Exploring the Correlation Between Land Surface Temperature and Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics in Mumbai Suburban Area, Maharashtra, India

This study explores the relationships of synergy and correlation between land surface temperature (LST) and land use/land cover (LULC) which can help in assessing their roles in urban sustainability and environmental management. The interactions between land surface temperature (LST) and land use/land cover (LULC) have gained increasing relevance in relation to global urbanization and land use change, particularly in the face of growing demands to address key environmental challenges while achieving sustainable development at multiple scales. This research makes use of recent developments in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and methods of spatial analysis to examine the sensitive dynamic relationships between the effects of human activities and the Earth's surface thermal features. The study employs a multilayered method during various stages of data preparation, processing, interpreting, and analysis to examine spatial trends, estimate land use changes, and assess their impact on land surface temperatures at larger patterns. In terms of methods, image classification methods, statistical analysis, and spatial modeling techniques are applied to explain the drivers and mechanisms of temperature changes, to identify hotspots of temperature variability, and to assess vulnerability to heat-related risks. This has implications across urban planning, climate adaptation, ecosystem management and public health, as land use and land cover exert a strong influence on surface temperatures. Results from this research can inform policies around targeted interventions to mitigate urban heat island effects, enhance urban resilience, and improve sustainable land management practices. A close of consideration of contemporary research trends, which include greater emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative actions among researcher, practitioner, and policymakers would, respectively, lead to an increasing realization of knowledge surrounding the relationships between LST and LULC dynamics and informing a common framework to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban futures.