Comprehensive Analysis of Landform and Land Use/ Land Cover Mapping of Waghora Watershed Using Sentinal-2B and SRTM-DEM Data

Abstract

This paper aims to integrate the use of high spectral resolution a remote sensing data of Sentinel-2B imagery along with the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derived from the SRTM stereo data to delineate the landforms and analyze the land use and land cover in Waghora watershed, Sausar tehsil, Chhindwara district, situated on basaltic terrain in northern Deccan plateau. A 30 m resolution DEM of the study area was generated, capturing terrain parameters like elevation, slope, aspect, hillshade, and drainage. Sentinel-2B (10 m) images from two seasons were collected FCC (false colour composite) and were prepared by ARCGIS software. combination of Sentinel-2B imagery, SRTM-DEM data, and ground truth verifications to delineate eight major landforms in the studied area. Slope information, extracted from high-resolution DEMs, reveals 4 distinct slope classes. The landforms, including Plateau, Escarpment, Foot Slope, Upper Pediment, Lower Pediment, Valley, Interfluve, and Mound, are characterized based on visual interpretation and geological context. Each landform exhibits unique features, elevation ranges, and dominant land use/cover types, such as single crop cultivation, forest, or degraded land. This detailed terrain analysis aids in land-use planning and environmental management initiatives. The land use/land cover analysis utilizes Sentinel-2B data to identify five classes: degraded forest, double crop, single crop, orchard, and land with and without scrubs. Dense forest dominates 24.2% of the watershed, while double crop and single crop lands cover 36.7% and 24.2% respectively. Orchards occupy a minimal 0.8% of the area, and wastelands account for 5.7%. The relationship between landforms, slope, and land use/cover reveals dominant forestation on steep escarpments, while valleys and interfluves support double cropping due to gentle slopes and depositional processesThe study elucidated connections to examine diverse biophysical phenomena. It highlights the effectiveness of employing SRTM-DEM and Sentinel-2B imagery for analyzing geomorphic characteristics and mapping land use/land cover, offering significant perspectives for land management and planning approaches.