An Overview of the Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques Application to Detect Changes in the Surface Area of Water Bodies in Iraq

Abstract

The use of Remote Sensing data in monitoring water bodies and reservoirs is a new and advanced approach that helps to study large areas covered by water in a short time and at a reasonable amount compared to traditional methods. Accordingly, the Remote Sensing technique integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has been used in several studies to monitor changes in water surface body area locally and regionally. In this study, several studies in Iraq were reviewed, using Remote Sensing techniques with the help of GIS to detect changes in the areas covered by the water bodies using satellite images captured in different periods. Natural and artificial lakes represent a large proportion of the water bodies in Iraq, including eight (8) lakes distributed in different regions of Iraq. An evaluation of the hydrological system of the studied water bodies showed that the changes in the area and size of natural and artificial lakes are affected by political, economic, and climatic conditions as the areas increase and decrease over years.