Land use/cover and carbon storage changes in central and southern Liaoning urban agglomerations, China

Based on Landsat ETM+ images in 2000, 2005 and 2010, land use/cover were extracted and carbon storage was estimated using InVEST model in the urban agglomeration of central and southern Liaoning province. Urban area increased by 6.12×10⁴ha while carbon storage dropped by 25.69×10⁴ tons during past ten years. The rapid urban expansion in central and southern Liaoning province causing dramatic land use/cover changes may affect carbon stocks of terrestrial ecosystems. The results will provide scientific basis for reasonable utilization of land resources and protection of ecological environment.