Areal Quantification Changes Assessment in Ibn Najm Marsh(southern Iraq) Using Multitemporal, Multisptial and Multispectral Satellite Images

Abstract

Iraq has had more than 10000 km2 of geographical low land areas called marshes.
Enriched with great diversity of natural vegetation and wild life. With increasing
climatic changes and passive man interference phenomena, vast areas of these
marshes have deteriorated through drying out processes at an alarming rate.
According to recent survey achieved by several Iraqi ministries marshes areas have
decreased to about quarter of theS original area. The statistical data and geospatial
information are weak. We monitored, assessed the environmental processes and
detect changes using digitally processed landsat MSS (Multispectral Scanner) and
Spot (System Pour Observation) satellite images that transform haur Ibn Najm
(marsh) into agricultural land as result of desiccation processes. Seasonal and longterm
changes are detected. Hydrological and terrain changes are studied .The
methodology of using multitemporal , multispatial and multispectral images is
currently being evaluated in this marsh ,by using land sat MSS data with (79x79m)
spatial resolution and spot data with (10x10m) spatial resolution , acquired between
1985 and 2002 respectively. The area of haur Ibn Najm has been calculated in both
images before and after drying out processes according to GIS (Geographic
information System) .Ground truth points have been plotted in the previous marsh
or present cultivated land by GPS (Global Positioning System) to support the
indisputable facts reached.