Decrease in the area of natural vegetation in southeastern Jabal Al Akhdar

Abstract

The natural vegetation cover in the southeast of the Green Mountain is experiencing a significant decline in its area, leading to environmental imbalance and widespread desertification. Through the analysis of two satellite images covering an area of approximately 6200 square kilometers during the period from 1987 to 2002, the total decrease reached about 351 square kilometers. The rate of decline for dense natural vegetation cover was around 15 square kilometers, with a reduction of approximately 151 square kilometers for moderately dense natural vegetation cover and about 158 square kilometers for very sparse natural vegetation cover. The natural vegetation cover in the northern valleys decreased by approximately 16 square kilometers, and in the southern valleys by about 11 square kilometers compared to their previous areas. This decline is attributed to unplanned agricultural expansion at the expense of natural vegetation, urban expansion, deforestation, overgrazing, pollution, recurring drought years, and other factors. If this trend continues, it will negatively impact the environmental balance and the economic activities of the local population in the coming years. Field studies matching the information obtained from satellite images with the actual conditions reveal the ongoing impact of deteriorating factors, posing a threat to exacerbate the desertification problem beyond manageable levels.