Forest and urban change analysis in Puerto Rico: A study utilizing TerrSet and remote sensing methodologies

Abstract

This study presents a methodology for analyzing forest and urban transformations in Puerto Rico, using high-resolution GHS-POP population data and MODIS Vegetation Index (VI) products. The GHS-POP data, providing detailed total population per pixel distribution at a 100m resolution, and MODIS VI products, capturing vegetation dynamics at a 1km resolution, are interpolated using ArcGIS Pro to ensure spatial and temporal compatibility. Advanced analysis is conducted with TerrSet, a geospatial platform integrating IDRISI GIS and Image Processing tools, employing applications like the Land Change Modeler (LCM) and Earth Trends Modeler (ETM) to project land cover changes and analyze environmental trends. The study uses GDAL conversion utilities to integrate TIFF files into TerrSet for Empirical Orthogonal Teleconnections (EOT) analysis, identifying spatial-temporal patterns and exploring the relationship between urban expansion and vegetation changes. This framework provides critical insights into the interplay between urban development and ecological dynamics, informing sustainable development and conservation strategies in Puerto Rico.