ASSESSMENT OF VEGETATION COVER DYNAMICS AND ECOSYSTEM DEGRADATION IN THE ARAL SEA REGION USING GIS AND SATELLITE DATA
Keywords:
Aral Sea region, Karakalpakstan, GIS, satellite data, NDVI, NDWI, ecosystem degradation, vegetation cover, environmental monitoring, land degradation.Abstract
This study assesses vegetation cover dynamics and ecosystem degradation in the Aral Sea region of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, during 2021–2025 using Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies and satellite remote sensing data. The main objective was to identify spatial and temporal changes in vegetation cover, map environmentally degraded areas, and identify zones with potential for ecological recovery. Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery were considered for the analysis, together with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). GIS-based thematic mapping and multi-year comparison were used to characterize changes in vegetation and surface-water conditions. NDVI provides an indicator of vegetation condition, while NDWI supports the assessment of water availability and surface moisture. The proposed approach is particularly relevant to the Aral Sea region, where water scarcity, soil salinization, climate variability, desertification, and anthropogenic pressure interact. The results and methodological framework can support environmental monitoring, sustainable land management, ecosystem restoration planning, and the identification of priority areas for ecological rehabilitation in the Aral Sea region.
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