Landscape Dynamics of Cat Tien National Park and the Ma Da Forest Within the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Nastasia Lineva, Roman Gorbunov, Ekaterina Kashirina, Tatiana Gorbunova (), Polina Drygval, Cam Nhung Pham, Andrey Kuznetsov, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Dang Hoi Nguyen, Vu Anh Tu Dinh, Trung Dung Ngo, Thanh Dat Ngo and Ekaterina Chuprina
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Nastasia Lineva: A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 299011 Sevastopol, Russia
Roman Gorbunov: A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 299011 Sevastopol, Russia
Ekaterina Kashirina: A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 299011 Sevastopol, Russia
Tatiana Gorbunova: A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 299011 Sevastopol, Russia
Polina Drygval: A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 299011 Sevastopol, Russia
Cam Nhung Pham: A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 299011 Sevastopol, Russia
Andrey Kuznetsov: Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center, Hanoi 110000, Vietnam
Svetlana Kuznetsova: Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center, Hanoi 110000, Vietnam
Dang Hoi Nguyen: Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center, Hanoi 110000, Vietnam
Vu Anh Tu Dinh: Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center, Hanoi 110000, Vietnam
Trung Dung Ngo: Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center, Hanoi 110000, Vietnam
Thanh Dat Ngo: Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technology Center, Hanoi 110000, Vietnam
Ekaterina Chuprina: A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 299011 Sevastopol, Russia

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-30

Abstract: The study of tropical landscape dynamics is of critical importance, particularly within protected areas, for evaluating ecosystem functioning and the effectiveness of natural conservation efforts. This study aims to identify landscape dynamics within the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve (including Cat Tien National Park and the Ma Da Forest) using remote sensing (Landsat and others) and geographic information system methods. The analysis is based on changes in the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), land cover transformations, landscape metrics (Class area, Percentage of Landscape and others), and natural landscape fragmentation, as well as a spatio-temporal assessment of anthropogenic impacts on the area. The results revealed structural changes in the landscapes of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve between 2000 and 2024. According to Sen’s slope estimates, a generally EVI growth was observed in both the core and buffer zones of the reserve. This trend was evident in forested areas as well as in regions of the buffer zone that were previously occupied by highly productive agricultural land. An analysis of Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Land Cover and Land Cover Climate Change Initiative (CCI) data confirms the relative stability of land cover in the core zone, while anthropogenic pressure has increased due to the expansion of agricultural lands, mosaic landscapes, and urban development. The calculation of landscape metrics revealed the growing isolation of natural forests and the dominance of artificial plantations, forming transitional zones between natural and anthropogenically modified landscapes. The human disturbance index, calculated for the years 2000 and 2024, shows only a slight change in the average value across the territory. However, the coefficient of variation increased significantly by 2024, indicating a localized rise in anthropogenic pressure within the buffer zone, while a reduction was observed in the core zone. The practical significance of the results obtained lies in the possibility of their use for the management of the Dongnai biosphere Reserve based on a differentiated approach: for the core and the buffer zone. There should be a ban on agriculture and development in the core zone, and restrictions on urbanized areas in the buffer zone.

Keywords: land cover; tropical forests; deforestation; agricultural lands; EVI; Sen’s slope (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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