Analysis of land use change in Zaozhuang based on geometric features

Using Zaozhuang City in Shandong Province as a case study, this analysis is based on land use change data from two periods, 2000-2010 and 2010-2020. Utilizing land use transfer matrices, land use dynamic degree, geometric features, and NMDS ordination, the study examines land use changes in both temporal and spatial dimensions from the perspectives of area, rate, and morphology. The results indicate that Zaozhuang's land use types are primarily cultivated land, grassland, and urban, industrial, and residential areas, which comprise a significantly higher proportion than other types, with distinct spatial boundaries. In the first period, land use changes were minimal, classified as extremely slow, with geometric characteristics of changing water areas differing markedly from other land types, heavily influenced by natural factors. In the second period, land use changes became pronounced, with mutual transformations occurring among all land use types, particularly evident in cultivated land, urban, industrial, residential areas, and grassland. The geometric features of these three types were similar but significantly different from other categories. During this period, with the development of agriculture and industry, Zaozhuang's land structure became more rational, and the level of land intensification improved. This study provides new insights and recommendations for researching land use changes from a spatial morphology perspective.