Population Growth and Land Use Dynamics along Urban–Rural Gradient

In this study we apply a spatial conditional logit model to determine factors influencingland cover change in three contiguous counties in West Georgia between 1992 and 2001using point (pixel) based observations of land characteristics. We found that accessibility topopulation and population growth affect not only development of rural lands andtransition between agricultural and forestry uses, but also influence changes between foresttypes. The model could be used to project land use–land cover change at watershed orsubwatershed level and thus serve as a valuable tool for county and city planners.