Detection of Land Cover Change Using Landsat Imagery in Elkhuwei Area, Western Kordofan State

Abstract

This study was conducted in Elkhuwei Area, West Kordofan State – Sudan. The objective of the study was to detect land cover change in Elkhuowei area for the period (2000-2016) by using Landsat satellites imagery. The study methods based firstly by clustering, the area into five strata using unsupervised classification ISODATA of ERDAS Imagine for the Landsat8, 2016 and ETM 2000. Then the area and number of sample plots were been identified. After that a field visit conducted to obtain the information about vegetation cover and verified classes by using GPS. The two imageries then processed and classified into five classes and produced the change detection map. Also questionnaire has been designed for collecting the socio economic data, total numbers of 86 respondents were selected to obtain information about vegetation cover in the past and current, SPSS were used to analyze socio-economic data. The results showed that the Forest cover area decrease from 86622.4 hectare in 2000 to 77573.2 hectare in 2016. Bare land area has increased from 40077 hectare in 2000 to the 62463. 2 hectare in 2016. Burned area with scatter trees was increased from 2791.6 hectare in 2000 to the 39838.5 hectare in 2016. Grasses with scattered shrubs were 90651.1 hectare in 2000 while it decreases to 71966.4 hectare in 2016. grasses with scattered trees and shrubs were 73327 hectare in 2000 while it showed 75177.6 ha in 2016 . Therefore, the study recommended that the use of Landsat imagery was effective in such cases.