Spatial dynamics of land degradation in Algeria’s central high plateaus and the green dam belt using sentinel-2 imagery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.5308Keywords:
High plateaus, green dam, Overgrazing, NDVI, LDIAbstract
The Central high plateaus of Algeria represent a critical pastoral ecosystem currently threatened by accelerating land degradation. This study investigates the spatial dynamics of land degradation from 2000 to 2025, a period marked by significant climatic shifts and socio-economic pressures. Utilizing multi-sensor satellite imagery (Sentinel-2) alongside climate data, we employed the Albedo-NDVI feature space models and the Desertification Vulnerability Index (DVI). Overgrazing intensity was quantified by analyzing the deviation between potential and Land Degradation Index (LDI). Preliminary findings indicate a systematic expansion of degraded areas, with a 15% increase in high-severity desertification zones. A strong spatial correlation was observed between livestock density peaks and vegetation browning trends, particularly in the steppic transitions. While cyclical droughts exacerbated soil erosion and Sand Encroachment, overgrazing was also identified as the primary driver of irreversible botanical composition changes.The findings provide a high-resolution mapping of environmental vulnerability, offering a robust diagnostic tool for regional policymakers. This research underscores the urgent need for adaptive rangeland management strategies to mitigate the dual impact of anthropogenic pressure and climate change in the drylands of Algeria.
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