Land cover dynamic since the 1992s in Khefri watershed, Sepidan city of Persian federal, Iran

This study evaluated changes in land cover in the Khefri watershed, Sepidan city of Persian federal, Iran. Two sets of satellite image (1992 and 2005)-multispectral SPOT(2005) and TM image(1992)-were used as inputs to produce GIS-based land cover maps of the area. The results show that during the last 13 years, full canopy forest cover decreased at a rate of about 100 ha per in the 50000-ha watershed. Open forests decreased between 1992 and 2005 and, but increased agriculture, Farmland. and settled area type between 1992 and 2005, approximately to their previous levels. Much of this decline was due to cultivation. A new pond emerged amid the forest lands between 1992 and 2005. Population growth and the associated demand for land and trees was the major driving force behind the changes .This study shows that the deforestation tend was reduced and even partly reversed in the area because local people planted trees as a source of fuel and income. This trend ought to be encouraged through appropriate intervention –in particular-by promoting planting of local species rather than populous, Pecan, amygdales-to increase not only economic but also ecological benefits. Indeed, the current state of land cover and its dynamics have environmental implications at the local scale and beyond. Hence, environmental management for sustainable development requires interregional and international cooperation

Keywords:

Land cover change , remote sensing , afforestation , natural management plan , Zagros , Sepidan and Iran.