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Abstract
The objective of the study is to analyze the factors affecting natural forest cover change and fragmentation. The study used GIS-based spatial data analysis and remote sensing method. Three image scenes of the Landsat 5 TM in 2005 and the Landsat 8 OLI in 2015 and 2020 used to identify natural forest cover change and fragmentation in Nam Dong district for the period 2005 - 2015 and 2015 - 2020. The results showed that natural forest area has decreased from 76.77% in 2005 to 75.41% in 2015 and 73.79% in 2020. The percentages of natural forest and forest fragmentation area changed for the period 2005-2015 and 2015-2020 were 0.41%; 1.77% and 1.93%; 2.32% respectively. Factors identified that have the greatest impact on natural forest cover change and fragmentation from 2005 to 2020, including natural forests with elevation above sea level (≤ 300 m), slope (≤ 150), access to the nearest roads (≤ 2.000 m), rivers and streams (≤ 1.000 m) and the nearest residential area (≤ 4.000 m), evergreen broadleaf forest-growth, mixed timber and bamboo forest, evergreen broadleaf forest-poor, forest edge, isolated forest belonging to production and protection forests were managed by the Commune People's Committees and the Management Boards of Community Forest. The study results will help forestry managers to propose effective solutions for natural forest protection and management in Nam Dong district, Thua Thien Hue province in the future.