APPLICATION OF GIS IN ANALYZING LAND USE INTENSITY CHANGES IN LONG AN PROVINCE

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze changes of land use intensity from 2010 to 2015 in Long An province using GIS. First, two maps of land use status in 2010 and 2015 were collected. Then data processing including format conversion, geometry and attribute correction was done. Finally, land use change during 2010 - 2015 in terms of space, state, speed, and intensity of change was analyzed. The results show that the area of rice, forestry, and specialized water surface decreased, while the area for non-rice agriculture, aquaculture, residential and specialized use increased. The total disturbed land area in this period was 116,333.07 ha, corresponding to the rate of 25.93%. The rate of land use change was fast with an estimated value of 53.10% per year, which means that over 50% of the province's area changes land use every year. The rate of change in land use intensity was 2.57, reflecting that the agricultural land group, although accounting for most of the province's area (over 81%), was converting to non-agricultural land group due to economic restructuring. The above findings provide a short-term scientific perspective on land use changes so that local management agencies can promptly intervene and adjust land use appropriately.