INTEGRATED MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF LAND DEGRADATION USING GIS AND REMOTE SENSING IN SAMARKAND REGION, UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

This study addresses the critical challenge of land degradation in Uzbekistan's Samarkand region by developing a comprehensive GIS and remote sensing framework for the quantitative and qualitative assessment of land resources. The methodology employed time-series analysis of Sentinel-2 and Landsat satellite imagery (2022-2024), processed using the Spectral Analyst tools in ArcGIS and the Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin in QGIS. Key indicators, including land use change, salinization, and erosion, were evaluated by applying the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and analyzing Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). The results reveal a statistically significant annual average increase in soil salinization of 4–6% and a notable expansion of eroded areas, particularly in the foothills. Degradation hotspots were precisely delineated through automated digital zoning. The study demonstrates that the integration of GIS-based monitoring is critical for developing sustainable land management strategies and effective rehabilitation practices. The proposed framework offers a replicable and cost-effective model for land resource assessment in arid and semi-arid regions globally.