Multi-Parameter Assessment of Land Degradation Vulnerability in Ranya and Pshdar Regions Using Geospatial Techniques

Kaifi Chomani, Civil Engineering Department, University of Raparin, Ranya, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Kurdistan Region, IraqFollow

Keywords

Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), Geographic information systems (GIS), Remote sensing, Ranya

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Land degradation poses a significant threat to the stability of the ecological and socio-environmental characteristics of the Ranya and Pshdar (RP) region in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The fragile environmental and physical dynamics of the RP regions make it considerably vulnerable to land degradation. This study integrates remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to address this issue, as these techniques provide a robust framework for mapping land degradation vulnerability in the RP regions of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Ten critical environmental and physical parameters were analyzed and considered to model land degradation vulnerability in the Ranya and Pshdar region. The findings classified the region into five risk levels: very low, low, medium, high, and very high. Notably, 9.7% (107.2 km2) and 4.6% (98.3 km2) of the study area were categorized as highly and very highly vulnerable to degradation, respectively. This study effectively contributes to more sustainable land management and provides important insights for policymakers and environmental researchers to develop effective strategies for land conservation and to mitigate risks associated with land degradation.

Recommended Citation

Chomani, Kaifi (2026) "Multi-Parameter Assessment of Land Degradation Vulnerability in Ranya and Pshdar Regions Using Geospatial Techniques," Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning: Vol. 25: Iss. 2, Article 5.