Land Use Changes on Both Sides of the Tumen River Basin (China and North Korea) over the Past 20 Years

Abstract

This study selects the Tumen River Basin as the research area. By downloading Global30 land use data for 2000, 2010, and 2020, we utilized ArcGIS for mask extraction, raster reclassification, and data integration to standardize land categories and facilitate comparative analysis. Subsequently, we systematically analyzed the area, change magnitude, and dynamic degree of land use on both sides of the Tumen River Basin over the past two decades. Through spatial operations such as overlay analysis in ArcGIS, we further employed land use transfer matrices and transition probability matrices to examine the characteristics of land use type conversions. Key findings include:

1.Forest reduction: Forest areas on both sides of the basin decreased, primarily due to insufficient environmental awareness and overexploitation of resources in the early 2000s.

2.Water body expansion: China’s water conservancy projects increased total water area by approximately 66.39 km², while North Korea’s water bodies remained stable.

3.Policy-driven shifts: Land use changes were closely linked to national policies and human activities, with recent improvements attributed to sustainable development initiatives