LAND USE CHANGE IN THE CLARO RIVER BASIN, BIOBÍO REGION, IN THE YEARS 1986, 2001 AND 2016

Abstract

The Rio Claro basin, located in the Bio Bio region of Chile, underwent major changes in the distribution of its main land cover and the ways in which the landscape interacts between 1986 and 2016. During this period, there was a significant increase in the area of forest plantations, a systematic loss of native forest and major changes in agricultural and urban land, as well as scrubland.
The objective of this research is to analyze the different changes in land cover that occurred and their predominant processes in the years 1986, 2001 and 2016, respectively. Using satellite images, transition matrix and percentage change indicators, an association is shown between the main landscape transformations and their relationship with agricultural and forestry models in the territory. Accordingly, it was possible to determine, at the
beginning, landscape transformations associated with a strong agricultural incentive, whereas, later, a strong incentive to forestation. All in turn, these linked to changes in landscape metrics and land use.