Monitoring Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics in the Province of Constantine, Algeria using Remote Sensing and GIS

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate and analyse the dynamics of land use/land change over time in the province of Constantine, Algeria, using multi-temporal Landsat imagery and ancillary data. Methods/Statistical Analysis: A supervised classification technique using Maximum Likelihood algorithm was used for land use/land cover classification, to generate thematic maps, with six major classes. The accuracy assessment was applied for each maps based on stratified random method. Furthermore, post-classification technique was achieved to provide a detailed matrix of “from-to” change between 1987 and 2015. Findings: The results showed that the landscape patterns in the province of Constantine, Algeria, have been changed. The built-up areas and agricultural lands have increased by 375%, and 13% respectively. However, significant spatial reduction in vegetation areas was observed. Both of grasslands and forestlands were decreased by 54% and 9.11%, respectively, especially in the eastern part of the province. Application/Improvements: The dramatic decline in vegetation covers in the most mountainous areas, indicating the necessity to create new policies based on protecting and enhancing the natural vegetation.