A Futuristic Survey Of The Effects Of Lu/Lc Change On Stream Flow By Ca-Markov Model: A Case Of The Nekarood Watershed, Iran

Land use (LU) or land cover (LC) is a critical factor dictating the amount of available water in runoff and groundwater. LU/LC Land use (LU) or land cover (LC) is a critical factor which can determine amount of available water in runoff and groundwater. In this study future effect of LU/LC change on stream flow in Nekarood watershed is investigated by Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Land use maps (1986-2016) based on Landsat TM and ETM+ satellite imagery are used. Furthermore, land use projection is performed by CA-Markov for the future period of 2016-2030. According to the results, agriculture and residential land use are increased by 40%, 28%, 38% and 31% respectively, and forest area is reduced by 12% and 6% during 1986-2001 and 2001-2016, respectively. Moreover, land use projection results showed that from 2016 to 2030 forest area will decrease by 6%, residential areas and agricultural will increase by 34% and 19%, respectively.