Long-Term Monitoring of Vegetation Dynamics in the Rhodopi Mountain Range National Park-Greece

While deforestation is a major environmental issue in the tropics, with thousands of hectares converted to agricultural land every year, Europe opposite trend observed, abandonment mountainous and semi-mountainous areas allowing afforestation former pastoral land. This allows semi-natural ecosystems recover after prolonged period exploitation often over-exploitation, but it may also lead significant loss landscape heterogeneity potentially detrimental effects on biodiversity. The current study aims monitor changes vegetation coverage across 35 years (between 1984 2019) Rhodopi Mountains range National Park northern Greece. A time series LANDSAT TM (16 images), ETM + (1 image) 8 OLI/TIRS (4 images) were employed. One data transformation method was applied (TCT), five indices (NDVI, NDWI, SAVI, EVI2 BSI) calculated capture cover transition during period. obtained results all used suggest that over there continuous increasing, open decreasing. observed further confirmed using Object Oriented Image Analysis two pairs images sensed 2019, respectively. almost 22.000 ha habitats have been lost broadleaved conifer woodlands, while appear be advancing into conifer-covered areas. has led broadleaf-dominated landscape. are discussed relation their driving forces, potential implications biodiversity risk wildfires near future.