Estimating land cover for three acequia-irrigated valleys in New Mexico using historical aerial imagery between 1935 and 2014
Keywords:
land cover, fuzzy-set, acequia, aerial photo interpretationAbstract
ABSTRACT
Land cover at a local spatial scale is required for investigating local linkages between hydrology, community, ecology, and economy in valleys in northern New Mexico irrigated by acequias (community-managed water courses). However, datasets do not currently exist at the necessary spatial and temporal scales. These valleys are both ecologically and culturally significant to New Mexico and are experiencing change due to pressures from water availability, climate, population, and development. The purpose of this research was to create and analyze land cover datasets for three acequia-irrigated valleys (Alcalde, El Rito, and Arroyo Hondo) in northern New Mexico for eight points in time between 1935 and 2014 to create a detailed dataset for current and future research needs. Polygons were manually digitized from georeferenced historical aerial photographs and subsequently classified using standard aerial photo interpretation techniques. A fuzzy-set theory thematic accuracy assessment was performed for each of the twenty-four land cover maps. Overall accuracy for these maps ranged between 79-93 percent. Agricultural land is still a dominant land cover in the three valleys, however, it is steadily declining and becoming fragmented by new roads and structures. The results of this analysis corroborate and quantify community reports of land cover change and provide researchers the detailed information required for further investigating hydro-social linkages.
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