A doctoral thesis at Basra University discusses (mapping desertification in Wasit Governorate using modern geographic techniques)
A doctoral thesis in the Department of Geography in the College of Education for Human Sciences at the University of Basra discusses (the cartographic representation of the desertification phenomenon in Wasit Governorate using modern geographic techniques) by the student (Muhammad Atakhikh Mahud).
I took up the thesis. (The efficiency of modern geographic technologies in using statistical methods and mapping, analyzing satellite visuals with different dates, using methods and methods of processing them and preparing them for extracting information and reaching the extent of the possibilities available to uncover the phenomenon of desertification and its risks in terms of accuracy in its drawing, and its ability to store, process, display, retrieve and extract geographical information, This allowed the use of these techniques in order to design objective maps (desertification maps) for the study area to form a nucleus and an applied study that would facilitate the decision-makers in finding appropriate solutions to environmental problems).
The thesis aims to show the spatial relationships between natural and human geographical characteristics and their impact on shaping the phenomenon of desertification in Wasit Governorate, as well as employing modern geographic techniques in detecting the manifestations of desertification and monitoring its changes in Wasit Governorate through the use of spectral indicators (Indices), in addition to identifying methods of cartographic representation. The phenomenon of desertification in the study area, through the application of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) in designing and producing digital desertification maps and representing data for the study area, so that it can be updated continuously in the event that recent information is available for the study area, whether it is Spatial or descriptive information.
The thesis concluded a set of results, the most important of which is that desertification map is one of the most important types of objective maps that overlap a set of natural and human factors in its production, and each has a suitable method, means and method in its representation, in addition to the possibility of modern geographic techniques in representing desertification maps and their effective role in modeling and analyzing them with high accuracy In addition to the integration between the programs of geographic technologies and the diversity of digital processing methods, it gave great flexibility in analyzing and processing satellite visuals and calculating digital indicators and evidence. Finally, the study demonstrated the use of spectral indicators of desertification manifestations that have a high and accurate potential in identifying and controlling desertification in the study area.
The thesis recommended (the use of modern technology for geographic information systems and remote sensing in the study of desertification maps due to its success in providing a huge amount of accurate and fast information on representing the manifestations of desertification, determining their risk levels and revealing their changes. Therefore, geographical studies, especially cartography, should be directed towards modern geographic technologies in the production and design. Maps, instead of traditional methods, to ensure for them accurate analysis, speed and reduce time and effort, as well as the development of digital indicators and evidence for monitoring and detecting environmental problems in dry, semi-arid, and even semi-humid areas through specialized studies and experiments in applying these evidence to a teacher interpretation. Specific only in addition to establishing a center for combating desertification in the study area and providing it with the necessary equipment to monitor the manifestations of desertification, and to benefit from the scientific conferences that are concerned with the problem of desertification and the research that was presented in the seminars in order to reach the appropriate solutions to that problem.
