An Ecosystem Services-Centric Land Use and Land Cover Classification for a Subbasin of the Tampa Bay Watershed

Land-use and land-cover (LULC) change is a primary driver of terrestrial carbon release, often through the conversion forest into agriculture or expansion urban areas. Classification schemes are key component landscape analyses. This study creates novel LULC classification scheme by incorporating ecological data to redefine classes an existing based on variation in above-ground tree carbon. A inventory was conducted for 531 plots within subbasin Tampa Bay Watershed, Florida, USA. Above-ground estimated using i-Tree model. Plots were classified Florida Land Use Cover System. Mean quantities carbon, class, tested statistical differences. reclassification these Sub-classes given “land cover” class similar six seven classes. Significant differences found “Wetlands” vegetation cover, forming two distinct groups: “Forested Wetlands” “Non-forested Mangrove Wetlands”. The use” showed between “Residential” “Non-residential” sub-classes, new classifications can sometimes aggregate areas perceived as that fact regarding variables. These aggregations obscure true parameter at scale. Therefore, study’s system should be designed reflect parameter(s) interest.