Using Remote Sensing Data to Study the Dynamics of Earth's Surface Temperature and its Response to Changes in Land Cover of Iraqi Marshes in the South Using GIS

Abstract

Temperature levels are a crucial environmental indicator influenced by land cover and continuous changes. Therefore, extraction processes are the most suitable method for deriving Land Surface Temperature (LST). Remote sensing image techniques are used due to their continuous monitoring of the surface. To study the changes in land cover and temperature responses in the marshlands of southern Iraq, multispectral Landsat images from August (1986, 2000, 2014, and 2023) were used to estimate land cover changes and LST responses.

Differences were observed throughout the study period. The year 1986 had the lowest decrease in temperature compared to other years due to the rejuvenation of the area, while the highest increase was in 2000, resulting from forced drying processes in the region. In 2014, the temperatures were better than the previous year due to the return of water to the area. However, in 2023, the temperature increased compared to the previous year due to the closure of water outlets from upstream countries affecting Iraq in general and the study area specifically.

The impact of land cover on cooling and warming in the area depends on the type of cover and its percentage of area.