Desertification Assessment in Narmashir Region Using Desertification Degree Index (DDI)

Feyzolahpour, Mehdi

doi:10.22111/jneh.2025.50889.2098

Desertification Assessment in Narmashir Region Using Desertification Degree Index (DDI)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Mehdi Feyzolahpour

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

10.22111/jneh.2025.50889.2098

Abstract

Desertification is one of the most destructive environmental phenomena globally. Remote sensing data and techniques offer valuable information for desertification mapping and assessment. Desertification is a particularly grave environmental threat in Iran, especially in the southeastern parts of the country. This research was conducted to map the degree of desertification in the Narmashir region of Kerman province in 2023 using Landsat 8 satellite imagery. Initially, the Tasseled Cap Transformation (TCT) method was used to extract three indices: Tasseled Cap Brightness (TCB), Tasseled Cap Greenness (TCG), and Tasseled Cap Wetness (TCW). Next, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and albedo were estimated. Subsequently, linear regression analysis was performed on the combinations of TCG-TCB, NDVI-albedo, and TCW-TCB. The results showed a strong negative correlation between TCW and TCB and a very weak correlation between NDVI and albedo. The highest positive correlation was observed between TCW and TCG. Based on the highest correlation values and the regression relationship between TCW and TCB, a Desertification Degree Index (DDI) was created for desertification grading. The DDI was divided into five desertification classes: very low, low, medium, high, and very high. Based on this, only of the studied area exhibited very high desertification intensity, and showed high desertification intensity. The overall accuracy of this index was found to be. Due to its simplicity and high capability, this method is highly effective for managing and protecting arid and semi-arid lands.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Environmental Hazards

References

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