Investigation of land use changes using the landscape ecology approach in Maragheh City, Iran

Abstract Urban development is an ongoing economic and social phenomenon that significantly impacts ecological systems. This study aims to investigate the land use changes physical patterns of Maragheh City its effects on urban landscape as a medium-sized city in northwest Iran. To reach this goal, maps for 1986, 1996, 2006, 2016, 2020 were first processed from Landsat 5, 7, 8 satellite images. ENVI 5.3 ArcMap software used analyze alteration patterns, FRAGSTATS was metrics. The results indicate constructed lands 1986 had most increased by 2157 ha, while green areas decreased about 443 ha. trend indicates lack integration infill growth which created sprawl. Therefore, pattern recent decades has followed scattered unbalanced horizontal growth. There are significant challenges area due trend, including destruction farms fertile agricultural replacement it with incoherent rural settlements.