Forest land cover changes and influencing factors in Cambodia based on GlobeLand 30
The extensive forest resources within Cambodia are pivotal to the ecological integri-ty of the Mekong River basin.This study,utilizing GlobeLand 30 data,investigates the dynam-ics of forest loss in Cambodia through the lens of forest cover and landscape pattern indices.Furthermore,a multiple linear regression analysis is conducted to elucidate the principal determi-nants of forest depletion.The empirical results indicate that:(1)Over the period between 2000 and 2020,Cambodia's forest expanse contracted from 104 009.92 to 89 702.30 square kilome-ters,accompanied by a reduction in coverage from 57.45%to 49.55%.Notably,the plateau and mountainous terrains witnessed the most pronounced deforestation,with a net loss of 8 002.87 square kilometers and a corresponding decline in coverage by 11.36%.Land use transition anal-ysis reveals that 84.85%of the forested area remained stable,whereas 12.90%was reallocated to agricultural purposes.(2)The fragmentation of forested landscapes has escalated,evidenced by a widespread diminution in the largest patch index.(3)The regression analysis underscores population expansion and the augmentation of arable land as the predominant catalysts for forest attrition.It is suggested that the Cambodian government should fortify forest governance and en-forcement to mitigate deforestation.At the same time,fostering economic diversification through the advancement of industries,ecotourism,and other non-agricultural sectors could gen-erate alternative employment avenues,thereby alleviating the impetus for forest conversion to farmland.
Cambodiaforest cover dynamicsland useGlobeLand 30forest loss