Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Associate Professor, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2 M.sc. of Combat Desertification, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Zabol, Iran
3 Research Instructor, Faculty of Geosciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
4 Research Instructor, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
Abstract
Detailed studies of vegetation in desert areas are almost difficult due to the limitations and conditions of these areas. Remote sensing technology with numerous capabilities can be used as an efficient method in these areas. This study was aimed to determine an appropriate vegetation index to assess vegetation changes in the desert area of West Karkheh over a period of 18 years using satellite images of TM (1991) and ASTER (2008). After measuring the canopy cover, geometric and atmospheric corrections, different methods of detection and classification were applied on the images with maximum likelihood method. Results showed that PVI2 index was the best indicator to produce vegetation changes map during the study. So based on this index, final map of desertification was produced in the three classes with no changes and rehabilitation. The results showed that canopy cover increased up to 17.5% of the total area during the study period due to the implementation of desertification projects in some parts of the region and combined cultivation. These changes were classified in two classes of rehabilitation (69.8%) and desertification (30.2%).
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