Spatio temporal land use and land cover changes in a peri urban protected area of Kamrup Metropolitan District, Assam, India using geospatial techniques

Abstract

Protection from human- induced pressures is vital to the survival of peri-urban protected areas, particularly in fast-growing urban areas. This research focuses on land use and land cover change in the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary located in peri-urban region of Guwahati city in Kamrup Metropolitan district, Assam, India over 30 years period (1995–2025). Multi-temporal Landsat imagery was classified using Random Forest analysis with the help of NDVI, NDWI, NDBI, and delineated seven LULC categories dense forest, moderately dense forest, open forest, agriculture, built-up, barren land, and water bodies, with an overall Accuracy 81.57% and Kappa coefficient of 0.78. Landscape metrics such as Shannon’s Diversity Index, Patch Count, Edge Length were calculated and integrated with the Thiel-Sen’s slope calculation and the Mann–Kendall to determine fragmentation and longer-term trend analysis. The results showed a Net change in Dense Forest decreased by 51.7% (− 4.28 sq km), and Water Bodies by 73.5% (− 0.19 sq km), area increased in Built Up by 37.6% (+ 2.95 sq km), Agriculture by + 6.8% (+ 0.50 sq km) and Barren land by 7.3% (+ 0.15 sq km), as well as a type of secondary succession within Moderately Dense Forest by 35.5% (+ 6.11 sq km). This study is distinctive by the integration of Random forest classification, landscape fragmentation metrics and non-parametric trend analysis to weigh long term ecosystem vulnerability within peri-urban protected areas. Additionally, by connecting ecological monitoring and Sustainable Development Goals (i.e., 11, 13, 15) it will provide an established methodology for conservation planning/restoration strategies and sustainable expansion of urban areas in biodiversity hotspots.