Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS in Studying Land Cover Trends and Conditions in the Middle Ziz Oasis, Morocco

Ali Essahlaoui, Abba Mohamed, Eddahby Lhou, Faouzi Mohamed, Larabi Abdelkader

Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Dhar El Mahraz, Fez, Morocco.
Laboratory LIMEN “Water Resources & Information Technology”, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Rabat, Morocco.
Research Group “Water Sciences and Environmental Engineering”, Laboratory of Geo-Engineering and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, My Isma?l University, Meknes, Morocco.

DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2013.47095                

Abstract

A better understanding of the changing patterns of land use and vegetation cover is a major concern for countries whose ecosystems are under severe degradation. Indeed, the dynamics of land have direct implications on the availability of natural resources. The palm grove, of oases of Errachidia region, plays an important role in the environmental, social and economic of this region. This research was conducted in the Ziz middle, which is affected by changes in the conditions and composition of land cover change. The application of remote sensing, geographic information systems and satellite imagery analysis with multi-temporal and spatial land use provides, for territorial managers, data updated and improved and a synopsis for effective management of natural resources. This research explores the possibility of identifying, monitoring and mapping land use change and land use on the dynamics of the palm grove in the past 40 years. Satellite images used are Landsat images and multi-temporal dates (MSS (1972), TM (1987), ETM + (2001, 2006 and 2011). These images were georeferenced and radiometrically corrected. In our study, the use of vegetation indices NDVI, SAVI and MASAVI, highlight the magnitude of changes in vegetation cover between 1972 and 2011. A regressive pronounced canopy is generally recognized in the Middle Ziz. This decline is explained by the combined effect of anthropic action (urbanization) and climatic conditions.

Keywords

Morocco; Remote Sensing; GIS; Ziz Watershed; Dynamic of Land Use; NDVI

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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