Analyzing the relationship between land prices and vegetation density in South Korea

Abstract

Land prices and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) serve as crucial indicators in economics and natural science, respectively. This study aims to investigate the relationship between these two indices. Jointly examining land prices and NDVI is essential for policymakers who must weigh economic development against ecological preservation within a single framework. The vector format land price data and rasterformat NDVI values were combined using a point-sampling technique. K-means clustering was then applied to this integrated dataset, classifying 249 counties in South Korea into four clusters. An inverse relationship was identified between the two indices, suggesting that urban development may undermine environmental conservation. Notably, one cluster of eight counties exhibited both high land prices and high vegetation, making these areas attractive to both residents and investors. Conversely, another cluster, with low land prices and low vegetation, underscored the challenges faced by rural counties in South Korea. Prior studies have typically focused on land prices or NDVI values independently within their respective domains. The interdisciplinary approach of this study is expected to provide insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to balance urbanization with rural conservation.