Dynamic analysis of land use change in Nianchu river basin supported by RS&GIS

Through the methods of change rate, dynamic degree index and transfer matrix, land use changes were analyzed, based on the land use data in 1980s and 2000. The major results could be summarized as follows: (1)A large amount of grassland, water body and barren land were transferred to forest land in 1980s–2000 in this region, because of the ecological protection and forestation. (2)Land use changes were greater in the neighborhood of the main stream of Nianchu River than in other areas, from the spatial differences of the changes. (3)The two major reasons contributing to the land use changes in this region, ecological rehabilitation and urbanization, were the important driving factors of land use change.