Geographic Resources Decision Support System for land use, land cover dynamics analysis

Change detection is the measure of the distinct data framework and thematic change information that can guide to more tangible insights into underlying process involving land cover and land use changes than the information obtained from continuous change. Digital change detection is the process that helps in determining the changes associated with landuse and land cover properties with reference to geo-registered multitemporal remote sensing data. It helps in identifying change between two (or more) dates that is uncharacterised of normal variation. Change detection is useful in many applications such as landuse changes, habitat fragmentation, rate of deforestation, coastal change, urban sprawl, and other cumulative changes through spatial and temporal analysis techniques such as GIS (Geographic Information System) and Remote Sensing along with digital image processing techniques. GIS is the systematic introduction of numerous different disciplinary spatial and statistical data, that can be used in inventorying the environment, observation of change and constituent processes and prediction based on current practices and management plans. Remote Sensing helps in acquiring multi spectral spatial and temporal data through space borne remote sensors. Image processing technique helps in analyzing the dynamic changes associated with the earth resources such as land and water using remote sensing data. Thus, spatial and temporal analysis technologies are very useful in generating scientifically based statistical spatial data for understanding the land ecosystem dynamics. Successful utilization of remotely sensed data for land cover and landuse change detection requires careful selection of appropriate data set. This paper discusses the land use/land cover analysis and change detection techniques using GRDSS (Geographic Resources Decision Support System) for Kolar district considering temporal multispectral data (1998 and 2002) of the IRS 1C / 1D (Indian Remote Sensing Satellites). GRDSS is a freeware GIS Graphic user interface (GUI) developed in Tcl/Tk is based on command line arguments of GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System). It has the capabilities to capture, store, process, display, organize, and prioritize spatial and temporal data. GRDSS serves as a decision support system for decision making and resource planning. It has functionality for raster analysis, vector analysis, site analysis, image processing, modeling and graphics visualisation. This help in adopting holistic approaches to regional planning which ensures sustainable development of the region.