Land use changes in Klaipeda, Kaunas and Vilnius (Lithuania) functional urban areas

In cities, land use changes are related to land degradation since urban fabric (e.g. soil sealing) increases. Urban expansion is a global phenomenon that is a cause of biodiversity loss and climate change. This work assesses land use changes in Klaipeda, Kaunas and Vilnius (Lithuania) functional urban areas (FUA) between 1989/50 and 2020/21. Land use changes were assessed using Google Earth Engine based on Landsat imagery. The results showed that in all FUAs, croplands and pastures were the most common land use, followed by forest and woodlands and urban areas. Also, there was an increase in forest and woodlands, especially in urban areas, while a reduction in cropland and pastures was observed. This is evidence of urban expansion, rural exodus, and land abandonment occurring in relatively small areas. Although this was the general trend, some land use transitions changed from sparsely vegetated land to cropland and pastures, indicating agriculture intensification.