نوع المستند : بحوث محکمة
المستخلص
الكلمات الرئيسية
الموضوعات الرئيسية
This research aims to classify land use in the Wadi Fatima basin, north of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, by studying the changes that have occurred in land use and vegetation cover using satellite imagery. The study analyzed satellite images between 1972 and 2022, where land use and vegetation cover were classified using Landsat satellite imagery for the years 1984, 1990, 2000, 2014, 2018, and 2022. It also detected the changes that occurred during that period. Additionally, the study analyzed images from the CORONA satellite, Sentinel-2 satellite, and imagery available on the Google Earth platform from 1972 to 2022 to study and track the environmental impacts that occurred during that period. The results show a successive expansion of urban areas between 1984 and 2022 in the Wadi Fatima basin. Urban expansion is evident in areas close to major cities such as northern Makkah Al-Mukarramah, the southeastern part of Jeddah in the western part of the basin, and the northwestern part of Taif in the upper part of the wadi. Regarding the central part of the basin, the results of land cover and land use classification indicate a noticeable expansion in the midstream area, represented by the Al-Jamum governorate and its surrounding villages, which have recently (after 2000) experienced rapid expansion. The results also show a change in natural vegetation, with bushes appearing prominently in the lower part of the wadi during 1984, but disappearing in subsequent years starting from 1990. The study demonstrated the importance of using satellite imagery in monitoring changes occurring on the Earth's surface, particularly in tracking changes in land use and vegetation cover. Satellite imagery enables tracking these changes, determining their timing and magnitude, and identifying the resulting situation. Consequently, it aids in better assessing potential impacts and making appropriate decisions. The study recommends establishing an environmental monitoring system for the Wadi Fatima basin area in general, and the area located in the lower part of the basin in particular, to ensure the environmental sustainability and the sustainability of its natural resources. There is also an urgent need for intervention to mitigate the negative environmental impacts resulting from the non-flow of the mainstream of the Wadi Fatima dam in the lower part of the basin, as the current environmental impacts may become more severe in the future, potentially increasing risks to the biotic environment and posing dangers that could affect human safety and health.
المراجع