The relationship between land surface temperature and land cover characteristics in Lutsk: time series analysis of Landsat satellite indices.

Keywords: land surface temperature, spectral indices, time series, correlation, Landsat, Google Earth Engine

Abstract

Rapid urban population growth exacerbates the urban heat island effect (UHI), which has significant environmental and health implications. Understanding the dynamics of land surface temperature (LST) and its relationship with land cover types is crucial to achieving sustainable urban development. Remote sensing of the Earth is a valuable tool for monitoring and studying the temperature regime of urban areas, as it allows LST information to be acquired over large areas with high spatial and temporal resolution. Unlike traditional weather stations, satellites provide a synoptic overview of an area, which is crucial for studying the spatial patterns of the UHI effect. The Landsat satellites are particularly important as they have provided long-term archival records since the 1980s, and their thermal channels are suitable for calculating LST. They also have channels in the visible, near-infrared and short-wave infrared ranges for studying land cover characteristics. This study analyses the long-term dynamics of the annual average LST values and the NDVI and NDBI spectral indices for Lutsk between 1984 and 2024, using Landsat satellite data (5, 7, 8, and 9) and the Google Earth Engine platform. Time series analysis and linear trend, and correlation analysis methods were applied. Significant annual fluctuations in LST were found, as well as a general trend towards growth (+0.17°C/year). A positive trend in NDVI and a negative trend in albedo were observed. Correlation analysis revealed the anticipated strong negative correlation between LST and albedo. However, the positive correlations of LST with vegetation indices and the weak relationships with built-up/bare land indices warrant further investigation into spatial patterns. The results of the study are important for assessing the microclimate and supporting urban planning decisions.

Published
2025-07-27
How to Cite
UhlА. V., MelnykО. V., MelnykY. А., & VakulyukL. А. (2025). The relationship between land surface temperature and land cover characteristics in Lutsk: time series analysis of Landsat satellite indices. Modern Technologies and Methods of Calculations in Construction, (23), 353-369. https://doi.org/10.36910/6775-2410-6208-2025-13(23)-31