Introduction - Historical Land Use/Land Cover Classification Using Remote Sensing - page 6

over multiple time periods. Remote sensing also results in a realistic depiction of
land use, by providing a spatial dimension.
Many kinds of data supply, especially spatial data on the dynamics of LULC,
are poor and thus insufficient. Nevertheless, extended knowledge on the state and
changes of LULC is needed in order to support the implementation of sustainable
strategies of regional development. Spatial information is the basis for various
planning tasks. This information could be obtained by application of the remote
sensing techniques.
This monograph discusses four basic themes in the study area: the mapping of
land use and natural cover; development mapping of irrigated areas; the mapping
of the distribution of irrigated agricultural crops, especially strategic crops; and
mapping, monitoring and study of the changes in land use and natural landscape
during the last 30 years. The questions this research poses and answers are:
Which automatic classification technique or approach is the best for the study
area?
How can land use/land cover be mapped using different data from remote
sensing instruments in arid and semi-arid regions?
How can remote sensing be applied to the mapping and monitoring of the
spatial expand in the irrigated projects constructed in the Euphrates River Basin in
Syria?
How can remote sensing be applied to the mapping of irrigated agricultural
crops in arid and semi-arid regions?
Can mapping and monitoring aid understanding of land use/land cover changes
over time by using the remote sensing concept in arid and semi-arid regions?
1.2 Significance of the Study
The importance of this research stems from the location of the study, the Euphrates
River Basin. This basin is one of the most important areas and territories in Syria,
containing the important elements of life: stability, food and water. The basin
contains more than 80 % of the total water resources of the country. It is the food
basket of Syria, and is made up of three provinces: Aleppo, Arraqqa and Deir
Azzour. These agricultural provinces contain 34 % of the total population of Syria,
38.4 % of the total area of Syria and 37.4 % of the total arable land. Some 40.2 %
of the country's total irrigated areas are found in these three provinces and almost
half of the population that live there work in the agriculture sector. The equivalent
of 37.67 % of the total acreage is planted with wheat, 51.27 % of the area in
barley, 92.50 % in yellow corn (maize), 58.79 % cotton, 49.63 % sugar beet and
49.92 % watermelon.