Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems for Change Detection in Agricultural Land Uses and Land Cover in Al-Suwaira District Center - Iraq

Abstract

The aim of the research is to detect spatial variation and temporal change of the classes of agricultural land use and land cover in the Al-Suwaira District Center - Iraq between 2001 and 2016, Using satellite imagery of Landsat 7 and 8 with the ETM + and OLI sensors, respectively. Using the US Geological Survey (USGS) to classify landuse and landcover using remote sensing. Through the integration of digital interpretation methods with the use of Digital Image Processing (ERDAS IMAGINE) programs, and visual interpretation using ArcGIS software and extension programs, And visual interpretation using the ArcGIS software and related software to reach the detection of change of agricultural land uses and land cover in the study area. The research reached a classification of agricultural land use and land cover (urban land and built areas, agricultural land, water, barren salinity land) up to the third level, with a total accuracy of 91%. Building of a geographic information system for the classes of agricultural land use and land cover in the study area between 2001 and 2016. The role of natural and human factors which led to the change of areas of the classes of agricultural land uses and land cover in the study area. The percentage of change in the area of urban land and built-up areas was 8%, the percentage of change in the area of winter crops was 29%, The percentage of change in area of summer crops was 30%, The percentage of change in the area of the summer and winter crops (multi) was 20%, The percentage of change in the area of fallow land was -34%, The percentage of change in water area was -2%, The percentage of change in the area of saline land and barren was -13%.