Unveiling Dynamic Shifts: A Sentinel-2 Data Analysis of Land Cover Change and Forest Fragmentation in Tondulu, Sabah, Malaysia (2019-2023)

Abstract

In this study, Sentinel-2 satellite imagery was utilized to examine land cover changes in the Tondulu, Sabah, Malaysia, between 2019 and 2023. The primary objectives were to quantify land use changes during this period and evaluate the degree of forest fragmentation over time. Advanced remote sensing techniques were employed using cutting-edge geospatial tools, including ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine, in conjunction with FRAGSTATS, to analyze changes in forest cover, urbanization, and agriculture. Google Earth Engine facilitated the processing of large-scale satellite data, enabling a thorough analysis of temporal variations in land use and land cover. ArcGIS provided a robust platform for spatial analysis, integrating various datasets to produce precise land cover maps. FRAGSTATS, a landscape metrics tool, was used to analyze patch size, edge density, fragmentation, and connectivity indices, offering insights into forest fragmentation. The results indicated that primary forest areas decreased from 2923 ha to 2776 ha between 2019 and 2023, with accuracy exceeding 90% for each year. The landscape analysis revealed a significant increase in primary forest fragmentation, as evidenced by the rise in the number of patches from 167 to 277. This suggests that the primary forest is at risk of degradation due to increased accessibility from fragmented areas, potentially exacerbating anthropogenic pressures on the forest.