Dynamics Analysis of Surface Temperature and Vegetation Index in Settlement Area around the Lokon Volcano, Tomohon, North Sulawesi

摘要

Mount Lokon is an active mountain near residential areas such as cities Tomohon, Tondano, and Manado. Along with the increasing population and population development around Mount Lokon, vegetation is decreasing due to converting land from grassland to land use for human activities. Using Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS images, this study was conducted to analyze the surface temperature and vegetation index dynamics around Mount Lokon, including the residential areas. Found that an increase in mean temperature occurred, and the peak increased dramatically in 2018 with temperatures > 26˚C. This result, of course, correlates with the decreasing vegetation area. However, the decline occurred in 2020 due to decreased human activities and land clearing for new settlements caused by activity restrictions which were the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reforestation efforts must be made to increase the vegetation around Mount Lokon, including residential areas. The average surface temperature can be controlled, and living creatures can be given comfort to living things around them even after the pandemic and human activities return to normal.