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Definition: Land cover change refers to the transformation of the physical and biological cover of the earth’s surface.
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Natural Causes:
- Climate Change: Alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns can transform landscapes, such as turning forests into grasslands.
- Natural Disasters: Events like wildfires, floods, and volcanic eruptions can drastically alter land cover.
- Ecological Succession: Natural processes where one type of ecosystem evolves into another over time.
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Anthropogenic Causes:
- Urbanization: Expansion of cities and towns leads to the conversion of natural landscapes into urban areas.
- Agriculture: Clearing forests and grasslands for farming changes land cover significantly.
- Deforestation: Driven by logging, agriculture, and urban expansion, it leads to the loss of forest cover.
- Industrial Activities: Mining, construction, and other industrial activities transform landscapes.
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Implications:
- Biodiversity Loss: Changes in land cover can lead to habitat loss and a decline in wildlife populations.
- Climate Change: Land cover change, particularly deforestation, can contribute to global warming.
- Water Cycle Alteration: Changes in land cover can affect local and regional water cycles, impacting water availability.