LAND COVER CHANGE ANALYSIS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA USING NLCD DATA

Abstract. Land cover change is critical to be monitored as land cover change has significant impacts on flooding, ground water recharge, and urban air temperature. In this paper, key findings from a land cover change analysis study performed in the State of California are presented. National Land Cover Database (NLCD) data from the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium (MRLC) was used for this study. Time series of NLCD data during the time period of 2001 through 2016 was used for the analysis. NLCD data processing was done in ArcMap 10.6.1. This paper includes the methodology in detail, and the results of the analysis. Results of the study indicate a significant increase in impervious surfaces, and a significant decrease in forest land cover.