Regression Modeling: A Statistical Approach to study Land use and Land cover Change Causes

To discrete the descriptive monarchy of explanations statistical model approach has been initiated in land use and land cover studies. In that regression model is applied for identifying the causal relationship and prediction of change from the specific factors of land use and land cover change. Land use and land cover change a dynamic process proceeds with geological factors and progressive steps of human development. Punjab Satluj floodplain formed through river deposition action and later on attracted and habited by the human number that alters the surfacial use of this floodplain and resulted in expansion of human activities. Since mid twentieth century Punjab Satluj floodplain lost its 57% land cover. Locational characteristics of a floodplain played major role for this change. Here both natural and anthropogenic factors acted as important agent of change.

Causal links have been built and linked through statistical model. Regression model has been applied to explain the causal links and also predicts the possible change in dependent variable from the selected independent variables. Five links have been discussed that involved human population and agricultural expansion; human population and built up area expansion; human number and land use change; population density and land use change; land use and land cover change. Model approach proved suitable for explaining descriptive causal links with statistical base.