Environmental Assessment of the Soils of Al-Muqdadiyah District in Diyala Governorate Using Spectral Indicators and Indices

Abstract

Soil is an important subject as it is a fundamental component of the environment, especially considering the global information revolution and digital technologies, which have provided a realistic view for detecting soil degradation. This study relied on using spectral indices to infer soil quality in the Muqdadiya District of Diyala Governorate. It employed a range of ideas using geographical techniques (Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing). The study area covered 478 km², making it the second-largest district in Diyala after the governorate center.
Several indices were used to assess the environmental condition of the study area, including the Bare Soil Index (BI) and the Normalized Difference Salinity Index (NDSI), over two time periods (2010-2023). The results revealed an expansion in the barren land area, which reached 160 km², accounting for 33.6% in 2010, whereas it increased to 292 km², constituting 55.4% of the total area in 2023.
Regarding soil salinity, slightly saline lands covered 20 km² (3% of the total study area) in 2010. By 2023, the index showed an increase in saline lands to 221 km², or 40%, due to various human and natural factors.