Land cover change detection of Chahar Mahal Bakhtiari province using landscape metrics (1994-2015)

Due to the importance of accessibility to updated and timely information regarding land cover changes, it is necessary for researchers and managers to assess such provincial level changes to help the planning process and prevent the damages caused in various regions. To this end, the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province land cover changes from 2015-1994 were developed in six main classes using the hybrid method. Then land cover changes were determined by applying “after-classification comparison” and “landscape metric”. Therefore, MPS, LPI, NP and PLAND metrics were calculated at the class level, and SHDI, LPI, CONTAG SPILIT INDEX metrics were calculated to quantify the landscape patterns at the landscape level. Finally, for each land use type, the destruction rates and the human destruction index were calculated separately. The results indicated a sharp decline of %36.67 in pastures and 6.42% in the forests areas, as well as an increase 39.32% in the barren lands. In such a manner, the landscape is more fragmented, disordered (or unsystematic) and discontinuous plus it has become more diverse for the studied time period coverage. So, if the current trend continues, the a sharp decrease in the ecosystem services and functions is likely to occur.