Geospatial Land Use Land Cover changes across Pakistan- A review

Abstract

Change is an inevitable process in nature. The face of land is constantly changing due to natural and anthropogenic activities.  Land use Land cover changes occur across Pakistan that has been studied in this paper with the context of a review of geospatial datasets with difference in time spans of a minimum of 8 years and a maximum of 47 years. A literature survey was done to conclude various studies of different sites in Pakistan, including major cities, coastal areas, river basins, deforestation, reforestation, and areas of agricultural importance. Results show that there is continuous increase in the built-up structure of all studied sites, the receding status of agricultural areas in Multan, deforestation of mangroves in Frontal Karachi coast and Thatta district, deforestation of juniper in Ziarat, deforestation in Swat, Muzaffarabad, Jhelum and Islamabad, reforestation of chilghoza in Sherani district occur within studied time span. Agriculture status improved in Jhelum, Islamabad, Malir basin and district Thatta. This paper will provide particular enlightenment on the regional situation of LULC changes across Pakistan.