Application of spectral indexes to SPOT images in the study of Iraq marshland

Immordino, F.;MELIS, MARIA TERESA

2008-01-01

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Abstract

Under the project coordinated by UNEP, "Support for Environmental Management of the Iraqi Marshlands", which is part of the Iraqi Marshlands Observation System (IMOS), other researchers were involved in the development of analytical techniques for the protection of this vast system with a high risk environmental degradation for intense activity. This is the southern sector of the alluvial plain of the Tigris and Eufrate. The climate of Mesopotamia is arid with an average annual rainfall ranging from 100 to 150 mm. The high summer temperatures lead a very high value of evapotranspiration summer as opposed to the events of flooding caused by winter rainfall on Anatolian and Zagros mountains (> 1000 mm). The purpose of this study is to propose a system of image processing SPOT for the recognition of the state of soil moisture surrounding the system of marshes, to be used as an investigative geomorphological tool to monitor changes in water levels. The results obtained in this first phase of the study make it possible to bring the sensor SPOT as a tool for monitoring, and the second phase of the study will lead to confrontation with one or a series of images acquired at different times (the image used was acquired on 23/07/2006 in the summer season with anhigh evapotranspiration and aridity of the system environment).