Geospatial analysis of climate‑induced land cover changes and vegetation trends in western Jharkhand, India

Understanding how climate variability
and anthropogenic activities reshape ecosystems is
essential for sustainable development in environmentally
sensitive regions. This study analyses land use
changes and vegetation trends in western Jharkhand,
India, using multi-source satellite data from 2000
to 2020. The findings reveal that agricultural land
expanded from 53.74% to 59.47% and built-up areas
increased from 0.99% to 1.61%, while dense vegetation
declined from 37.56% to 36.28%, sparse vegetation
from 5.17% to 0.42%, and barren land from
0.63% to 0.17%. These transformations are associated
with a rise in land surface temperature (LST),
particularly in urban and deforested zones. A statistically
significant inverse correlation (
R2 = 0.71–0.77)
between the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
(NDVI) and LST confirms that increased vegetation
density contributes to surface cooling. This relationship
underscores the vulnerability of green cover to
warming and land conversion, consistent with climate-
induced vegetation stress observed globally.
Spatial analysis shows that forested districts such
as Lohardaga and Gumla maintained high NDVI
values, while mining-affected regions like Palamu
and East Singhbhum experienced substantial vegetation
decline. The results support India’s National
Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) by offering
localized evidence of land degradation and heat

accumulation. While the study is based on validated
satellite products and limitations due to spatial resolution
differences. The research provides actionable
insights for land planners and climate policymakers
to implement green infrastructure, afforestation, and
land restoration strategies. Future work should integrate
climatic variables such as rainfall and soil moisture,
and apply seasonal NDVI assessments to build a
more comprehensive understanding of vegetation–climate
dynamics across similar vulnerable landscapes.