Evaluation of wetlands in the Al-Hammar marsh of Southern Iraq using GIS long-term spatiotemporal changes and environment

Wetlands in Southern Iraq, especially the Al-Hammar Marshes, have undergone significant spatiotemporal changes between 1990 and 2024 due to both anthropogenic and natural factors. These changes pose critical challenges to the preservation of this unique ecosystem. The research problem lies in understanding the extent of these transformations and their underlying causes, including policies of marsh drainage, climate change, and land-use alterations, which collectively threaten the sustainability of the marshes. To address this problem, we employed advanced GIS and remote sensing techniques, utilizing Landsat satellite imagery and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to analyze and quantify changes in vegetation cover, water bodies, and bare soil. ArcGIS tools were extensively used to develop thematic maps and monitor long-term environmental trends. The results reveal a sharp decline in the extent of wetlands, with water bodies and vegetation decreasing significantly over the study period, particularly after 2015. While GIS applications in climate change monitoring are widely accessible, the novelty of this study lies in its detailed spatiotemporal analysis that integrates hydrological, climatic, and land-use factors to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Al-Hammar Marshes. Additionally, the paper offers a tutorial-style approach to using ArcGIS functions for similar ecological studies, making it a practical guide for researchers and practitioners. However, the conclusions emphasize the urgent need for holistic strategies to restore and protect wetlands, extending beyond general scientific axioms to actionable recommendations.