The Influence of Scale in LULC Modeling. A Comparison Between Two Different LULC Maps (SIOSE and CORINE)

Abstract

Scale is one of the most interesting issues in land change science. Although much research has been done on this topic, our understanding of its effects on data and models is still sketchy. We therefore decided to investigate how cartographic scale and minimum mapping unit (MMU) influence modeling results, for which purpose we chose a heterogeneous, dynamic study area in central Asturias (Spain). As opposed to most of the literature on this subject, which focuses on the grain component of scale comparing the same map resampled at different spatial resolutions, we used two different land use and land cover (LULC) maps (SIOSE and CORINE) at different resolutions (12.5 and 50 m) and with minimum mapping units of 0.5–2 and 25 ha respectively. We compared the input and simulated maps using spatial metrics and the matrix proposed by Pontius and Millones to find out the quantity and allocation disagreement. The results can provide a better understanding of the implications of the choice of input maps in LULC modeling.