Evaluation of Driving Forces of Land Use and Land Cover Change in New England Area by a Mixed Method

摘要: Understanding the driving forces of land use/cover change (LUCC) is a requisite to mitigate and manage effects consequences LUCC. This study aims analyze drivers LUCC in New England, USA. It combines meta-study, GIS, machine learning identify important factors area. Firstly, we conducted meta-study research on England area specifically focused analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that studies were highly related with many other topics, population economic most mentioned this for past several decades relatively well analyzed. However, main recent lacking. Then, determinants years quantitatively assessed using random forests (RF) model along geospatial data processing. Two planning regions Connecticut one region Massachusetts selected serve as case areas. Investigated variables included environmental biophysical variables, location measures infrastructure existing use, political demographic social variables. These examined their relations processes. Their importance was ranked by RF method. results show both consistency inconsistency between We found mixed method can enhance our understanding improve selection quality modeling With more solid information, better management advices sustainable development may also be provided.