Quantifying land degradation and desertification in semi-arid regions through environmental monitoring and assessment (A case study of the Imiter area, Toudgha River catchment, Morocco)

Abstract

This study focuses on the spatiotemporal drought analysis in the driest region of southeastern Morocco, specifically the Imiter region within the eastern Anti Atlas region. The region has witnessed various climate change events in recent years, necessitating a comprehensive investigation of the relationship between climate and environmental conditions. To achieve this, Landsat 7, 8 and 9 satellite data were utilized for drought analysis. Additionally, satellite-based drought indices including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), were employed to assess the extent of drought evolution. Over a period of two decades (from 1998 to 2022), 24 annual spatial maps were generated for each index to identify the most affected areas. The analysis of NDVI and VCI from 1998 to 2011 revealed significant year-to-year variability, attributed to various factors such as declining piezometric levels, deforestation and mining activities. These findings contribute to a better understanding of drought dynamics in the study area and highlight the importance of monitoring environmental conditions for effective drought management and mitigation strategies.