A Collaborative Study on Vegetation Dynamics
Our team recently conducted a detailed study on vegetation changes in Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan. This effort, while thorough, is based on specific datasets and methodologies and may have some limitations. Below are the key insights from our research.
The Need for Vegetation Monitoring
Sheikhupura is an agriculturally rich region facing significant challenges due to its growing population, changing climate, and expanding agricultural and industrial activities. Our study aimed to monitor and map changes in vegetation cover using remote sensing indices such as:
- NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)
- SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index)
- NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index)
Sheikhupura, located 40 km northwest of Lahore, spans an area of 5,960 square kilometers. Known for its fertile soil and extensive irrigation systems, it supports a variety of crops. We analyzed vegetation changes in this area between February 2016 and February 2023 using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.
Our Goals
We set out to:
- Measure the extent of vegetation and built-up areas in Sheikhupura
- Compare land use and land cover changes between 2016 and 2023
- Assess the health of vegetation using NDVI values
Key Findings
From our analysis, we observed:
- Urban Expansion: Built-up areas increased significantly from 244.62 km² to 576.93 km²
- Land Utilization: Barren land decreased as more land was developed
- Vegetation Changes:
- Sparse vegetation increased from 366.53 km² to 558.05 km²
- Dense vegetation decreased from 2,619.59 km² to 1,998.38 km², indicating a decline in healthy vegetation
Conclusion
Our study highlights significant changes in vegetation cover in Sheikhupura over the past seven years. These findings emphasize the importance of using remote sensing indices to monitor ecological changes and guide land use management. Balancing urban development with the preservation of healthy vegetation is crucial for sustainable growth.
If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to our team.