Monitoring forest changes in lowland hilly terrain of the central highlands of Viet Nam using landsat satellite imagery: a case study in Dak Nong province

The Highland regions of Vietnam, known for their rich biodiversity and ecological importance, have undergone substantial land use changes over the past few decades.This article presents the results of applying remote sensing and GIS to assess forest cover changes in a district in the Highland of Vietnam over a 22-year period, from 2001 to 2023.The study applied remote sensing method and GIS for processing Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI images to create forest cover maps and to analyze the change for the periods 2001, 2013, and 2023.The research results show that the forest cover in the district experienced significant changes during the 2001-2023 period.The total forest area in 2023 lost was over 38% (40166 ha) compared to 2001.The primary drivers identified for these changes include agricultural development, urban expansion, and the cultivation of cash crops such as coffee and rubber.The research results provide valuable reference materials for forest management and protection in a district in the Highland of Vietnam.