A geospatial framework for rain shadow effect on land degradation: a case study of Attappady Western Ghats region, Kerala

Land is the complex of soil, water and the flora and fauna in a landscape, above and below the soil surfaces and is one of the most important resources for all organisms. Land conversion is a type of land use land cover change and it leads to land degradation. Land degradation affects both on-site and off-site soil productivity and poses a threat to human and animal health, water quality and soil resources caused by factors such as climate change, urbanization, population growth, industrialization, land use land cover change and desertification. Rain deficit also plays a significant role in contributing to land degradation in various regions. The Western Ghats in India, especially the eastern Attappady region, are facing significant land degradation. The objective of the present research is to identify the land degradation expansion and its impact on the landscape of Attappady. To achieve this Landsat series multispectral data, IMD data, ASTER DEM, geospatial tools and multi-influencing factor (MIF) techniques have been employed to analyze land use and land cover changes and land degradation.