Urban Eco-Sensitivity Mapping and Prediction by Subrata Ghosh

Urban Eco-Sensitivity Mapping and Prediction by Subrata Ghosh

This book presents a comprehensive framework for urban ecological-sensitivity mapping and prediction by integrating advanced GIS, remote sensing, spatial statistics, machine learning, and scenario-based modelling techniques. Urbanization is transforming landscapes at an unprecedented pace, creating significant challenges for ecological sustainability, environmental quality, and urban resilience. Understanding how urban growth influences ecological systems has become essential for developing effective planning and management strategies in rapidly expanding metropolitan regions. It systematically examines the interactions between urban expansion, landscape dynamics, ecological security, ecological vulnerability, ecosystem services, and environmental quality within a unified analytical framework.

A distinctive feature of the book is its application of state-of-the-art modeling approaches, including ANN-CA-Markov and TerrSet Land Change Modeler (LCM) for urban growth and land-use change prediction; Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) for analyzing spatial heterogeneity in urban ecological processes; DEMATEL-ANP for ecological security assessment and decision-making; and the Scenario-Based Ecological Land Management and Prioritization Model (SELM-PM) for evaluating future development pathways and ecological conservation strategies. The integration of these approaches provides a robust decision-support system for identifying ecological risks, assessing environmental change, and designing sustainable urban futures.

Combining theoretical foundations with practical applications, this book addresses critical gaps in assessing urban ecological health and sustainability, particularly in densely populated developing-country cities. Its insights support evidence-based decision-making, spatial planning, climate resilience, and ecosystem conservation strategies, bridging the divide between research and practice. The book is designed for urban planners, environmental managers, geospatial analysts, policymakers, and researchers interested in sustainable urban development, ecological risk assessment, and the application of advanced GIS and modelling techniques to metropolitan-scale environmental challenges.