Abstract

VALDEZ-LAZALDE, José René; AGUIRRE-SALADO, Carlos Arturo  and  ANGELES-PEREZ, Gregorio. Analysis of land use changes in the watershed of Metztitlán river (Mexico) using satellite imagery: 1985-2007. Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2011, vol.17, n.3, pp.313-324. ISSN 2007-4018.

This work evaluated both loss of vegetal cover and urban growth over the last 22 years in the watershed of Metztitlan River, Hidalgo, Mexico, with the purpose of monitoring land use change and planning better the future land use of the study area. Both Landsat images of 1985 (Thematic Mapper, TM) and 2007 (Enhanced Thematic Mapper, ETM+) were used to made thematic maps using the maximum likelihood algorithm. These maps were validated and spatially compared using a change matrix. Two processes of change were detected: (1) annual deforestation (0.5 %), where the most active changes were from scrubland and forest to seasonal agriculture; and (2) urban growth (4.3 % annual rate) displacing agriculture, forests, and grasslands.

Keywords : Deforestation; urban growth; Landsat; Hidalgo.

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