Spatial targeting of land rehabilitation: a relational analysis of cropland productivitiy decline in arid Uzbekistan

摘要: Irrigated croplands of Central Asia are highly prone to land degradation due their fragile physical settings and extensive agricultural use. Current remote-sensing data spatio-temporal analyses allow for detecting regional trends in a decline relating them underlying factors which is important developing mitigation strategies. This study aimed (1) assess the cropland’s state large irrigated areas northern Uzbekistan based on time series MODIS NDVI images, (2) relate trend its including soil quality, terrain, population density use, (3) synthesize results provide recommendation spatial targeting rehabilitation measures. An NDVI-based assessment revealed significant productivity across 23.13% (94834.90 ha) arable area region. The degraded cropland, located high pressure characterized by better-quality soils, should be prioritized For found poor-quality soils low density, depending severity degradation, decision has made whether vacant from agriculture or continue cultivation if latter an economically viable option.