Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society 1–10 © The Author(s) 2016 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0270467616668075 bst.sagepub.com Article Quantitative measurements of landscape pattern have been in use since the 1980s. It refers to the mappable, spatial arrangement of habitats for which some/many quantitative indices have been proposed (Forman, 1995a; Forman & Godron, 1986; Krummel, Gardner, Sugihara, O’Neill, & Coleman, 1987; McGarigal & Marks, 1995; O’Neill et al., 1988; Turner & Gardner, 1991). Thus, a study on landscape fragmentation and disturbance may have implications for land management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management which can affect a variety of population and community processes over a range of spatial and temporal scales (Cayuela, Golicher, Benayas, Gonzalez-Espinosa, & Ramirez-Marcial, 2006; Debinski & Holt, 2000; Fahrig, 2003; Saunders, Hobbs, & Margules, 1991). Furthermore, it is suitable to identify the trends and consequences of the landscapes due to anthropogenic activities at a broad spatial scale using modern geospatial technologies (Bierregaard, Gascon, Lovejoy, & Mesquita, 2001; Koop & Tole, 2001). In this regard, landscape ecological approach, which is a multi- dimensional discipline developed on the notion that environ- mental patterns strongly influence ecological processes (Collinge & Forman, 1998; Forman, 1995b; Turner, 1989), is being used widely in the developed countries and may be a useful tool for such analyses in the Southeast Asian tropical region. The modern approach of landscape ecology links natural sciences with related human sciences and human activities such as landscape patterns, processes, and changes and its impacts (Bennett, 1998; Jongman, 2007). With the expansion of civilization, human beings tend to damage lands, natural areas, and ecosystems, whether in search of food or fulfilment of other needs. Degraded land and ecosystems are therefore to be found in all parts of the world and the degradation increases with the gradual expan- sion of so-called human civilization and human domination (Biro, Pradhan, Buchroithner, & Makeschin, 2013; Foreman, 2004). Among the causes of biodiversity extinctions, the 668075BST XX X 10.1177/0270467616668075Bulletin of Science, Technology & SocietyReza research-article 2016 1 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Corresponding Author: Mohammad Imam Hasan Reza, Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI), Institute for Environment and Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Email: rezamih@gmail.com; reza@ukm.edu.my Southeast Asian Landscapes Are Facing Rapid Transition: A Study in the State of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia Mohammad Imam Hasan Reza 1 Abstract Southeast Asian landscapes have been shifting from natural landscapes to the modified landscapes at a rate faster than ever. Ecological integrity is under tremendous pressure due to the anthropogenic developmental activities. Little attention, however, has been paid to identify the major underlying causes of this rapid landscape transformation. This article discusses these issues from the point of view of a landscape ecologist. Landsat TM 30 m satellite images of 1988, 1996, and Landsat ETM+ 30 m image of 2005 were classified using ERDAS Imagine 9.2. Vector-based Landscape Analysis Tools Extension software was used in analyzing landscape patterns. Landscape size and shape metrics have revealed that the main transformation occurred in the first period (between the years 1988 and 1996) which was due to the rapid extension of the commercial agriculture. However, in the second period (between the year 1996 and 2005), the main driver of rapid landscape transformation occurred due to the expansion of urban areas, transportation networks, housing, and township. The pace of developmental activities breaks all previous records at a faster rate in the second period as compared with the first. These findings will provide necessary information about the driving forces which have a potential use for sustainable management decision processes. Additionally, results and data on landscape patterns may help scientists, academics, and researchers in further study. They can also be of potential use for the sustainable management of natural resources, urban planning, and livable green cities. Keywords conservation planning, landscape spatial pattern, landscape transformation, sustainable management, sustainable cities by guest on September 9, 2016 bst.sagepub.com Downloaded from