Spatio-temporal ecological changes around wetland using multispectral satellite imagery in AJK, Pakistan

Classification of land cover using the emerging technology of remote sensing has played indispensable role in evaluation and effective management of dams particularly for ecosystem maintenance. The present study was conducted around the unprotected area of Mangla to analyze the ecological changes over time and space. Spatio-temporal variation was analyzed by using multispectral Landsat satellite imageries of two decades. Supervised classification approach, viz. maximum likelihood algorithm, was employed to delineate changes by using ERDAS Imagine software followed up with a delineation of four, i.e., water body, built-up area, vegetation and barren area. Maps of change detection for different classes were generated by using ArcGIS 10.2. Results of spatial and temporal changes revealed remarkable increase in built-up area, while reduction in water body, vegetation and barren area was observed from 1992 to 2013. Significant transformation was recorded in built-up area with respect to others. Major shifts detected in class of vegetation and barren area into built-up class. This expansion in built-up area posed threat to biodiversity and water bodies. Presented work on spatial and temporal change analysis around unprotected wetland will be helpful in decision making for further land development and dam extension project.