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Comparative Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover in Alcântara, Maranhão, Brazil
Organization(s):UFMA - UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO MARANHÃO, Agência Espacial Brasileira
Student(s):Nayara Ketlen Cunha Ribeiro, Jardenilson Souza Garcia, Sergio Serra Silva, Emanuele Silva Costa, Anderson Diego da Silva Araujo, Jefferson Matos Teixeira
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Adilson Matheus Borges Machado, João Santos, Daniely Sousa, Yllana Marinho, Aline Bessa Veloso
Contributors:Joel Artur Rodrigues Dias, Mikele Candida Sousa de Sant’Anna, Hilton Costa Louzeiro
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Land Cover Classification
Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):Portuguese
Date Submitted:03/04/2025
Transformations in land use and land cover (LULC) reflect complex environmental and socioeconomic dynamics, driven by both natural processes and human activities. These changes can profoundly impact biodiversity, water resources, and local climate, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring. In Alcântara, Maranhão, LULC transformations over the past three decades have been primarily influenced by agricultural expansion and aerospace projects. This study aims to analyze LULC changes in Alcântara over the last 30 years while fostering scientific education and community engagement through the GLOBE STEAM program. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses to identify landscape change patterns. Data were obtained from MapBiomas (Landsat 30m) and Sentinel-2 (10m) using Google Earth Engine and QGIS 3.34.4 LTR. The results indicate relative stability in mangrove and forest areas, while urban infrastructure has expanded despite a declining population. Forest cover decreased by 55.50 km², whereas pastureland increased by 79.73 km². The findings suggest a trend of forest conservation alongside gradual urban expansion, contributing to a deeper understanding of local environmental dynamics. These insights provide valuable input for territorial planning policies. Future research should further explore the relationship between LULC changes and environmental indicators, such as surface temperature variations and precipitation trends.