UTILIZING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS TECHNIQUE TO ASSESS THE SPATIOTEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF LAND COVER AND LAND USE CHANGES OF GAZIPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Land plays a vital role in exchanging energy and water between the land surface and atmosphere. Land ecosystems and biodiversity are vulnerable to ongoing climate change and weather extremes to different extents. Sustainable land management can reduce the negative impacts of multiple stressors, including climate change, on ecosystems and societies. There is a striking difference between the Land Cover/Land Use (LCLU) in Bangladesh. Furthermore, human and environmental stressors exacerbated by rapid urbanization and uncoordinated agricultural practices negatively influence water availability, quality, and ecosystem functions. Rapid alteration of LCLU has adverse effects on human and natural environments.

Gazipur District (1741.53 km2) is located between 23°53' to 24°21' north latitudes and 90°09' to 92°39' east longitudes. Many industries have been set up in the area over the last three decades, which has brought in significant changes in land-use patterns. This work attempts to identify the spatiotemporal dynamics of LULC change impacts on local and regional climate conditions, taking into account terrestrial and atmospheric interactions. Changes were detected for different time steps (2000 to 2020) using remote sensing, GIS, and water quality variations.

Recently there has been an increase in unplanned urbanization and industrialization in the area at the expense of crop, pastureland, forestland, and natural grassland. There is a high rate of land conversion. Changes contributed to soil degradation and subsequent soil erosion have become a serious environmental issue. As most industries rely on groundwater, abstraction has increased manifold, resulting in declining groundwater levels. The area has a complex contamination situation due to rapid industrialization and subsequent urbanization. The observed changes are exemplified by increased settlements and gradual encroachment of sensitive ecosystems, often known to pose threat to the existing one.

Keywords: GIS, Land Cover/Land Use, Water Quality and Ecosystem