Changes in Green Spaces in Al-Qadisiyah Governorate

Abstract

reen spaces occupy a large area of ​​Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, and these areas have undergone some changes due to natural and human factors. This research analyzes the changes in these areas between 2013 and 2020. The study's results indicate that the total area of ​​vegetation cover in 2013 reached approximately 2,902 km², equivalent to 32.30% of the total area of ​​the study region. This placed the region at a moderate level of desertification at that time. However, this percentage did not remain constant, as the vegetation cover witnessed a significant decline by 2020, dropping to only 17.43%. This decrease resulted in a reduction of approximately 373 km² of vegetation cover, contributing to the region's transition to a high level of desertification.

The study also showed that in 2013, the sand cover in most districts of the study region was classified as having a low level of sand erosion, with the exception of Al-Hamza district, which recorded a high level of sand erosion, reflecting a high state of desertification. However, the situation changed in 2020, as the phenomenon of sand erosion expanded to include larger areas of the governorate, with a moderate degree of desertification recorded in most areas, such as in the districts of Diwaniyah and Afak, while a high degree of desertification was recorded in the district of Al-Shamiyah