegetation health and its impact on local temperature conditions. Man-Kendall Z statistics indicated negative trends for Tmax and Tmin, while rainfall data showed significant positive trend. Population growth, urbanization, climate change and agricultural intensification emerged as principal drivers of the LULC changes in the region. This study underscores the importance of geospatial tools in monitoring LULC changes, providing valuable insights for policymakers and planners to formulate sustainable land use planning and management strategies.
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for freely providing the satellite data used in this study.
Authors’ contributions
Every author has contributed to the successful compilation of this study. HS, RA, SS and SM: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Writing–original draft, Formal analysis. HS, SS and SM: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing–review & editing. HS and RA: Writing–review, editing, Supervision. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The data that supports the findings of this study are available within the article.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Haadiya Saleem
Ms. Haadiya Saleem holds a diploma and a B.Tech in Civil Engineering, currently pursuing a Master's in Geoinformatics at Indira Gandhi National Open University. Her research focuses on remote sensing and GIS applications in earth surface processes. She is keen on learning advanced methods to solve real-world problems, showcasing her commitment to innovation and continuous growth.
Rayees Ahmed
Rayees Ahmed, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Kashmir's Department of Geography and Disaster Management, boasts an impressive academic record. He holds postgraduate degrees and has cleared both the National Eligibility Test (NET) and State Eligibility Test (SET), showcasing his commitment to academic excellence. His contributions to academia include roles as Associate Editor for Earth Systems and Environment Journal, Editorial Board Member for Earth Science Informatics Journal, and Guest Editor for Frontiers in Water. Rayees serves as a reviewer for over 20 national and international journals. His research prowess is evidenced by numerous publications in high-impact journals and authored book chapters. Rayees Ahmed's achievements, including receiving a Travel award from AAG, and over 30 publications, solidify his prominent position in the academic and research community Rayees has been recognized with awards like the Best Presentation Award at the National Symposium on “Earthquake, Landslide, and Glacial Hazards” and the 7th Annual Convention on “Advances in Earthquake Science.” His active involvement in international and national organizations like AAG, EGU, and IPRN highlights his dedication to advancing geography, disaster management, and climate science.
Shaista Mushtaq
Shaista Mushtaq, presently serving as a Junior Research Fellow at the Department of Geography & Disaster Management, University of Kashmir, India, possesses a postgraduate degree, exemplifying her dedication to academic excellence. Additionally, she has qualified the NET JRF in Geography, indicating her proficiency in the field. Shaista is highly motivated to tackle real-world problems through her research endeavors.
Shahid Saleem
Mr. Shahid Saleem, currently a Junior Research Fellow at the Department of Geography & Disaster Management, University of Kashmir, India, holds a postgraduate degree, demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence. He has established an impressive academic profile. His research prowess is evident through multiple publications in high-impact journals and authored book chapters. His achievements underscore his prominent position in the academic and research community.
Mudigandla Rajesh
Mudigandla Rajesh is a Ph.D. scholar in the Civil Engineering Department at Andhra University. His research focuses on Hydrological modeling in IB Watershed. With expertise in Python, R, and Hydrological modeling, Mr. Rajesh has published 5 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, showcasing his proficiency and contribution to the field.