Spatio-temporal evolution of agricultural land use change drivers: A case study from Chalous region, Iran

摘要: Abstract Increasing global population put tremendous pressure on limited land resources and has led to changes in use. Changing use patterns are of great importance environmental studies critical for management decision-making. Thus, it is important understand the relationship between pattern use/cover change its drivers a region initiate specific planning decisions. The objective this study was quantify from case area Chalous, Iran identify geophysical characteristics (e.g., slope, elevation soil) socio-economic density, tourist industry, accessibility price) elements changes. This will help assess impact trends changing elsewhere with similar conditions. In study, multi-temporal satellite images, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), semi-structured interviews were used evaluate spatio-temporal dynamics over 20-year period (1996–2016). Supervised classification based maximum likelihood algorithm obtain classes an overall accuracy 87%, 92% 93.50%, kappa coefficients 82.87%, 88.66% 89.98% 1996, 2006 2016, respectively. Change detection analysis also showed that agricultural reduced by 11.09% built up areas increased 15.89% 20 years. comprehensive evaluation driving forces local farmers indicated economic factor industry mainly contributed lands built-up areas. addition, lack support government ministry these conversions. investigation complexity socio-ecological relationships interaction necessary sustainable development policy