Impacts of Changes in Land Cover

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 33 views

Introduction

The rapid growth of urban areas in Medan City, particularly in the central region, has led to significant changes in land cover over the years. The increasing population and development activities have resulted in a substantial shift in land use conditions, making it essential to analyze and understand these changes. This study aims to identify and examine the changes in land cover that have occurred in the central area of Medan City from 2005 to 2019.

Methodology

This research was conducted between April and August 2022, utilizing Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 satellite images. The guided classification method was employed to classify the land cover, and the Kappa test was used to measure the accuracy of the classification. The study area consisted of ten sub-districts in the central region of Medan City, including Medan Area, West Medan, Medan Denai, Medan Helvetia, Medan Kota, Medan Perjuangan, Medan Petisah, Medan Sunggal, Medan Tembung, and East Medan. The total area studied was approximately 7,854.12 hectares.

Land Cover Classification

The classification results showed five categories of land cover, namely:

Water Body: This category includes all water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Mixed Garden: This category includes areas with a mix of gardens, parks, and other green spaces.
Open Land: This category includes areas with minimal vegetation, such as grasslands, savannas, and other open spaces.
Settlement: This category includes residential areas, commercial spaces, and other built-up areas.
Shrub: This category includes areas with shrubs and small trees.

Changes in Land Cover

The analysis revealed significant changes in land cover between 2005 and 2019. The results showed a decline in open land by 1,053.27 hectares or 13.43%, while the residential area increased by 2,592.81 hectares or 33.06%. This phenomenon indicates the urgent need for space for urban community activities that continue to develop. The limited land availability has driven a shift in land management, contributing to these changes.

Impacts of Changes in Land Cover

The changes in land cover have far-reaching impacts on both the environment and the community. The decrease in open land can result in the loss of green open spaces, which are essential for urban ecosystems and the quality of life of citizens. Additionally, the increase in settlements can put pressure on infrastructure and public services, such as transportation, health, and education. Therefore, it is crucial for the government and related parties to formulate a better spatial policy, paying attention to environmental sustainability and community welfare.

Recommendations and Future Directions

This analysis not only identifies changes in land cover but also aims to understand the patterns that occur and propose recommendations. With a better understanding of these changes, it is hoped that a sustainable and responsive development policy can be created to address social dynamics and the needs of the people in Medan City. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for future research and policy-making, ensuring that urban development in Medan City is environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has analyzed the changes in land cover in the central area of Medan City from 2005 to 2019. The results have shown significant changes in land cover, with a decline in open land and an increase in residential areas. These changes have far-reaching impacts on both the environment and the community, highlighting the need for a better spatial policy that prioritizes environmental sustainability and community welfare. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for future research and policy-making, ensuring that urban development in Medan City is environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.

Limitations and Future Research Directions

This study has several limitations, including the use of satellite images with limited spatial resolution and the reliance on a single classification method. Future research can build on this study by using higher-resolution satellite images and incorporating multiple classification methods. Additionally, future research can explore the impacts of changes in land cover on local ecosystems and the quality of life of citizens.

Policy Implications

The findings of this study have significant policy implications for the government and related parties. The results highlight the need for a better spatial policy that prioritizes environmental sustainability and community welfare. The government can use this study as a basis for developing policies that promote sustainable urban development, such as increasing green spaces, improving public transportation, and enhancing public services.

Conclusion

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to analyze and identify changes in land cover in the central area of Medan City from 2005 to 2019.

Q: What methods were used to classify the land cover?

A: The guided classification method was employed to classify the land cover, and the Kappa test was used to measure the accuracy of the classification.

Q: What are the five categories of land cover identified in this study?

A: The five categories of land cover identified in this study are:

Water Body: This category includes all water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Mixed Garden: This category includes areas with a mix of gardens, parks, and other green spaces.
Open Land: This category includes areas with minimal vegetation, such as grasslands, savannas, and other open spaces.
Settlement: This category includes residential areas, commercial spaces, and other built-up areas.
Shrub: This category includes areas with shrubs and small trees.

Q: What were the significant changes in land cover observed in this study?

A: The analysis revealed significant changes in land cover between 2005 and 2019, including a decline in open land by 1,053.27 hectares or 13.43%, and an increase in residential area by 2,592.81 hectares or 33.06%.

Q: What are the impacts of changes in land cover on the environment and the community?

A: The changes in land cover have far-reaching impacts on both the environment and the community. The decrease in open land can result in the loss of green open spaces, which are essential for urban ecosystems and the quality of life of citizens. Additionally, the increase in settlements can put pressure on infrastructure and public services, such as transportation, health, and education.

Q: What are the policy implications of this study?

A: The findings of this study have significant policy implications for the government and related parties. The results highlight the need for a better spatial policy that prioritizes environmental sustainability and community welfare. The government can use this study as a basis for developing policies that promote sustainable urban development, such as increasing green spaces, improving public transportation, and enhancing public services.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including the use of satellite images with limited spatial resolution and the reliance on a single classification method. Future research can build on this study by using higher-resolution satellite images and incorporating multiple classification methods.

Q: What are the future research directions based on this study?

A: Future research can build on this study by exploring the impacts of changes in land cover on local ecosystems and the quality of life of citizens. Additionally, future research can investigate the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting sustainable urban development.

Q: What are the practical applications of this study?

A: The findings of this study can be used by policymakers, urban planners, and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies that promote sustainable urban development in Medan City. The study can also serve as a basis for future research and policy-making, ensuring that urban development in Medan City is environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.

Q: What are the implications of this study for the community?

A: The findings of this study have significant implications for the community, particularly in terms of the need for green spaces and public services. The study highlights the importance of prioritizing environmental sustainability and community welfare in urban development policies.