Using Landsat Satellite Imagery to Determine Land Use/Land Cover Changes in Medimurje County, Croatia

This study evaluates Land Use and Land Cover (LU/LC) changes in Medimurje Country, Croatia, from 1978-1992,1992-2007 and 1978-2007 using Landsat satellite images. Spatial dynamics of LU/LC changes were quantified using three Landsat satellite images: MSS, TM and ETM+. Three series of the LU/LC maps of 1978, 1992 and 2007 were produced. Based on the Anderson classification system, LU/LC are classified as: water bodies, forest land, barren land, agricultural land and urban built-up land. Error matrices were used to assess classification accuracy. Significant buildings construction, construction of the reservoir lakes on the Drava River and construction of a highway were major drives of LU/ LC changes in Medimurje County over the study period. This study showed a continuous decrease in agricultural lands in Medimurje County. Consequently, the urban built-up area and the water area increased.