Spatio-Temporal Monitoring of Land Surface Temperature in Rubber and Oil Palm Plantations: A Google Earth Engine-Based Analysis

Abstract The conversion of forest land cover to monoculture plantations, such as oil palm and rubber, is a significant environmental issue in Indonesia and has an impact on land surface temperature (LST) changes. This study aims to compare LST spatially and temporally between rubber plantations ( Hevea Brasiliensis ) and oil palm plantations ( Elaeis guineensis ) in Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan, an area where both types of plantations coexist. Using the Google Earth Engine platform and Landsat 8 satellite imagery data from Jan-Nov 2024 were analyzed to map and evaluate LST. The results of the time-series data analysis for 2024 revealed significant findings: rubber plantations consistently had a higher average LST (30°C) compared to oil palm plantations (29.45°C). This difference is due to complex biophysical mechanisms, particularly higher and more stable evapotranspiration rates in oil palm plantations, which result in more effective surface cooling. This study also confirmed a strong negative correlation between LST and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), where denser vegetation tends to have lower surface temperatures. These findings indicate that land conversion from rubber plantations to oil palm plantations, which is common due to economic factors, can result in local microclimate cooling effects.