Quantification of artificial surfaces impact on urban heat island of Novi Sad (Vojvodina, Serbia)

Abstract

Within urban zones land cover, being the expression of human activities, could be greatly modificated by changes in urban surfaces. Land cover modifications can be measured with mathematical metrics that quantify different aspects of landscape pattern. This research examines land cover patches by a set of landscape metrics for area and size. (Number of patches - NP, CA - Class area, Mean patch size - MPS, % - class ratio). The classification of land cover patches was based on Corine Land Cover 2006 (CLC2006) seamless vector data. The main goal of the research is to investigate the impact of artificial surfaces on Urban Heat Island (UHI) in the City of Novi Sad. The methodology is based on crossing of landscape and geographical approach to UHI research. UHI metrics of Novi Sad reveal strong human impact indicating direct proportional relation between presence of artificial surface areas and increased air temperatures.