Producing land cover change maps and statistics: Step by step guide on the use of QGIS and RStudio

This guide shows you step-by-step how to create land cover change maps and statistics.

The guide explains the use of open-source software, namely Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) to construct a map displaying land cover change over time, and RStudio to generate land cover change statistical tables. Maps and tables are generated in accordance with the land cover categories of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA).

The guide takes you through 4 steps:

• How to use this guide
• Step 1: Download the data you want to work with from available open sources – Data downloading
• Step 2: Strip and clean the data downloaded to filter the layers relevant to your chosen geographical area – Data pre-processing
• Step 3: Produce the land cover change map – Data processing
• Step 4: Present the land cover change statistics in matrix and table form – Presenting the findings
• Appendix