Tourism-Induced Land Use Transformations, Urbanisation, and Habitat Degradation in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone
Dynamic development of tourism activities and rapid urbanisation in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) can lead to significant land use and land cover changes (LULCCs) and environmental degradation, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. This study examines the transformation of land use and its a...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Urban Science |
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| author | Can Trong Nguyen Nigel K. Downes Asamaporn Sitthi Chudech Losiri |
| author_facet | Can Trong Nguyen Nigel K. Downes Asamaporn Sitthi Chudech Losiri |
| author_sort | Can Trong Nguyen |
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| description | Dynamic development of tourism activities and rapid urbanisation in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) can lead to significant land use and land cover changes (LULCCs) and environmental degradation, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. This study examines the transformation of land use and its associated impacts on habitat quality and thermal environment in Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam) over a 20-year period (2003–2023). Using multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery and random forest classification, we quantify LULCCs and assess the environmental consequences of urban expansion on habitat degradation and intensification of the island’s thermal environment, focusing on land surface temperature (LST) changes. Our analysis reveals that rapid urbanisation, driven by large-scale tourism and infrastructure developments, has led to a significant loss of forest and farmland, leading to a 5.6% decline in habitat quality and a marked increase in LST. The study also highlights the uneven distribution of urban growth, with the majority of expansion occurring in the southern and central regions of the island. By applying the InVEST Habitat Quality Model, we identify key zones of habitat degradation and offer insights into the spatial patterns of environmental sensitivity and changes. Our findings underscore the need for integrated land use planning and sustainable development strategies to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of SEZ-driven urbanisation on island ecosystems. This research provides critical guidance for policymakers, planners, and environmental managers to balance economic growth with environmental conservation in fragile island environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3edbd496470a49468705baf071d36d63 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Urban Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-3edbd496470a49468705baf071d36d632025-01-24T13:51:35ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512025-01-01911110.3390/urbansci9010011Tourism-Induced Land Use Transformations, Urbanisation, and Habitat Degradation in the Phu Quoc Special Economic ZoneCan Trong Nguyen0Nigel K. Downes1Asamaporn Sitthi2Chudech Losiri3Environment Centre, Charles University, 16000 Prague, Czech RepublicCollege of Environment and Natural Resources, Can Tho University, Can Tho 92000, VietnamDepartment of Geography, Faculty of Social Science, Srinakharinwirot University, 114 Sukhumvit 23, Wattana District, Bangkok 10110, ThailandDepartment of Geography, Faculty of Social Science, Srinakharinwirot University, 114 Sukhumvit 23, Wattana District, Bangkok 10110, ThailandDynamic development of tourism activities and rapid urbanisation in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) can lead to significant land use and land cover changes (LULCCs) and environmental degradation, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. This study examines the transformation of land use and its associated impacts on habitat quality and thermal environment in Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam) over a 20-year period (2003–2023). Using multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery and random forest classification, we quantify LULCCs and assess the environmental consequences of urban expansion on habitat degradation and intensification of the island’s thermal environment, focusing on land surface temperature (LST) changes. Our analysis reveals that rapid urbanisation, driven by large-scale tourism and infrastructure developments, has led to a significant loss of forest and farmland, leading to a 5.6% decline in habitat quality and a marked increase in LST. The study also highlights the uneven distribution of urban growth, with the majority of expansion occurring in the southern and central regions of the island. By applying the InVEST Habitat Quality Model, we identify key zones of habitat degradation and offer insights into the spatial patterns of environmental sensitivity and changes. Our findings underscore the need for integrated land use planning and sustainable development strategies to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of SEZ-driven urbanisation on island ecosystems. This research provides critical guidance for policymakers, planners, and environmental managers to balance economic growth with environmental conservation in fragile island environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/1/11habitat degradationInVEST modelland use and land cover changes (LULCCs)Phu Quoc Islandspecial economic zones (SEZs)urbanisation |
| spellingShingle | Can Trong Nguyen Nigel K. Downes Asamaporn Sitthi Chudech Losiri Tourism-Induced Land Use Transformations, Urbanisation, and Habitat Degradation in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone Urban Science habitat degradation InVEST model land use and land cover changes (LULCCs) Phu Quoc Island special economic zones (SEZs) urbanisation |
| title | Tourism-Induced Land Use Transformations, Urbanisation, and Habitat Degradation in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone |
| title_full | Tourism-Induced Land Use Transformations, Urbanisation, and Habitat Degradation in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone |
| title_fullStr | Tourism-Induced Land Use Transformations, Urbanisation, and Habitat Degradation in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tourism-Induced Land Use Transformations, Urbanisation, and Habitat Degradation in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone |
| title_short | Tourism-Induced Land Use Transformations, Urbanisation, and Habitat Degradation in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone |
| title_sort | tourism induced land use transformations urbanisation and habitat degradation in the phu quoc special economic zone |
| topic | habitat degradation InVEST model land use and land cover changes (LULCCs) Phu Quoc Island special economic zones (SEZs) urbanisation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/1/11 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cantrongnguyen tourisminducedlandusetransformationsurbanisationandhabitatdegradationinthephuquocspecialeconomiczone AT nigelkdownes tourisminducedlandusetransformationsurbanisationandhabitatdegradationinthephuquocspecialeconomiczone AT asamapornsitthi tourisminducedlandusetransformationsurbanisationandhabitatdegradationinthephuquocspecialeconomiczone AT chudechlosiri tourisminducedlandusetransformationsurbanisationandhabitatdegradationinthephuquocspecialeconomiczone |