Land Use/Cover Change and Its Driving Mechanism in Thailand from 2000 to 2020

Land use/cover change (LUCC) research is important for regional ecological conservation and sustainable development. There is a lack of exploration of long-time-series dynamics and driving mechanisms at the national scale in the study of land use/cover change in Thailand. Based on the Global Land Cover product with Fine Classification System in 30m (GLC_FCS30) dataset and socioeconomic statistics, we studied the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics and driving mechanisms of LUCC in Thailand from 2000 to 2020 through indicators and methods such as land use dynamic attitude, mapping of a Sankey diagram, principal component analysis, and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis. The results showed that: (1) Thailand has developed in terms of agriculture and forestry. In 2020, the cropland and forest areas accounted for 53.77% and 32.15% of the land area, respectively. (2) From 2000 to 2020, the area of rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, and forest continued to shrink; the area of impervious surfaces expanded rapidly, and the area of shrubland, other cropland, and wetlands increased. (3) The LUCC process mainly occurred in the two-way conversion between forest and shrubland, rainfed cropland and irrigated farmland, forest and rainfed cropland, and forest and other farmland. The LUC with the largest area transformed into other land types was forest (2.25 x 10(4) km(2)), and the LUC with the largest area transformed from other land types transferring into the area was shrubland (1.40 x 10(4) km(2)). (4) From 2000 to 2020, the LUCC process in Thailand was mainly influenced by socio-economics and tourism. Gross population, main grain output, industrial value added, passenger income, and urban population were the key factors driving the LUCC in Thailand. Our research can provide the basis and decision support for the future planning and management of land in Thailand.

Automated summary

Land use/cover change (LUCC) research is crucial for regional ecological conservation and sustainable development. This study explores the long-time-series dynamics and driving mechanisms of LUCC in Thailand at the national scale from 2000 to 2020. The research findings reveal the changes in land use/cover, such as the expansion of impervious surfaces and the reduction of rainfed cropland and forest areas. Socioeconomic factors, including population, grain output, industrial value added, income, and urban population, have played a significant role in driving LUCC in Thailand. The research provides valuable insights for future land planning and management in Thailand.