[Using a modified remote sensing imagery for interpreting changes in cultivated saline-alkali land]

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Remote Sensing
• Soil Science

Background:

• Saline-alkali land poses challenges to agricultural productivity.
• Understanding land changes is crucial for sustainable land management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a new interpretation symbol system for saline-alkali land classification.
• To analyze the changes in saline-alkali land area, intensity, and distribution in Huanghua City from 1992 to 2011.

Main Methods:

• Developed a new interpretation symbol system by inverting remote sensing images (1992-2011).
• Integrated site investigation, plant cover, and remote sensing features.
• Applied supervised classification to obtain arable land information.

Main Results:

• Salinization of arable land in Huanghua City alleviated between 1992 and 2011.
• Area of severely and moderately saline-alkali land decreased; non/slightly saline land increased.
• Spatial analysis showed land transformation and shifts in the center of gravity for different salinity levels.

Conclusions:

• The developed interpretation system effectively monitors saline-alkali land changes.
• Arable land quality in Huanghua City has improved due to various influencing factors.
• Climate, hydrology, and human activities are key drivers of these land transformations.