Comparing Landcover Patterns in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Taipei Using Alos Multispectral Images

In this study ALOS multispectral images were used to compare landcover patterns in three study areas, namely Tokyo, Kyoto, and Taipei, of different degrees of urbanization. Shannon diversity index at cell level was used as a landscape metric for landcover pattern analysis. Both the landcover type richness and evenness are low in most of the Tokyo study area and built-up is the single dominant landcover type in almost all cells. In comparison, landcover patterns of the Kyoto and Taipei study areas are more diversified, with significant amount of cells having mixed and non-dominant landcover types. Kyoto is least urbanized and enjoys a good mixture of different landcover types. An urbanization index which integrates the coverage-ratio of built-up landcover type and the cell-average NDVI was proposed and used to explore the spatial variation of degree of urbanization. Area-average urbanization indices of the Tokyo, Kyoto, and Taipei study areas were calculated to be 0.91, 0.55, and 0.72, respectively. Such results are consistent with the results of qualitative evaluation using different landscape metrics. * Corresponding author.