Intensity Analysis to communicate land change during three time intervals in two regions of Quanzhou City, China

A new method enhances the understanding of land change by combining Intensity Analysis with a three-component model (quantity, exchange, and shift) to compare regions over equal time intervals. The study reveals that the Coastal region of Quanzhou City, China, experienced more intense land changes than the Inland region between 1995 and 2010, with 'Cultivated' land losing and 'Built' land gaining more intensively than uniform change in both regions. Notably, Built's gain primarily targeted Cultivated land, especially in the Coastal region where Cultivated size explained most transitions to Built, raising concerns about food security due to the loss of Cultivated land. The approach is illustrated using GIS maps and free software for broader application.

Quan, B., Pontius, R. G., & Song, H. (2019). Intensity Analysis to communicate land change during three time intervals in two regions of Quanzhou City, China. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 57(1), 21–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/15481603.2019.1658420