Land Use-Land Cover

In an urban environment natural and human-induced environmental changes are of concern today because of deterioration of environment and human health. The study of land use/land cover (LU/LC) changes is very important to have proper planning and exploitation of natural resources and their management. Land use/ land cover are two separate terminologies which are often used interchangeably. In general, the term land cover represents the observed (bio)-physical cover on the Earth’s surface. It includes vegetation and man-made features as well as bare rock, bare soil, and inland water surfaces. While land use refers to the way in which land has been used by humans and their habitat, usually with the accent on the functional role of land for economic activities. Land use/land cover data sets are primary inputs for environmental modelling and monitoring, natural resources management, policy-making, carbon cycle studies, hydrology and global climate change analysis.

Various types of types of land use are as follows:

• Recreational - fun, non-essentials like parks.
• Commercial - businesses and factories.
• Residential - housing.
• Agricultural - farmland.
• Transport - roads, railways, and airports.

Remote sensing is becoming an important tool for developing and understanding the global and physical processes affecting the earth. Recent development in the application of satellite data is to take advantage of increasing amounts of geographical data available in conjunction with GIS to assist in interpretation. GIS is an integrated system of computer hardware and software capable of capturing, storing, retrieving, manipulating, analysing, and displaying geographically referenced (spatial) information for the purpose of aiding development-oriented management and decision-making processes. Various types of remote sensing images are:

• Visible imagery: Visible satellite pictures can only be viewed only during the day, since light is reflected from the clouds.
• Infrared imagery: Infrared satellite pictures are visible in both day and night and use the concept of heat radiation.
• Water vapor imagery: Water vapor satellite pictures indicate how much moisture is present in the upper atmosphere 

Land use/land cover (LULC) information is very crucial for the selection, planning and implementation of management strategies to meet the increasing demands for basic needs and welfare of the ever growing population.

Hence, proper knowledge and application of LU/LC is necessary for implementation of  various developments, planning, and land use schemes for meeting up the increasing demands of basic human needs.

Ms. Snehlata
Assistant Professor
Department of Information Technology