Monitoring land use change in the Badia transition zone in Jordan using aerial photography and satellite imagery

Detection of land use change makes a valuable contribution to the planning and monitoring of drylands. Land use changes at four sites within the Badia transition zone of Jordan were investigated and quantified over the period from 1953 to 1992 using black and white aerial photographs and SPOT PAN satellite imagery digitally merged with Landsat TM. Land use interpretation was checked in the field, and analysed using a Geographical Information System (GIS). Results indicated that land use changes have altered the character of the selected study sites. The important land use changes were from rangeland to rain‐fed cultivation, irrigated fields and urban settlements. The increased agricultural activity was reflected in the land use maps through the 39‐year period with the appearance of irrigated fields between 1978 and 1992. The land use changes are mainly attributed to the high population growth rate in Jordan and in the Badia, socio‐economic change amongst Beduoin and farmers, the land tenure system and to a minor extent environmental factors.