An Investigation of the Relationship Between Rural Land-Use Changes and the Physical Environment

Abstract

<p> A detailed land-use study is performed in a small rural area in Central Ontario. The physical characteristics of the study area are classified as five distinct land units. The land-use patterns are mapped and described using panchromatic aerial photograph flown in 1954 and 1971. Using the sequential photography, land-use changes are identified and described. In order to evaluate the hypothesis that the land-use changes are related to the study area's physical environment, a numerical analysis is performed. Statistical tests indicate a strong relationship between the land classification and the types of land-use change. The research results concur with previous observations in physically similar areas. </p>