Assessment of change in green space of Moc Chau district, Son La Province in the period 2005 – 2021 using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)

Abstract

Green space is an integral part of ecotourism, it is also an important indicator f sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to assess the change in green space quality using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the period 2005 - 2021 in Moc Chau district, Son La. Four satellite images including 2 Landsat 5 images and 2 Landsat 8 images taken in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2021 are used to determine the NDVI value. The green space map is then classified into four classes based on the corresponding value ranges, namely, areas with non-green, low green, moderate green, and dense green. The results show a rapid decrease in areas with dense green while non-green areas and low green areas tend to increase rapidly in the past 16 years (2005 - 2021). This result is considered an important basis in the management and planning of sustainable development in the study area.