Analysis of forest cover change in Ben En National Park, Vietnam

Abstract

The analysis of land use and land cover (LULC) based on remote sensing and geographic information systems in Ben En National Park, Vietnam, from 2003 to 2023 has revealed significant landscape changes. Assessing the accuracy of the classification results on our Landsat satellite images has shown high reliability, with kappa coefficients above 0.9 for both 2003 and 2023, indicating strong agreement between the classified images and actual reference data. Over the two-decade period, the dominant LULC class remained natural forest, albeit experiencing a substantial reduction in coverage. In contrast, waterbodies and agricultural land expanded significantly. These LULC changes can be attributed to both natural processes and human activities, such as dam construction and water management projects. The most concerning trend is the significant decline in natural forest coverage, primarily driven by deforestation, logging, and land conversion. These activities pose a severe threat to plant biodiversity and the habitats of wildlife within Ben En National Park. Climate change, characterized by erratic weather patterns, exacerbates these challenges, disrupting forest development. Prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall disrupt the growth of planted species, aggravating the situation. Urgent measures are required to address illegal logging and deforestation, coupled with sustainable land management practices to safeguard the park's unique biodiversity. This study underscores the importance of remote sensing and geographic information systems in monitoring and addressing environmental changes, providing essential data for informed decision-making in land use planning and conservation efforts within the national park.