Application of Geographic Information System to Study Land Use Change Patterns in Response to Forest Fires in Doi Luang National Park

Abstract

Land use change patterns and their effects on forest fire occurrence were studied in Doi Luang National Park using data in a geographic information system for 2015, 2019 and 2023. Based on the results of the study, Doi Luang National Park had an area of 1,204.85 square kilometers. The land use was classified into 6 patterns: agricultural areas, evergreen forest, deciduous forest, water body, urban and built–up land, and miscellaneous. From 2015 to 2019, there was a total change of 9.08 square kilometers, with the greatest decrease in deciduous forest (about 4.35 square kilometers), while agricultural areas increased by 3.41 square kilometers. In 2019, there were 1,805 hotspots, of which 279 were in areas with changing land use patterns between 2015 and 2019. The greatest number of hotspots (230) occurred in deciduous forests that had been converted to agricultural areas, representing 82.44%. From 2019 to 2023, there was a total change of 12.16 square kilometers, with the greatest decrease in deciduous forest (about 3.49 square kilometers), while agricultural areas increased by 5.15 square kilometers. In 2023, there were 1,812 hotspots, of which 285 occurred in areas with changing land use patterns between 2019 and 2023. The greatest number of hotspots (255) occurred in deciduous forest, representing 78.95%.