[en] Land use and land cover (LULC) changes driven by urbanization and agricultural expansion pose significant challenges to biodiversity, water resources, and sustainable development, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This study examines LULC changes in the Tolga region, Algeria, over a 30-year period (1994–2024) using remote sensing and GIS to assess the impacts on this fragile ecosystem. The analysis revealed a substantial transformation, with open land decreasing from 95.35% of the total area in 1994 to 82.70% in 2024, highlighting intensified land use and potential habitat fragmentation. Dense Vegetation, including date palm groves, increased from 0.94% to 4.32%, while Built-up areas expanded from 0.23% to 0.95%, reflecting concurrent agricultural and urban growth that can strain natural resources. Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships between Built-up areas and Dense Vegetation in districts like Lichana and Tolga (r = 0.99, r = 0.85, respectively), suggesting that urbanization often coexists with agricultural activities. Conversely, negative correlations between Built-up Areas and Land in districts such as Mlili and Mekhadma (r = −0.98) indicate significant land conversion for urban use. Hotspot analysis identified areas of concentrated growth in both vegetation and urban centers, highlighting the spatial dynamics of land use transformation and resource pressure. These findings underscore the complex interplay between urban and agricultural expansion and highlight the need for sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impacts, preserve biodiversity, and support long-term ecosystem health.
Disciplines :
Engineering, computing & technology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Ben Ratmia, Mohamed Akram Eddine; Laboratory of Design and Modeling of Architectural and Urban Forms and Ambiances (LACOMOFA), Department of Architecture, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria ; Department of Architecture, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria ; Coastal Planning and Management Research Group, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
Fezzai, Soufiane; Department of Architecture, University of Tebessa, Tebessa, Algeria
Zitouni, Dyna Chourouk ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Urban and Environmental Engineering ; Department of Architecture, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria
Matallah, Mohamed Elhadi ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Techniques de construction des bâtiments ; Department of Architecture, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria ; Civil Engineering and Hydraulics Laboratory, Sustainable Development and Environment (LARGHYDE), University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria
Bouzaher, Soumia; Department of Architecture, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria
Ben Ratmia, Fatima Zahra; Department of Architecture, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria
Ramírez-Guerrero, Gema; Coastal Planning and Management Research Group, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain ; Department of Marketing and Communication, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
Language :
English
Title :
Identifying hotspots of urbanization and agricultural growth: a spatio-temporal analysis of land use dynamics in Tolga, Algeria (1994–2024)
Abdennour, M. A., A., Douaoui, A., Bennacer, M., Pulido Fernandez, and A., Bradai. 2019. Detection of soil salinity as a consequence of land cover changes at El Ghrous (Algeria) irrigated area using satellite images. https://www.academia.edu/download/94302754/26-1458-1471-ABDENNOUR-_et_al.pdf
Afrasinei, G. M., M. T., Melis, C., Buttau, J. M., Bradd, C., Arras, and G., Ghiglieri. 2017. Assessment of remote sensing-based classification methods for change detection of salt-affected areas (Biskra area, Algeria). Journal of Applied Remote Sensing11 (1):016025. doi: 10.1117/1.JRS.11.016025.
Ahmadi Nadoushan, M., A., Soffianian, S., Fakheran, and M., Kheirkhah Zarkesh. 2023. Measuring the extent and impact of urban expansion in an agricultural-urbanized landscape in Central Iran. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment195 (9):1113. doi: 10.1007/s10661-023-11730-8.
Appeaning Addo, K., 2010. Urban and peri-urban agriculture in developing countries studied using remote sensing and in situ methods. Remote Sensing2 (2):497–513. doi: 10.3390/rs2020497.
Attri, P., S., Chaudhry, and S., Sharma. 2015. Remote sensing & GIS based approaches for LULC change detection–a review. International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology5 (5):3126–37.
Azzouzi, S. A., A., Vidal-Pantaleoni, and H. A., Bentounes. 2017. Desertification monitoring in Biskra, Algeria, with Landsat imagery by means of supervised classification and change detection methods. IEEE Access. 5:9065–72. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2700405.
Benziouche, S. E., and F., Chehat. 2019. Irrigation problem in Ziban oases (Algeria): Causes and consequences. Environment, Development and Sustainability21 (6):2693–706. doi: 10.1007/s10668-018-0155-6.
Berbache, H., and M., Hadjab. 2020. Oasian cities: A tourist heritage threatened by the invasion of urban expansion, case of the oasis of Boussaada, Algeria. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites31 (3):1119–25.
Berghout, K., and H., Dridi. 2022. Integration of GIS and multi-criteria analysis for the assessment of the sensitivity to urbanization in Biskra and its neighboring oases, Algeria. GeoJournal87 (5):4219–34. doi: 10.1007/s10708-021-10495-2.
Bouzaher, L. S., and D., Alkama. 2017. Le role du palmier dans la decentralisation et le developpement local des Ziban. Courrier Du Savoir22:113–20.
Bouzaher, S., and D., Alkama. 2013. The requalification of the palm trees of Ziban as a tool for sustainable planning. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences102:508–19. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.767.
Chang, Y., K., Hou, X., Li, Y., Zhang, and P., Chen. 2018. Review of land use and land cover change research progress. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science113:012087. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/113/1/012087.
de Moraes, M. C. P., K., de Mello, and R. H., Toppa. 2017. Protected areas and agricultural expansion: Biodiversity conservation versus economic growth in the Southeast of Brazil. Journal of Environmental Management188:73–84. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.11.075.
Dechaicha, A., A., Daikh, and D., Alkama. 2021. Monitoring and landscape quantification of uncontrolled urbanisation in oasis regions: The case of adrar city in Algeria. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs5 (2):209–19. doi: 10.25034/ijcua.2021.v5n2-5.
Eddine, B. S., and C., Foued. 2010. La conduite du palmier dattier dans les palmeraies des Zibans (Algérie) Quelques éléments d’analyse. European Journal of Scientific Research42 (4):644–60.
Esri. 2023. ArcGis Pro (Version 4) [Computer software]. Environmental Systems Research Institute. https://www.esri.com/fr-fr/arcgis/products/arcgis-pro/overview
Feng, B., Y., Zhang, and R., Bourke. 2021. Urbanization impacts on flood risks based on urban growth data and coupled flood models. Natural Hazards106 (1):613–27. doi: 10.1007/s11069-020-04480-0.
Franco-Solís, A., and C. V., Montanía. 2021. Dynamics of deforestation worldwide: A structural decomposition analysis of agricultural land use in South America. Land Use Policy109:105619. doi: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105619.
Hadagha, F. Z., A., Farhi, and C., Weber. 2021. New tool to improve the oasis ecosystem using QGIS. Case study: Biskra city in Algeria. Urbanism. Architecture. Constructions/Urbanism. Arhitectura. Constructii12 (1):45–66. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=20690509&AN=148643396&h=vf1sUai4ZswDdVyRMKJbUIwr1ZwU6guKpTcv8Sj/H70iLP3NfjiBOYqgfk%2Bay5hierNiQVoKO7b0Osd6Hk8uuQ%3D%3D&crl=c.
Hadji, M., and A.-I., Petrisor. 2024. From agricultural oasis to urbanization: Path of oasis green infrastructures in Biskra, Algeria. Scientific Papers. Series B. Horticulture68 (1):79. https://horticulturejournal.usamv.ro/pdf/2024/issue_1/Art79.pdf.
Hamamouche, M. F., M., Kuper, H., Amichi, C., Lejars, and T., Ghodbani. 2018. New reading of Saharan agricultural transformation: Continuities of ancient oases and their extensions (Algeria). World Development107:210–23. doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.02.026.
Jana, M., and N., Sar. 2016. Modeling of hotspot detection using cluster outlier analysis and Getis-Ord Gi* statistic of educational development in upper-primary level, India. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment2 (2):60. doi: 10.1007/s40808-016-0122-x.
Karmaoui, A., A., Moumane, S., El Jaafari, A., Menouni, J., Al Karkouri, M., Yacoubi, and L., Hajji. 2023. Thirty years of change in the land use and land cover of the Ziz Oases (Pre-Sahara of Morocco) combining remote sensing, GIS, and field observations. Land12 (12):2127. doi: 10.3390/land12122127.
Kumar, R., A., Kumar, and P., Saikia. 2022. Deforestation and forests degradation impacts on the environment. In Environmental degradation: Challenges and strategies for mitigation, ed. V. P., Singh, S., Yadav, K. K., Yadav, and R. N., Yadava, Vol. 104, 19–46. Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-95542-7_2.
Li, L., W., Zhan, L., Hu, T. C., Chakraborty, Z., Wang, P., Fu, D., Wang, W., Liao, F., Huang, H., Fu, et al.2023. Divergent urbanization-induced impacts on global surface urban heat island trends since 1980s. Remote Sensing of Environment295:113650. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2023.113650.
Lin, M., T., Lin, L., Jones, X., Liu, L., Xing, J., Sui, J., Zhang, H., Ye, Y., Liu, G., Zhang, et al.2021. Quantitatively assessing ecological stress of urbanization on natural ecosystems by using a landscape-adjacency index. Remote Sensing13 (7):1352. doi: 10.3390/rs13071352.
Ma, S., L.-J., Wang, J., Jiang, and Y.-G., Zhao. 2023. Direct and indirect effects of agricultural expansion and landscape fragmentation processes on natural habitats. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment353:108555. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2023.108555.
Matallah, M. E., A., Ahriz, D. C., Zitouni, H. F., Arrar, M. A. E. B., Ratmia, and S., Attia. 2023. A methodological approach to evaluate the passive cooling effect of Oasis palm groves. Sustainable Cities and Society99:104887. doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2023.104887.
Menasra, A., and S., Bouzaher. 2021. GIS tools for landscape character assessment: Case of Ziban region in Algeria. Geomatics, Landmanagement and Landscape. https://yadda.icm.edu.pl/baztech/element/bwmeta1.element.baztech-14c58060-9e08-4cb2-a378-202410436c66
Mihi, A., T., Nacer, and H., Chenchouni. 2019. Monitoring dynamics of date palm plantations from 1984 to 2013 using landsat time-series in Sahara desert oases of Algeria. In Advances in remote sensing and geo informatics applications, ed. H. M., El-Askary, S., Lee, E., Heggy, and B., Pradhan, 225–8. Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-01440-7_52.
Mihi, A., N., Tarai, A., Benaradj, and H., Chenchouni. 2022. Spatiotemporal changes in date palm oases of Algeria over the last century. In Research developments in geotechnics, geo-informatics and remote sensing, ed. H., El-Askary, Z. A., Erguler, M., Karakus, and H. I., Chaminé, 223–6. Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-72896-0_49.
Morante-Carballo, F., N., Montalván-Burbano, X., Quiñonez-Barzola, M., Jaya-Montalvo, and P., Carrión-Mero. 2022. What do we know about water scarcity in semi-arid zones? A global analysis and research trends. Water14 (17):2685. doi: 10.3390/w14172685.
Moumane, A., J., Al Karkouri, A., Benmansour, F. E., El Ghazali, J., Fico, A., Karmaoui, and M., Batchi. 2022. Monitoring long-term land use, land cover change, and desertification in the Ternata oasis, Middle Draa Valley, Morocco. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment26:100745. doi: 10.1016/j.rsase.2022.100745.
Nuissl, H., and S., Siedentop. 2021. Urbanisation and land use change. In Sustainable land management in a European context: A co-design approach, ed. T. Weith, T. Barkmann, N. Gaasch, S. Rogga, C. Strauß, and J. Zscheischler, 75–99. Cham: Springer.
Sekhri, L., S., Razi, and S., Merdaci. 2024. Water productivity and date palm production: A field study in Biskra Region. South Florida Journal of Development5 (10):e4539–e4539. doi: 10.46932/sfjdv5n10-041.
Wang, Y., Y., Sun, X., Cao, Y., Wang, W., Zhang, and X., Cheng. 2023. A review of regional and Global scale Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) mapping products generated from satellite remote sensing. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing206:311–34. doi: 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2023.11.014.
