Dynamic Changes in Melbourne’s Urban Vegetation Cover—2001 to 2016

Understanding changes in urban vegetation is essential for ensuring sustainable and healthy cities, mitigating disturbances due to climate change, sustaining biodiversity, supporting human health wellbeing. This study investigates describes the distribution dynamic over a 15-year period Greater Melbourne, Australia. The how cover across Melbourne has changed at five-yearly intervals from 2001 2016 using newly proposed change approach that extends net quantify amount of gain as well loss. We examine this question two spatial resolutions: (1) municipal landscape scale capture broadscale regardless land tenure; (2) designated public open spaces within municipalities investigate extent which loss occurred on lands are intended provide access vegetated areas city. Vegetation was quantified four different times (2001, 2006, 2011, 2016), normalized difference index (NDVI). Dynamic between three periods were six local government (LGAs) their associated matrix. results showed an overall 64.5 square kilometres LGAs. When extrapolated Area, approximately equivalent 109 size Central Park New York City.