A dynamic study of vegetation cover in the Bani Walid region between 1995 and 2025 using geomatics techniques - and its implications for agricultural development

Abstract

This study investigates the analysis of vegetation cover changes and distribution patterns in the Bani Walid region using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, which are considered among the most important modern geomatics tools for studying natural resources and monitoring environmental changes with high spatial and temporal accuracy. The study area holds significant environmental and economic importance due to the role of its valleys in supporting agricultural and pastoral activities, in addition to serving as seasonal water accumulation areas. However, these ecosystems face increasing challenges due to rainfall variability, climate change, and human activities such as overgrazing and urban expansion.

Vegetation cover represents a fundamental indicator for assessing ecosystem health; therefore, monitoring its changes over long periods is essential for understanding environmental degradation and desertification processes, as well as for developing effective strategies to achieve sustainable development. This study relies on satellite imagery and spatial data covering the period from 1995 to 2025, combined with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques to analyze spatial and temporal variations in vegetation cover and identify the factors influencing these changes.

The study aims to evaluate the condition of vegetation cover in the Bani Walid region, identify the patterns of change that have occurred, and analyze the relationship between vegetation dynamics and agricultural activities and productivity in the area. Furthermore, it seeks to provide an accurate spatial database that supports natural resource management and planning processes, while proposing appropriate strategies for improving agricultural land management and reducing environmental degradation. The significance of this research lies in the application of modern technologies to provide a scientific understanding of vegetation dynamics, contributing to effective environmental planning and achieving sustainable development in the Bani Walid region.