Application of remote sensing for assessment of change in vegetation cover and the subsequent impact on climatic variables.

The impacts of vegetation cover changes (VCCs) and land use land cover changes (LULCCs) on climate variabilities need to be addressed while maintaining healthy urban development. This study aimed to evaluate LULCCs and VCCs and their impacts on land surface temperature (LST) and rainfall in the Darbhanga district of Bihar, India. Landsat data and climate hazard group infrared precipitation with stations (CHIRPS) were used to assess LST or LULCCs and rainfall, respectively, over the study area. Results showed a decline in vegetation cover to 11.73% (26,857.43 ha) in the year 2019 from 19.12% (43,733.61 ha) in 1999. Also an increase in built-up and cropland by 4.9% (11,224.6 ha) and 4.38% (10,043.2 ha), respectively, was observed in the last 20 years. With decreasing vegetation cover in the study area, the mean LST increased while the mean annual rainfall decreased for the study period. The Mann-Kendall trend (MKT) test exhibited no significant trends for LST and rainfall with p values of 0.43 and 0.69, respectively, although Sen's slope indicated variability in LST and rainfall even though it was insignificant over the study area. The study would identify areas requiring immediate action for saving its resources and providing insight into upholding its competence. The findings would also lead to proper decision making for the concerned stakeholders, assuring sustainability in appropriate planning of land use and utilisation of resources and maintain the agroclimatic condition.