Integrated remote sensing and GIS analysis of aridity, vegetation cover, and rainfall changes in Iraq

This paper presents a comprehensive spatiotemporal evaluation of aridity, land cover change, and precipitation variability from 2001 to 2024 in the context of Iraq. We used remotely sensed data from MODIS (NDVI), GLDAS potential evapotranspiration and in-situ precipitation records obtained from the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology to investigate the determinants of climate variability on environmental response across Iraq. Analyses were based on understanding annual aridity indices, seasonal rainfall variability, NDVI time series-based vegetation cover mapping and a link analysis between rainfall variability and vegetation growth. Spatial patterns and trends over time were processed and interpreted using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. Discussion Dealing with results reveals Here the correlation values (0.69–0.74) precipitation have a more powerful affect over vegetation cover in Iraq. Like the Vegetation cover values the covered area ranged from a minimum of (24,956.65 km² 6%) in 2008 to a maximum of (159,878.64 km² 37%) in 2019. It is also unveils that, between the first period (2001–2004) and the last period (2020–2024), vegetation cover increased by a 25%, and significant spatial and temporal variation in aridity across Iraq was also unveiled. The central and southern areas became increasingly dry, accompanied by a very marked loss of plant cover as the rains fell less often and for shorter periods. On the other hand, the climate remained relatively stable in the northern regions, and indications of improvement in vegetation.