Comparative land use and environmental responses in semi-arid and coastal Andhra Pradesh, India

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes exert significant influence on ecosystem functioning and regional climate dynamics, particularly in environmentally sensitive semi-arid and coastal regions. This study provides a comparative spatio-temporal assessment of LULC transformations and environmental responses in Kadapa (semi-arid) and Nellore (coastal) districts of Andhra Pradesh, India, during 2017–2024. Using integrated multi-sensor remote sensing datasets—Sentinel-2 LULC classifications, MODIS-derived Land Surface Temperature (LST), and Landsat-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI)—we examine how anthropogenic and climatic pressures shape ecosystem processes. Results highlight distinct environmental trajectories: Kadapa experienced substantial agricultural expansion (866.5–2565.7 km 2 ) amid persistent dominance of barren land, while Nellore showed gradual agricultural intensification with stronger hydrological resilience. Both regions displayed consistent east–west thermal gradients and a clear thermal hierarchy (Barren > Built-up > Agriculture > Forest > Water), with Nellore exhibiting higher mean LST and evident Urban Heat Island effects. From 2017–2024, Kadapa showed strong vegetation recovery (peaking 2021–22) despite east–west disparity, while Nellore suffered stress in 2020–22 with only partial rebound, highlighting their differing resilience. NDWI trends indicated chronic water scarcity in Kadapa, compared to comparatively stable moisture conditions in Nellore. Pearson correlation analysis showed in both Kadapa and Nellore strong negative relationships between LST and NDVI and between LST and NDWI, and a strong positive relationship between NDVI and NDWI. Observed LULC and environmental dynamics were appear to be influenced by socio-economic drivers, including urban expansion, irrigation development, and agricultural intensification. These findings demonstrate that semi-arid ecosystems face heightened land degradation and water stress, while coastal ecosystems demonstrate relative environmental resilience. The study contributes region-specific insights essential for sustainable land and water management policies tailored to contrasting climatic and geographic contexts in developing regions. • Comparative spatio-temporal analysis of semi-arid (Kadapa) and coastal (Nellore) ecosystems (2017–2024). • Multi-index remote sensing assessment integrating LULC, LST, NDVI, and NDWI. • Distinct patterns of land cover transitions, vegetation health, and water availability identified. • Evidence-based recommendations proposed for region-specific sustainable land management.