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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #215683
Title: Use of Satellite Data to Study the Impact of Land-Cover/Land-Use Change in Madison County Alabama.

Author
item Ayala-Silva, Tomas
item Gordon, Garry
item Heath, Robert

Submitted to: American Journal of Applied Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/7/2008
Publication Date: 1/1/2009
Citation: Ayala Silva, T., Gordon, G.G., Heath, R.R. 2008. Use of Satellite Data to Study the Impact of Land-Cover/Land-Use Change in Madison County Alabama.. American Journal of Applied Sciences 6(4):688-692.

Interpretive Summary: Remote sensing was used to examine and study land-use/land-cover use changes, impact on the environment of Madison County Alabama. This study area was selected because it is one of the fastest emergent areas in the state of Alabama. The study used data sets obtained from several sources. Remote sensing images, land-use/land-cover maps, hydrology, and transportation data. The remote sensing images were LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) images acquired from April 1987 and May 1997. The data was processed and analyzed using MAP-X/RS and Geomatica 9.0. Six classes or categories of land-use/land-cover were analyzed to determine changes and the relationship to suburban sprawl. Analysis of the images for 1987 and 1997 showed an increased in the urbanization development, and a decrease in vegetation and agricultural land. No significant changes were observed for the water resources. The results from this study may well be helpful to state/county planners, researchers, and policy makers.

Technical Abstract: Remote sensing was used to analyze and study land-use/land-cover use changes impact on the environment of Madison County Alabama. This study area was selected because it is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of Alabama. The study used data sets obtained from several sources. Remote sensing images, land-use/land-cover use maps, hydrology, and transportation data. The remote sensing images were LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) images acquired during April 1987 and May 1997. The data was processed and analyzed using MAP-X/RS and Geomatica9.0. Six classes or categories of land-use/land-cover were analyzed to determine changes and their relationship to suburban sprawl. Analysis of the images for 1987 and 1997 showed an increased in the urbanization development, and a decrease in vegetation and agricultural land. No significant changes were observed for the water resources. The results from this study could be beneficial to state/county planners, researchers, and policy makers.