Regional Assessment of Landscape and Land Use Change in the Mediterranean Region

摘要: The ability to analyze and report changes in our environment relate them causative factors provides an important strategic capability environmental decision policy makers throughout the world. In this study, we linked land cover with human demographics natural phenomena, including rainfall. methodology presented here allows users locate map vegetation over large areas quickly inexpensively. Thus it assess undergoing change improve their positively respond or adapt change. Morocco was used as example were assessed a twenty-three-year period (1981–2003) using 8-km Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data derived from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). A regression model of NDVI time developed identify long-term trends for each pixel study area. Patches identified ArcView visualization specific areas. decreasing trend is indicator some type stress, either (e.g., drought, fire) anthropogenic excessive grazing, urban growth), that affects life-support function humans. Although only country case described approach has broad application * Address correspondence Maliha S. Nash, Deborah J. Chaloud, William G. Kepner, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office Research Development, 944 East Harmon Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119, USA ** Samuel Sarri, College Southern Department Philosophical Regional Studies, 333 Pavilion Center Drive,