Unraveling the Complexities of Land-Use–Land Cover Transformation and Its Impact on Land Surface Temperature and Urban Heat Island Effect: A Study of Nowshera District, Pakistan

Abstract

This study examined the impact of land use–land cover (LULC) on land surface temperature (LST) and the urban heat island effect in Nowshera District, Pakistan, from 2008 to 2018. The study utilized remotely sensed data for computing various LULC types and land surface temperatures. The supervised classification suggests a significant shift in LULC of the study area, i.e., built-up areas expanded from 14.8% to 22.8%, while vegetation decreased from 60.08% to 56.08%. The same was observed for LST, which rose from 35.39°C to 39.96°C from 2008 to 2018. The mean LST in Nowshera increased by a substantial 5.4°C during the study period. The results revealed that LST has been rising steadily since 2008 and that built-up and vacant land consistently experiences the highest LST. Additionally, the study showed that the built environment had a significant effect on LST. The findings underscore a direct link between LULC changes and LST variations. The study highlights the urgency of regulating land-use–land cover changes through constant monitoring and planning to mitigate detrimental consequences. This can improve Nowshera District's resilience and livability, providing a sustainable urban environment for its residents.