Analysis On Land Use Changes And Their Influential Factors In Donghai Island

Land Use and Land Cover Change (LUCC) is not only the significant components but also one of the major reasons of global environmental changes. It has taken more and more scholars'attention because of many problems concerned with humanity and nature. We have already had deep basis on Land Use and Land Cover Change in Inland Areas of China. In comparison, the research in the Coastal Zones is very poor. Supported by the subject"Satellite Remote Sensing Investigation and Research of Islands and Coastal zones in Guangdong Section", we take Donghai island of Guangdong province as study area and use SPOT-5 image (Nov. 6th, 2006), Landsat-7 ETM+ image (Oct. 30th, 2000), Landsat-5 TM image (Oct. 30th, 1991) and land use map of coastal zone in 1980s. This paper analysis the land use changes and their influential factors in Donghai island on the basis of the regional classification system. The main results are as follow:(1) The regional land use classification system is confirmed according to the study area and the adopted data, and the land use map in 2006, 2000, 1991 and 1980 are obtained.(2) Notable land use changes in Donghai Island had taken place between 1980 and 2006. There are some common trends: Area of farmland, woodland and beach had been decreased, while area of garden plot, residential and industrial land, water and unused land increased. The farmland changed into woodland, residential and industrial land and water; the woodland changed into water, unused land, residential and industrial land, garden plot and public establishment; the beach changed into water.(3) The land use change is associated with the distance to the coastal line. The shorter the distance to the coastal line is, the more obvious the coastal character represents. (4) The increase of population and the development of economy are the chief drive factors of land use changes in Donghai Island. And the policy and market have an important regulatory effect.