Impact of climate and analysis of desertification processes in semi arid land in Algeria: using data of Alsat-1 and Landsat

Abstract. The degradation of natural resources in arid and semi-arid areas was highlighted dramatically during this century due to population growth and transformation of land use systems. The Algerian steppe has undergone a regression over the past decade due to drought cycle, the extension of areas cultivated in marginal lands, population growth and overgrazing. These phenomena have led to different degradation processes, such as the destruction of vegetation, soil erosion, and deterioration of the physical environment. In this study, the work is mainly based on the criteria for classification and identification of physical parameters for spatial analysis, and multi-sources factors to determine the vulnerability of steppe formations and their impact on desertification. To do this, we used satellite data Alsat-1 (2009) IRS (2009) and LANDSAT TM (2001). These cross-sectional data with exogenous information could monitor the impact of the semi arid ecological diversity of steppe formations. A hierarchical process including the supervised image classification was used to characterize the main steppe formations. An analysis of the vulnerability of plant was conducted to assign weights and identify areas most susceptible to desertification. Vegetation indices combined with classification are used to characterize the forest and steppe formations to determine changes in land use. The results of this present study provide maps of different components of the steppe, formation that could assist in highlighting the magnitude of the degradation pathways, which affects the steppe environment, allowing an analysis of the process of desertification in the region.