Land use, land cover changes and coastal lagoon surface reduction associated with urban growth in northwest Mexico

摘要: Coastal land use and cover changes, emphasizing the alterations of coastal lagoons, were assessed in northwest Mexico using satellite imagery processing. Supervised classifications a Landsat series (1973–1997) coefficients Kappa (K) Tau (τ), used to assess area verify accuracy classification six informational classes (urban area, aquatic systems, mangrove, agriculture, natural vegetation, aquaculture). Pixel-by-pixel change detection among dates was evaluated Index Agreement (KIA). Besides overall estimation systems class, variations three lagoons present study analyzed individually. Measures agreement between reference data indicate that for ranked from moderate high (K = 0.76 ± 0.07; τ 0.77 0.06). From 1973 1997 urban has doubled, growing north northeast, extending mainly over vegetation agricultural land. La Escopama El Sabalo, two studied, reduced their size less than half estimated 1973, but main estuarine system Estero de Urias - Infiernillo, maintained its without noticeable changes. However, surrounding landscape Infiernillo is changing agriculture use. Consequently, limit as much possible changes causes, some management measures must be considered design development plans recover preserve areas, on broad scale rather local spatial scale.