Study on Land use and Land Cover Change with the Integration of RS, GIS and GPS Technologies-The Case of Baotou City in the Ecotone of Agriculture-Animal Husbandry, China

Based on the integration of RS, GIS and GPS technologies in the study area during the 10 years from 1992 to 2002, we reached the following main conclusions. First, the areas of forestlands, grasslands and waters were reduced, whereas the areas of other land use types were enlarged. Second, the land of construction increased greatly, especially in the suburb of Baotou City and the environment of the zone was weak. Third, the general quality of regional eco-environment deteriorated from 1992 to 2002. Fourth, the tendency of land use changes and its eco-environmental effects displayed spatial heterogeneity. The general quality of regional eco-environment in every district deteriorated from 1992 to 2002, and the fastest was Damao County, and the slowest was Tuyou County. Finally, the driving force of LUCC was analyzed.