06. Geospatial approach in assessing habitat fragmentation associated with changes of land use: A case study in Dak Nong UNESCO global geopark, Viet Nam

Abstract

Habitat fragmentation, heterogeneity and connectivity at both class-level and landscape-level will provide important information in the context of environmental management and biodiversity conservation. On the other hand, landscape metrics based on land cover/land use information allow the specification of landscape pattern and variability of boundaries governed by fragmentation dynamics. This study, analyzed habitat fragmentation for landscape connectivity in the Dak Nong UNESCO global geopark over a 20-year period (2003 - 2023) by using morphological measurement and selected seven landscape metrics (LPI, PAFRAC, DCAD, TECI, LSI and SHDI) to quantify the change of landscape patterns. The results show that the increase of built - up areas as well as the degree of landscape diversity and fragmentation in the geopark area contributes to effective service in decision - making in conservation planning and spatial organization and economic development.