Analysis of land use land cover change using a new and existing spectral indices and its impact on normalized land surface temperature

In the present study, a new spectral index named as Normalized Ratio Urban Index (NRUI(ms))has been proposed for multi-sensor Landsat satellite data. The new index along with other existing indices, has been used as additional feature for image classification to assess Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes for Dehradun, India. It has been found that use of indices, increases separability between different LULC class-pairs. However, for fallow-urban class pair, NRUI(ms)shows better separability in comparison to other indices. Significant LULC changes have been analysed using Man Kendall (MK) and Sen's Slope (SS) tests. The change during the period 1991-2019 reveals that an unprecedented urban growth has taken place. Further, conversion of vegetated areas into non-vegetated areas has also been studied in this period. For changed areas, normalized LST difference has been estimated. The LULC conversion from vegetated into non-vegetated areas, leads to an increase in LST and vice-versa.

Automated summary

A new spectral index NRUI(ms) has been proposed for assessing LULC changes in Dehradun, India using Landsat satellite data. The NRUI(ms) showed better separability compared to other indices for the fallow-urban class pair. Significant LULC changes were observed during the period 1991-2019, with unprecedented urban growth and conversion of vegetated areas into non-vegetated areas.