Page 96 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

The use of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Technologies in
Combating Desertification and Erosion

Another constituent is the human enabling the effective use of GIS technology.
Spatial data are collected from various sources (satellites, aerial photographs,
GPS devices, etc.). These data are organised and stored using GIS software
(ArcGIS, Netcad, QGIS, etc.), and relationships and patterns between the data
are indicated. The data are then visualised via maps, graphs and reports and
presented to the user, and they are used as a decision support system in a
great number of areas such as environmental management, urban planning,
disaster management, agriculture, transportation (Uça Avcı et al., 2015).
Remote sensing (RS) is the technology of obtaining and analysing
spectral, spatial and temporal data on the earth and resources on it using
electromagnetic waves through sensors located in space without requiring
any physical contact with the earth (Ramachandra & Kumar, 2004). Remote
sensing is based on the collection of data by sensing the energy reflected
or emitted on the earth by satellites and aerial vehicles. Through the image
processing techniques, the collected data are subject to filtering, image quality
improvement and geometric transformation. All these data are categorised
and analysed for accuracy, and the reliability of the results are checked.
Remote sensing technologies are used in many fields such as cartography,
forestry, environmental monitoring, geology, urban planning and hydrology
(Özenen-Kavlak et al., 2022)
The use of GIS and RS technologies dates back to the mid-20th century.
A joint US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/United
States Geological Survey (USGS) programme launched the Landsat earth
observation satellite, providing detailed images of the earth’s surface
(Chaminé et al., 2021; Navalgund et al., 2007). In the 1970s and beyond, GIS
and RS technologies began to develop as the capacity of computers to process
geographic data improved. These technologies are also useful in many areas
in Türkiye and are used in an integrated manner in desertification and erosion
monitoring studies. Thus, more comprehensive and accurate analyses can be
performed (Duman & İrcan, 2022; Karagöz et al., 2017). Satellite images can
detect changes in vegetation cover, soil moisture and land surface conditions,
and critical indicators of desertification and erosion. GIS can then analyse
these changes over time, identify the trends and forecast future impacts.
This combination can help in planning and implementing effective land
management and conservation strategies (Chaminé et al., 2021)
In this context, the studies in the literature were reviewed and the potential
of geographical information systems and remote sensing technologies in
combating desertification and erosion was demonstrated.

83
Special Issue / 2024