The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Publications Copernicus
Download
Citation
Articles | Volume XLII-3/W12-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-3-W12-2020-545-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-3-W12-2020-545-2020
06 Nov 2020
 | 06 Nov 2020

LAND USE DATA IN THE MIDDLE MAULE RIVER SUB-BASIN: CLASSIFICATION AND COMPARISON BETWEEN 1999 AND 2019

M. N. Tapia and M. V. B. Morais

Keywords: Land cover use, Landsat, Drought, Human activities, Chile, Semi-automatic Classification Plugin

Abstract. The use of satellite images is a modern strategy for the evaluation and prediction of various weather scenarios. In addition, this is a key tool for the development of environmental sciences. Since the end of the last decade, Chile has been suffering from a megadrought associated with climate change. In this context, this study proposes to evaluate the role of land use change in the Middle Maule River sub-basin, located in the Maule Region, Chile. This is an important sector characterized by a significant agricultural and hydroelectric contribution. To do so, this study performs a supervised classification of land cover through the usage of QGIS software and Landsat images for the years 1999 and 2019. The results show the growth of areas without vegetation due to a great drought facing the Central Zone of the country. Additionally, there is a decrease in available bodies of water. This article leaves open future research on the impact of the main economic activities of the region.