Spatio-temporal analysis of land use and land cover changes in a wetland ecosystem of Bangladesh using a machine-learning approach

This study investigates quantifiable and explicable changes in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) within the context of a freshwater wetland, Hakaluki Haor, in Bangladesh. The haor is a vital RAMSAR site and Ecologically Critical Area (ECA), which needs to be monitored to investigate LULC change patterns for future management interventions. Leveraging Landsat satellite data, the Google Earth Engine Database, CART algorithm, ArcGIS 10.8 and the R programming language, this study analyses LULC dynamics from 2000 to 2023. It focuses explicitly on seasonal transitions between the rainy and dry seasons, unveiling substantial transformations in cumulative LULC change patterns over the study period. Noteworthy changes include an overall reduction (similar to 51%) in Water Bodies. Concurrently, there is a significant increase (similar to 353%) in Settlement areas. Moreover, vegetation substantially declines (71%), while Crop Land demonstrates varying coverage. These identified changes underscore the dynamic nature of LULC alterations and their potential implications for the environmental, hydrological, and agricultural aspects within the Hakaluki Haor region. The outcomes of this study aim to provide valuable insights to policymakers for formulating appropriate land-use strategies in the area.