USING REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) IN SEQUENCES STUDY TO AL-HAMMAR MARSH/ SOUTH OF IRAQ FOR THE PERIOD (1973-2010)

Abstract

Abstract The Hammar Marsh natural reservoir to control water in the lower part of Euphrates river, and the water floods the Tigris river that comes to him through the marshes of Qurna through holes pipes and bridges built on the road Chabaish .It Represents the largest low-surface water, and has important economic in fodder supplying ,raw materials and fisheries. It has an effect in softening the climate of the region, in addition to historical significance as the most important civilizations such asthe Sumerian civilization (275-3000BC).Hammar has been changed in the natural environment by impact of natural factors .which is heat which is combined with the lack of rain and human factors for example establishment of dams and reservoirs, and irrigation projects on the Tigris and Euphrates, and effect drying operation is: drying the West Qurna oil fields and the central road that runs through the marsh from the north to the south,and drying area Shafi based on military requirements and the preparation of the theater of operations and the closure of Shafi and Ghamaj river ,and identification of the western and southern edge of the marsh broach path general river mouth Tigris - Euphrates.Satellite images were used (Raw Images) and classified in the program Erdas and production of maps by use geographic information systems(GIS)by the Arc Map program v.9.3 for comparison of the Hammar for the period between the years (1973-2006),was to rely on satellite images of the type of land sat -MSS as the available images covering the period between the years (1972-1986) and the ability of discrimination low 80 m, and satellite images of the type of land sat-TM and the ability of discrimination 30mforthe period between (1986-1990) critical represents the stage beginning of operations drying, and satellite images of the type of land sat ETM+ and the ability of discrimination 30m for the period between(2000-2002). The phase after drying ,while the animation phase has been to rely on Japanese seneors (unep modis sunser) for lack of space imagery satellite land sat ,for the period(2006-2010)and ability of discrimination 250 m ,have been classified through the ecocnaction program.Changed have been observed in the Marsh by the affect of human factors and natural calculates the area of vegetation and open display water with expose total area of Marsh using Erdas program, showed the results of the study was significantly reduced in the area of Marsh for the period between (1990-2000) dramatically, and the change after this period was not balanced because of Marshland affection crisis of water, and did not refresh fully whereof foreshadow environmental disaster and humanitarian emergence of signs of desertification change climate of the region, and the disappearance of many of the water biology and the migration of population and loss of economic wealth, most important fisheries, as well as the population of Marsh depend on reeds and papyrus as fodder and raw materials within the industries, and their inability to grow certain crops which fit the marshland environment, for example, barley, oats, rice, and others.