Sustainable land use in Moldova: GIS & remote sensing of forests and crops

• Valjarević, Aleksandar ^[1] ; Morar, Cezar ^[2] ; Brasanac-Bosanac, Ljiljana ^[4] ; Cirkovic-Mitrovic, Tatjana ^[4] ; Djekic, Tatjana ^[3] ; Mihajlović, Marija ^[1] ; Milevski, Ivica ^[5] ; Culafic, Golub ^[6] ; Luković, Milan ^[1] ; Niemets, Liudmyla ^[7] ; Sehida, Kateryna ^[7] ; Kaplan, Gordana ^[8]
  1. [1] University of Belgrade

     University of Belgrade

     Serbia

     
  2. [2] University of Oradea

     University of Oradea

     Rumanía

     
  3. [3] University of Nis

     University of Nis

     Serbia

     
  4. [4] Institute of Forestry, Kneza Viseslava 3, Belgrade 11030, Serbia
  5. [5] Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Arhimedova 3, Skopje 1000, Macedonia
  6. [6] Institute for Hydrometeorology and Seismology of Montenegro, IV Proleterske 19, Podgorica 81 000, Montenegro
  7. [7] V. N. Karazin Kharkiv University, Department of Human Geography and Regional Studies, 4 Svobody Sq, Kharkiv 61022, Ukraine
  8. [8] Institute of Earth and Space Sciences, Eskisehir Technical University, Iki Eylul Campus, Eskisehir 26555, Turkey

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• Localización: Land use policy: The International Journal Covering All Aspects of Land Use, ISSN 0264-8377, ISSN-e 1873-5754, Nº. 152, 2025
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Forests and agricultural lands are critical components of the environment, influencing ecosystem stability, biodiversity, and land productivity. In the Republic of Moldova, a country with limited forest cover (11.4 % of its territory), the relationship between forested areas and cultivated land plays a key role in sustainable land management. This study examines the spatial interactions between forest land and two major agricultural crops—sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and grapes (Vitis vinifera) - using remote sensing and GIS techniques. By integrating Google Earth Engine (GEE), CORINE Land Cover data, and cadastral records, we analyze land cover changes from 1996 to 2018, identifying vulnerable areas where deforestation and agricultural expansion intersect. Additionally, fuzzy aggregate AHP and zonal statistical methods are applied to assess land suitability for crop cultivation and reforestation. Our findings highlight regions where sustainable land management policies should be prioritized to balance agricultural development with forest conservation. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the need for adaptive land-use strategies that account for climate variability, urban expansion, and rural land degradation.