LUCC and Landscape Pattern Variation in the Lower Tarim River by Remote Sensing

Tarim River, the longest inland river in China, is considered a lifeline that safeguards the economy of the Tarim Basin oasis, as well as the natural ecology and lives of all the ethnic groups in Xinjiang. In this study, the land use/land cover change (LUCC) responses to ecological water conveyance in the lower reaches of Tarim River were studied using ENVI, GIS, and Frastats data analysis software. Remote sensing images data of 1990 and 2017 were used as basic data sources. The results indicated that the LUCC area in the lower reaches of Tarim River was observed to change significantly over the 28-years period, affecting change of 14.079%. The amount of wetland, farmland, forest land, and artificial surface increased as residential areas such as cities, counties, and townships spread and the amount of artificial land used for construction, transportation, and mining increased. It provides scientific guidance for the optimal scheduling of water resources in the lower Tarim River.