Tracing the Land Use Changes in Ishurdi and Bheramara Upazila, Bangladesh: Application of Google Earth Engine

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to observe the land use and land cover changes in the emerging zone of Bangladesh. Therefore, this research utilizes the Ishurdi and Bheramara upazilas, renowned for the industrial agglomerated area in Bangladesh. The study utilized Google Earth Engine to examine land use and land cover patterns in the region from 1990 to 2021, focusing on 5-year intervals.. We used Landsat imagery to create a land use category and employed a random forest classifier for classification. The analysis entailed utilizing Markov Cellular Automaton Model analysis, while anticipated changes were projected using TerrSet and ArcGIS software tools. The study area experienced changes in vegetation and built-up areas from 1990 to 2021, and obviously in 2041, with a notable decrease in vegetation and an increase in developed areas. The projected trend estimates a significant growth of 77.97% in developed areas between 2022 and 2041. Furthermore, river erosion will also drive the future land use scenario in 2041. Additionally, the overall accuracy exceeds an impressive level of reliability at 86.84%. This study can help local government officials, developers, and other organizations make informed decisions about land use and cover policies for resource management, sustainable development, and public planning.