The use of remote sensing images, other spatial technologies, and fieldwork to identify and measure the location, nature, rate, extent and consequences of land cover change Flashcards
Spatial modelling
A methodology or set of analytical procedures used to derive information about present and future spatial relationships between geographic phenomena
Why is spatial modelling important for land cover change?
Future prediction based on past and present trends and practices is essential to understand the potential impacts on ecological processes and human activites
Account for spatial modelling in relation to land cover change
Spatial modelling is used to project changes in land cover and incorporates both environmental and socioeconomical variables. Environmental variables accounts for the natural ecological processes occurring within biomes at the local scale, together with the wider earth systems/cycles and climate systems at the global scale. Socioeconomic variables take into account factors such as population growth and density at the local scale, and the influences of globalisation and economic interdependence at the global scale.
Scenario-based projections
Scenario-based projections attempt to take into account many processes and factor driving land cover change. They may produce a number of outcomes/scenarios based on variables considered. The predicted scenarios may then be assigned a value, indicating the likelihood or certainty of each occurring over time. Accompanying this data will be a description of likely future developments and interactions.
Land use change models
Land use change models are often based on data gathered from remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Snapshots of current and past land uses plus vegetation cover age and change can be combined with other environmental and socioeconmical factors.
