Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Survey and Study of Soil Drought Phenomenon in 2000 and 2023 by GIS in Sulaymaniyah and Halabja province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

https://doi.org/10.58928/ku25.16224
Volume 16, Issue 2 - Issue Serial Number 2
Spring 2025
Page 191-203
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Salim Neimat Azeez 1
Iraj Rahimi 1 2

1 Sjlaimani Polytechnic University- Bakrajo Technical Institute- Protected Cultivation

2 Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.

Abstract
Abstract
Drought is an environmental disaster worldwide, especially in countries with limited water resources and even other countries affected by this phenomenon. This study aims to conduct a spatial survey of drought signs and causes, monitor, map and evaluate the drought phenomenon using remote sensing and geographic information systems. The study has a great importance in knowing the time periods in which droughts occurred and predicting the upcoming dry periods in order to give a clear vision to decision makers to avoid the phenomenon of drought or to reduce its negative effects. The drought indicators normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference water index (NDWI) have been used for this purpose. Drought areas, vegetation cover and water bodies were calculated by analyzing and evaluating the effects of drought on soil, vegetation cover and water bodies in the study area. The results showed that drought areas increase towards the south of the study area. The study area was greatly affected by the drought phenomenon in 2000, and this can be observed when comparing the image of 2000 with the image of 2023, as the areas of barren lands were large in 2000, and the area of vegetation cover and the area of water bodies decreased. The desertification area decreased in 2023 compared to 2000, as the desertification area in 2000 was 16532.06 km2 or 15435.04 km2 or the desertification area in 2023. The evidence of the NDVI and the NDWI confirm the occurrence of drought in the study area in 2000.

Keywords

Key Words: Survey
Sulaymaniyah
Kurdistan Region
Drought
NDVI
NDWI
Subjects
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