Spatio-temporal analysis of fragmentation and rapid land use changes in an expanding urban region of eastern India

A detailed understanding of forest cover changes and fragmentation is essential for guiding effective conservation and reforestation efforts. This study analyzes land use changes, forest loss, and fragmentation in Jharsuguda, India, over three decades (1993–2023) using Landsat satellite imagery. The results revealed significant land use transitions, with forest cover declining dramatically from 854.79 sq. km in 1993 to 386.4 sq. km in 2023, while built-up areas expanded substantially from 82.26 sq. km to 343.74 sq. km. Core forest fragments shrank significantly, dropping from 271.47 sq. km to 80.21 sq. km, indicating severe habitat degradation. The highest deforestation rate, − 0.047% per year, was observed between 2013 and 2023. Canopy density analysis highlighted notable differences among forest types, reflecting the varying impacts of human activities. These findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable land use planning and offer critical insights for policymakers to address forest degradation and promote global forest conservation initiatives.