Change Analysis of Land Use and Urban Growth in the Municipalities of Culiacan and Navolato, Sinaloa, Mexico Using Statistical Techniques and GIS

Abstract

Previous analysis of land use and land cover changes help us to understand the range, importance and effects that this dynamic has in the environment and its relation with the human’s activities. This work consists in analyzing the land use/cover for the Municipalities of Culiacan and Navolato, Mexico, through statistical techniques and Geographic Information Systems. The methodology is allowed to determine the changes, gains, losses and transitions in the different categories in the period studied. The results show significant changes in the denominate categories, agriculture and forest. However, the greatest change is the increase of the urban areas. The knowledge in the studied area and its dynamics are carried out and this work serves as a reference to study, manage and plan for our territory.