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Multi-Criteria Assessment of Land Cover Dynamic Changes in Halgurd Sakran National Park (HSNP), Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Author

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  • Rahel Hamad

    (Centre for Landscape and Climate Research (CLCR), Department of Geography, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
    Faculty of Science, Petroleum Geosciences Department, Soran University, Soran 44001, Iraq
    Centre for Natural Resources Research (CNRR), Soran University, Delyzian Road, Soran 44008, Iraq)

  • Heiko Balzter

    (Centre for Landscape and Climate Research (CLCR), Department of Geography, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
    National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK)

  • Kamal Kolo

    (Faculty of Science, Petroleum Geosciences Department, Soran University, Soran 44001, Iraq
    Centre for Natural Resources Research (CNRR), Soran University, Delyzian Road, Soran 44008, Iraq)

Abstract

Halgurd Sakran National Park (HSNP) is Iraq’s first designated national park, located in the Kurdistan Region, which has suffered multiple armed conflicts over the past decades. This study assesses how vegetation dynamics have affected the landscape structure and composition of the core zone of the park over the last 31 years. Spatio-temporal changes in land cover were mapped for three points in time using remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and landscape metrics. Land cover changes were mapped using random forest classifications of satellite images from Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+, and Landsat 8 LDCM acquired in 1984, 1998, and 2015. Five landscape pattern metrics were analysed at class and landscape levels in order to quantify landscape patterns arising from land use and land cover (LULC) change in HSNP using FRAGSTATS 4.2. These landscape pattern metrics were patch metrics, area metrics, shape metrics interspersion/juxtaposition and contagion metrics and diversity metrics. Significant changes in cultivated areas after 1991 were observed, which indicate the role of anthropogenic activities in land cover change. Areas of bare surface and forest lands declined and became more fragmented in 1984 and 1998 while, at the same time, cultivated areas increased, with a continuing fragmentation of pasture land. Internal migration of people was one of the major drivers of LULC change. The results reveal that significant LULC changes in terms of composition and spatial structure over the 31-year period have occurred in the designated protected area. Landscape metrics were able to assess the trend of spatial patchiness over the studied period. A discussion of the significance of changes in land use systems for understanding the causes and consequences of change is provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Rahel Hamad & Heiko Balzter & Kamal Kolo, 2017. "Multi-Criteria Assessment of Land Cover Dynamic Changes in Halgurd Sakran National Park (HSNP), Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Using Remote Sensing and GIS," Land, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:6:y:2017:i:1:p:18-:d:92369
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Eric de Noronha Vaz & Teresa de Noronha & Peter Nijkamp, 2013. "An Exploratory Landscape Metrics Approach to Agricultural Changes: Applications of Spatial Economic Consequences for the Algarve, Portugal," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 13-140/VIII, Tinbergen Institute.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiang Feng & Qian Peng & Yunnan Chen & Weiyue Li, 2022. "A Case Study of the Snow Leopard in Sanjiangyuan National Park Boundaries regarding Park Boundary Divergence," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Rahel Hamad & Heiko Balzter & Kamal Kolo, 2018. "Predicting Land Use/Land Cover Changes Using a CA-Markov Model under Two Different Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Rahel Hamad & Kamal Kolo & Heiko Balzter, 2018. "Post-War Land Cover Changes and Fragmentation in Halgurd Sakran National Park (HSNP), Kurdistan Region of Iraq," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-17, March.
    4. Lijun Mao & Mingshi Li & Wenjuan Shen, 2020. "Remote Sensing Applications for Monitoring Terrestrial Protected Areas: Progress in the Last Decade," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-27, June.
    5. Bo Mu & Guohang Tian & Gengyu Xin & Miao Hu & Panpan Yang & Yiwen Wang & Hao Xie & Audrey L. Mayer & Yali Zhang, 2021. "Measuring Dynamic Changes in the Spatial Pattern and Connectivity of Surface Waters Based on Landscape and Graph Metrics: A Case Study of Henan Province in Central China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-21, May.
    6. Bhagawat Rimal & Lifu Zhang & Nigel Stork & Sean Sloan & Sushila Rijal, 2018. "Urban Expansion Occurred at the Expense of Agricultural Lands in the Tarai Region of Nepal from 1989 to 2016," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, April.
    7. Rahel Hamad & Kamal Kolo & Heiko Balzter, 2018. "Land Cover Changes Induced by Demining Operations in Halgurd-Sakran National Park in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, July.

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