Abstract:

Driving forces analysis is imperative in the study of landuse/cover changes (LUCC).We carried out a study on LUCC and its driving forces at village scale.Study pilots were 4 communities adjacent to the Gaoligongshan Nature Reserve in Nujiang River watershed of Northern Yunnan.SPOT5 remote sensing images combining with field investigation were used to classify land use types and create classification system.Land use patterns and characteristics at village scale were analyzed by using Fragstats 3.3.Meanwhile,socioeconomic data were obtained through household survey,semistructure interviewing,and questionnaires.Relationship between land use pattern and socioeconomic status was built to analyze driving forces of LUCC.Results showed that land use was driven mainly by natural conditions,villagers’ education level, and social customs.At the same time, households’ cash incomes depended strongly upon extensive land uses.Study results provide quantified information  for land resource management and village economic development in Nujiang River Watershed of Northern Yunnan. Methods we adopt can be used as a reference for LUCC studies at local scale