Spatio-temporal evolution of landscape patterns in an oasis city

Abstract

Studying the spatial–temporal evolution of oasis urban landscape patterns can provide a unique reference for future sustainable development. This study aimed to characterize the spatio-temporal evolution of landscape patterns in the past 20 years. The remote sensing and spatial analysis techniques included land transfer matrix, orientation evolution combined with landscape index, natural driving factor, and mass center migration model. The results showed that (1) two decades of urbanization brought prominent LULC changes. An increase of 464.8 km2 in the building area denoted the dominant change. (2) Changes in building, bare land, and green space occurred mainly in the northwest orientation. The patch Aggregation Index (AI) increased continually during building expansion. Meanwhile, the Landscape Division Index (DIVISION) experienced a progressive and complementary decline. (3) Increase in building land was associated with topography (DEM) and vegetation cover (NDVI). A lower elevation induced a larger building increment. Around NDVI average value for bare land (0.137) and farmland (0.477), building land had the largest expansion, verifying its principal land sources. (4) The center of gravity of building land overall migrated towards the north, and green space and bare land towards the south due to building encroachment. The findings could inform future sustainable urban development.