Analyzing the trend of deforestation using Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) models and its effect on land surface temperature (LST) and spectral indices (study area: Talesh forest area)

Earth surface temperature provides important information on the role of land use and land cover on energy balance processes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the LST patterns due to changes in land use (LULC). The studied area is located in Talesh region with an area of 300.6 square kilometers. For this purpose, Landsat images were downloaded in dry and wet seasons from 1365 to 1401. Four user classes were identified by maximum likelihood classification (MLC) and support vector machine (SVM) in 36-year intervals. The Kappa coefficient values for the SVM model were equal to 0.7802 and for the MLC model it was equal to 0.5328. NDVI, NDSI, and NDWI spectral indices were calculated for vegetation, barren soil, and water and were compared with LST in the above years. Changes in land use during the years 1365 to 1401 were an important factor in changes in the temperature of the earth's surface, which averaged from 13.7 degrees Celsius to 39.5 degrees Celsius in the wet season and -0.37 to 41.07 degrees Celsius in the dry season has been variable. Water areas and vegetation have the lowest and barren soil have the highest LST values. The highest negative correlation of -0.74 belongs to the NDVI index in 1365 and the highest positive correlation of 0.79 belongs to the NDSI index in 1365. The area of the forest area has decreased by 20.3% and agricultural land has increased by 217% in 36 years. Barren lands have changed the most and decreased from 2.68 square kilometers to 12 square kilometers. In general, LST has increased due to the increase of human activities such as the expansion of agricultural land and deforestation in the studied period.