ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Impact of Land Use/Land Cover Changes
on the Thermal Environment in Urbanization:
A Case Study of the Natural Wetlands Distribution
Area in Minjiang River Estuary, China
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1
College of the Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
2
Fuzhou University Zhicheng College, Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
3
College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Cangshan District, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
4
Fujian Environmental Protection Design Institute Co., Ltd., Jin’an District, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Submission date: 2018-06-10
Final revision date: 2018-07-18
Acceptance date: 2018-07-24
Online publication date: 2019-03-05
Publication date: 2019-04-09
Corresponding author
Yuanbin Cai
Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, 350108 Fuzhou, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(4):3025-3041
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ABSTRACT
Under accelerated urbanization and high-intensity human activities, the natural wetlands distribution
area (NWDA) in Minjiang River estuary faces the great challenge of a deteriorative urban thermal
environment. This work aims to analyze the impact of land use/land cover (LULC) on the urban thermal
environment and model wetland surface temperature disturbance characteristics during the process of
urbanization. The study utilized the following methodological steps: (1) mapping of LULC spatial and
temporal distribution through photo interpretation; (2) applying the mono-window algorithm to obtain
the spatiotemporal patterns of land surface temperature (LST); (3) examining the correlation between
LST and different LULC classes, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference
moisture index (NDMI), and normalized difference impervious surface index (NDISI); and (4) exploring
wetland surface temperature characteristics based on profile analysis and regression models. The results
showed that the LST pattern depended on the LULC distribution; the high LST zones were mainly
observed in the center of Fuzhou city, and the low LST zones were mainly observed in forest and river
areas. Moreover, the urban thermal environment was influenced by both LULC classes and urban
growth types. Finally, the positive relationship between LST and NDISI indicated an amplifying
effect of the impervious surface for wetland surface temperature, while vegetation with high liquid
water attenuated the regional high temperature. The obtained conclusions are expected to be beneficial
in improving the design and management of the urban thermal environment.