Determining time heterogeneity of the manifestations of desertification in Baghdad by using GIS

  The college of agriculture at Baghdad University witnessed the discussion of master thesis submitted by the student “Zahraa Raed Ali” entitled (Determining time heterogeneity of the manifestations of desertification in Baghdad by using GIS). This study examined the use of remote sensing technology and geographic information systems to study and observe the manifestations of desertification and monitor changes happening in the nature of floor coatings in Baghdad province for the period (1976 – 2014) where Baghdad province is located at latitudes ( “35. 10 ’46 ˚33) – (” 04. 49 ’46 ˚32) north and Longitudes ( “29. 10 ’42 ˚43) – (” 77. 16 ’23 ˚44) and an area ( 455,500 ha). The study areas are used for a variety of purposes such as agricultural, urban areas for housing, engineering and industrial constructions. The results showed high delivery of electrical power (128.9 ds.m-1), high rate of exchange of sodium (15.36%) and there areas were not used for agriculture for being affected by salts. The results of spatial data slowed time change in the percentages of land covers and that the percentage of water bodies has declined with time then it increased in 2014 reaching to (2.1%). Also there was an increase in the rate of buildings class (16.6%, 21.2%, 23.5%, 25.7% and 17.5%) respectively for the years of study and this increase was equivalent with the increase taking place in the population of Baghdad province in the same period. The results indicated an increase in abandoned land (29.3%, 30.8%, 26.8%, 32.1%, 33.5%) for the years (1980, 1985, 1990, 2003 and 2014) respectively, accompanied by a decrease in agricultural land for weak plants from (203,926.8 ha) by (44.8%) in 1976 to (133,696 ha) by (29.4%) year in 2014 due to urbanization, as well as the degradation of agricultural lands because of the economic conditions that face the farmers that all led to leaving the land without cultivation in addition to salinization processes there.

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