Application of Landscape Ecology Measures in Analysis and Quantification of Land Cover in Forest Ecosystems (Study Area: Dadabad Sub-Basin, Khorramabad City)Abstract

The inconsistency of uses is one of the most important threats to forest ecosystems, especially to their biodiversity. The goal of this research was to assess landscape degradation in Dadabad area. For this purpose, landscape indicators were calculated by using a land use/cover map of Dadabad area of Khorramabad city. For land use/cover mapping, Landsat satellite image (1988, 2003 and 2018) was firstly pre-processed, and then, Maximum Likelihood classification approach was undertaken done to categorize the image into different land use/cover categories. The results showed that the forest had the highest rate of land use conversion. The forest area in the study, which is considered as its natural vegetation, has decreased from 36.28% (5429.91 ha) in 1988 to 32.87% (491849.95 ha) in 1397. According to the NP index, the increase in agricultural land use during the first to third periods of the study is extremely rapid and shows a 1.5 fold increase. The findings indicate that most of the destruction and land use changes has occurred in forest. Access to the national forests and rangeland and on the other hand and proximity to the Khoramrood river, has led to the development of non-productive agriculture and subsequently with the reduction of production capacity in these lands, bare soil will increase over the years. Such changes is often the result of human intervention, in addition to the negative effects on the environment, will increase the damage from natural disasters. Hence, the authors emphasize the need for the planning and implementation of land regeneration plans and protection of the ecosystem of the region.