Abstract
Geospatial analysis of land use and land cover (LULC) changes is crucial for understanding the dynamics of urban development and its impacts on the environment. This study presents an integrated approach utilizing Re-mote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to detect and analyze LULC changes over the past 40 years in the Amman Zarqa Basin in Jordan. The study employed satellite imagery from multiple sensors, including Landsat and Sentinel, covering a span of four decades (1980-2020). LULC classifications were performed using supervised and unsupervised classification methods, considering a range of LULC categories relevant to the study area. The results revealed significant LULC changes in the Basin over the study period. Urban expansion was found to be the dominant driver of land transformation, leading to the conversion of agricultural land, soil, and open spaces into built-up areas. The urban growth rate exhibited an accelerating trend, particularly during the past two decades, reflecting rapid population growth and urbanization in the region. Ground truthing technique was used to validate the results using 200 points distributed over the basin, the confusion matrix ranges from 79 to 85%, which reveals high accuracy. This research serves as a foundation for future studies on urban growth, land management, and environmental impact assessments, supporting sustainable development in the Amman Zarqa Basin and similar regions facing rapid urbanization.
Introduction
Remote Sensing (RS) analysis is an effective source of data that is used broadly for detecting changes in land cover and land use (LULC) in the late decades. Accurate land surface features are crucial for understanding the relationship between natural and human effects on land surface. The rapid increase in population and human activities is increasing the need for limited land, soil, water, and other natural resources. Detection of LULC refers to the process of identifying and mapping changes in the type and use of land over a given period. Land cover refers to the physical features of the Earth's surface, such as forests, grasslands, and urban areas. Land use refers to how land is used or managed, such as for agriculture, residential development, or conservation. This tool is very useful in decision-making, urbanization, earth science, and ecological studies. Remote sensing observation has shown a vital role in the monitoring and evaluation of LULC changes temporally and spatially (Ding, Li, et al., 2018). Urban growth is a global phenomenon, accelerating rapidly, particularly in developing countries. The high rate of unmanaged urbanization and resulting low-density urban sprawl pose severe challenges to major cities worldwide, primarily contributing to haphazard land use changes and agricultural loss (Al-Rashid, Nadeem, et al., 2021).
In recent decades, the Amman Zarqa Basin in Jordan has experienced significant urbanization and land use changes driven by population growth, industrialization, and urban development. These expansions seriously affect the environment, water resources, and sustainable land management. An integrated approach combining remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has emerged as a powerful tool to monitor and analyze the evolving landscape effectively, (Mohammad, Odeh, et al., 2021). Remote sensing technology provides an invaluable means of capturing spatial data across various scales and timeframes. This technology and GIS capabilities enable researchers and policy-makers to comprehensively assess land use and land cover changes, contributing to informed decision-making for sustainable land management. As a representative case study, the Amman Zarqa Basin offers a unique context for studying the interplay between urbanization, agricultural expansion, and natural resource preservation. The study area, the Amman Zarqa Basin in Jordan, was selected based on its significance in terms of urbanization, population growth, and land use changes. The boundaries of the study area were defined, considering administrative divisions, geographical features, and relevant data availability. Over the past four decades, the Amman Zarqa Basin has undergone a transformation driven by a rapidly growing population, industrialization, and urban sprawl. From predominantly rural to urban-dominated, the region's historical trajectory underscores the urgency of understanding the dynamics of land use changes. Integrating remote sensing data, such as satellite imagery and aerial photography, with GIS technologies, including spatial analysis and modeling, presents an opportunity to gain deeper insights into the spatiotemporal patterns of these changes. This study examines land use/cover change detection patterns in AZB for 40 years, 1980-2020, using satellite imagery data of RS and GIS. By doing so, the study seeks to identify critical drivers of change, assess the impact on natural ecosystems, and provide valuable information to guide sustainable development strategies. The findings of this research contribute to both the scientific understanding of urbanization dynamics and the practical application of geospatial technologies in land management.
Because of the increasing development the rapid growth in population growth rate, and continued migration fluxes to the country, the country faced broad changes in LULC (Mohammad, Odeh, et al., 2021); this came in parallel with an increase in industrial and agricultural activities, and therefore resulted in profound changes of LULC, which led to the deterioration of the environment in some areas, such as deforestation and desertification, and using suitable agricultural lands for urbanization negatively influenced the ecosystem. The general purpose of this paper is to consider LULC changes in the Jordanian part of the Amman Zarqa Basin by integrating remote sensing and GIS over 40 years; and its impact on landscape patterns. The specific goals of the study include; exploring the dynamics of the LULC changes between 1987 and 2009, quantifying the landscape metrics at the class and landscape levels, and assessing the impacts of the LULC changes on the ecosystem, especially habitat loss and fragmentation. The study area is intensively cultivated and is experiencing rapid urban growth, as well as agricultural expansion. The study's findings will support decision-makers in implementing better policies regarding land use planning and urban growth and promoting resource management. Hopefully, the study results will support competent authorities to take stern measures to protect biodiversity by maintaining flora and fauna's natural habitat. Planners, policymakers, and conservationists worldwide emphasize the importance of including urban green spaces in integrated sustainable development models and action plans (Chopra, Singh, et al., 2022; Sturiale and Scuderi, 2019; Vargas-Hernández, Pallagst, et al., 2018).
Several methods can be used to detect land cover/use changes, including satellite imagery; by comparing satellite images of a certain area taken at different points in time, it is possible to observe changes in LULC. There are several satellite datasets available that provide high-resolution images of the Earth's surface. Geographical Information System (GIS) data; can be used to track LULC changes over time; GIS data includes information about land cover types, land use, and other geographical features. Field surveys; involve collecting data on LULC by physically visiting the site and collecting information through observations and measurements; this method can be a time-consuming costly and sometimes risky method, but it is often necessary for accurately identifying LULC changes. Remote Sensing: Remote sensing is the process of collecting data about the Earth's surface from a distance, using sensors on satellites or aircraft. Remote sensing; this method can be used to identify LULC changes by analyzing the characteristics of the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the Earth's surface. And aerial photography; which involves taking photographs of the Earth's surface from an aircraft, by comparing aerial photographs taken at different times, LULC changes could be observed. Comparing data collected at different points in time from different methods; it is possible to identify changes in LULC and map these changes on a spatial scale. The outcomes of such studies can be useful for a variety of purposes, including environmental monitoring, LULC changes can have significant impacts on the environment, including changes to ecosystems, water cycles, and climate, by detecting LULC changes over time, it is possible to monitor these impacts and take appropriate actions to mitigate negative consequences. On the other hand, detecting LULC changes over time allows resource managers to understand better how these changes may impact resource availability and use and then affect the development and growth of cities and towns, which, of course, positively affect the disaster response and agricultural monitoring by providing information to understand the potential consequences of different land use scenarios and make informed decisions about land management practices. Multiple studies have confirmed the impacts of urbanization on land use and natural resources. For example, Seto, Güneralp, et al. (2012) highlighted the global patterns of urbanization and its significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Several studies examined the variations in land use/land cover brought by rapid urbanization (Yılmaz and Terzi, 2020). Their research highlighted how urban expansion often leads to habitat fragmentation, loss of agricultural lands, and increased stress on water resources. In the context of the Middle East, Alqurashi and Kumar (2013) studied the LULC changes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They reported similar trends of urban sprawl, leading to the shortage of natural resources and raised environmental degradation. In urbanizing regions like the Amman Zarqa Basin, these effects are compounded by additional stressors such as refugee influxes and climate variability. The study by Al-Bakri, Salahat, et al., (2013) on Jordan's agricultural landscapes revealed how urbanization, associated with population growth, has significantly changed land use patterns and weakened water resources. This is mainly relevant in the last decade when Jordan experienced significant demographic changes due to the Syrian refugee crisis, leading to a dramatic increase in urbanization and following pressure on natural resources.
LULC change detection is essential for determining geographical dynamics and their connection with human activities, (Mohammad, Odeh, et al., 2021; Woldeyohannes, Cotter, et al., 2020). LULC classification maps should be determined because of their significance in reducing the adverse impacts of human activities on nature, primarily in limited-resource countries like Jordan (Gülersoy, Gümüş, et al., 2015). However, the rate of LULC changes is mainly influenced by human activities. It is shown that LULC changes are higher in developing countries than in developed countries; because of ongoing evolution. It has been predicted that by 2020, most of the world's big cities will be in developing countries (World Bank, 2007), (Obeidat, Awawdeh, et al., 2019). Jordan is a Mediterranean country with arid to semi-arid conditions with around 89,000 km². Annual rainfall ranges from less than 20 mm in the Badia region to more than 600 mm along the western mountainous areas (Mohammad, Almomani, et al, 2015; Mohammad, Hazineh, et al., 2020). Jordan is one of the poorest countries for water resources worldwide, which expands the stress on Jordanian decision-makers to manage the limited resources reasonably to match the growing needs for resources with a sustainable solution to the country's environmental circumstances (Mohammad, Hazineh, et al., 2020, Mohammad, Odeh, et al., 2021; Odeh, Mohammad, et al., 2019).
The AZB is one of the essential basins in the country; around 70% of Jordan's agricultural and industrial activities are encountered within this basin. There has been a sudden expansion in urban growth within the area in recent years because of the increasing population growth, including the construction of buildings, roads, universities, scattered urban centers, and other infrastructure. Both local and international research entities have studied AZB because of its importance to the country (Mohammad, Odeh, et al., 2016; Shatanawi, Mohammad, et al., 2022). The AZB is located in the northwestern part of the country with a total area covering approximately 4120 km2; the basin is transboundary; around 90% of its area is in Jordan, and 10% is in Syria, Figure 1.
Geologically, the area is dominated by outcrops that vary from Triassic to Recent in age where the Cretaceous sediments are most prevalent. Channel 1951, has classified the Upper Cretaceous formations into Ajlun and Belqa Groups, consisting of different kinds of limestones, phosphorite marl, chert, and porcellanite (Abed, Sadaqah, et al., 2008; Quennel, 1951), they are underlain by Lower Cretaceous Kurnub Group that best outcrops at Baqa’a along the axis of Suweileh- structure and along Zarqa River valley. The northeastern part of the basin is largely covered with basalt (Figure 2) (Odeh, Sawaqed, et al., 2023). This basin is one of the transitional areas between the desert areas in the east and the highlands in the west. The high variation in elevations and topography leads to climatological changes and different land use patterns in the basin. The AZB’s surface water drainage network includes two main tributaries, the Zarqa River and Wadi Dhuleil, which drains from the highlands areas northeast and west of Amman into the Jordan Valley, reaching the King Talal Dam KTD and then the Jordan River. The topographical heights in the catchment area differ (roughly from 350 m below sea level in the west to almost 1200 m above sea level in the east), where hilly regions compose a large part of the western and encircling areas along the boundary of the basin, the elevations gradually subside towards the middle of the catchment and the west, (Figure 3, a, b, and c), (Odeh, Sawaqed, et al., 2023).
Materials and Methods
Landsat imaginary is an effectual tool that utilizes special sensors onboard the Landsat Satellite platform, which is capable of capturing multispectral imagery, helping in detecting diverse land surface segments. Landsat multispectral images grab many bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible, reflective infrared, and thermal infrared energy. Comprehending the strengths and weaknesses of various types of sensor data is necessary for the designation of proper remotely sensed data for image classification (Gómez, White, et al., 2016; Lu and Weng, 2007; Tewabe and Fentahun, 2020). In remote sensing investigation tools, it is very important to validate the processed results; in this case, representative ground truth data is a condition to validate this reflectance property to the object to obtain proper classification (Muzein, 2006). Analyze the differences in land cover type; the image has been classified by supervised classification technique using a maximum likelihood classifier (algorithm) environment, and validation for the resulting map was done by visiting the field many times during the project. In this paper, collecting Landsat images of the needed years for the study area, validating the images by random control points, processing through ENVI 6, and then using GIS 10.3 software, the upper-mentioned procedure was used in the LULC classification to obtain the preferred outcomes. The image data files were purchased from the Royal Jordanian Geographical Center (RJGC) (n.d.) and extracted into Tiff format files to be processed. The Landsat images were then converted to image format using ENVI 5.3 software in the analysis and pre-processing technique. In this study, post-classification change detection techniques were conducted through GIS; this approach has been effectively used because of its efficiency in detecting the location, nature, and rate of change. Also, the overlay GIS method technique was utilized to get the changes in land cover/use during the 40-year duration.
Anyhow, the steps of the integrated approach of remote sensing started by purchasing satellite images for four periods: 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The source of these images is the Royal Jordanian Geographical Center which offers satellite images of all of Jordan at different times. However, the year and its satellite image description are presented in Table 1. Satellite images description from the source. The collected satellite images were pre-processed to enhance their usability and remove atmospheric and radiometric distortions. Pre-processing steps included atmospheric correction, radiometric calibration, and geometric correction. Image registration techniques were applied to align images from different periods to a common spatial reference system.
Table 1. Satellite image description from the source
| Resolution
|
Name satellite
|
Year
|
| 60m |
Landsat4 |
1980 |
| 30m |
Landsat5 |
1990 |
| 15m |
Landsat7 |
2000 |
| 0.5m |
Geo Eye |
2010 |
| 2m |
Gaofen-1 |
2020 |
All the used satellite images have visible bands used in the classification (Figure 4). Supervised and unsupervised classification techniques were employed to classify the satellite imagery into different land use and land cover categories. Ground control points and reference data were used for supervised classification, while unsupervised classification relied on cluster analysis algorithms. Relevant land use and land cover categories were defined, considering the specific characteristics of the study area and its urbanization patterns. Then, the resolution of these images was unified into 60 m to execute homogenous results. The unification was accomplished by the resampling tool in ArcGIS 10.3. After that, supervised classification by maximum likelihood method using ENVI 6 for the satellite image after the resampling into four classes: rock unit, green land unit, urban unit, and soil unit. Direct field visits validated the results for the study area. Later, the results of the classifications were exported to ArcGIS 10.3 to estimate the areas of the land cover units and lay them out in professional maps. After that, export the values of each land cover area to Excel 2013 software to develop the percentage of each unit for each year and introduce them in a pie diagram. Finally, to evaluate the accuracy of the land use and land cover classification, ground truthing was used as an accuracy assessment, 250 truthing points were conducted by random sampling within the study area for each year, in parallel with various field visits were used as reference data for validation. Then, results were visualized through thematic maps, and spatial statistics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of land use and land cover in the study area.
Results
The changes in land cover can have a range of impacts on the environment, including affecting biodiversity, altering water cycles, and contributing to climate change. In the meantime; the LULC changes occur for a variety of reasons, including human activities; such as urbanization, deforestation, agriculture, and mining can change the land cover of an area. Natural processes such as erosion, landslides, wildfires, and hurricanes can also change the land cover. Climate change can also lead to changes in land cover; for example, rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns can cause shifts in the distribution of plant and animal species, which in turn can lead to changes in land cover. Conservation efforts are another tool for changing the land cover, such as reforestation; when forests are replanted, the land cover can shift from bare soil or agriculture back to forest.
The classification of satellite images resulted in LULC maps representing 5 classes: bare land, urban, green land, soil, and water. Figure 5 shows the distribution of the LULC changes over the targeted period. The region experienced rapid urban growth during the study period, particularly in the past two decades. The expansion of built-up areas was evident, with new residential, commercial, and industrial developments encroaching upon previously undeveloped or agricultural lands.
Figure 6 shows the changes in LULC by area percentages over the study period. The dominant land covers in 1980 were bare land with around 59% of the total area, Jordan is a water-scarce country, and this scarcity has historically limited the ability of vegetation to thrive. The limited availability of water has resulted in large areas of bare land. On the other hand; in the past, traditional agricultural practices in Jordan involved clearing large areas of land for farming, which led to a high extent of bare land. Overgrazing by livestock was another factor that contributed to the domination of bare land in the targeted basin. It's important to note that the dominant land cover in Jordan has changed over the past several decades, and the country has implemented several initiatives aimed at reducing the extent of bare land and promoting vegetation. Also, the study highlighted a reduction in forest cover and green spaces due to urbanization, it is noticed that the urban areas are concentrated in the western areas where the forests and green land were concentrated in the past, even though there is an increase in the percentage of the green land cover, but the increase is shown from the human agricultural activities not from the forest cover. These changes have significant ecological implications, including habitat fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, and increased vulnerability to environmental hazards.
LULC analysis, after the bare land, 33% of the total area was for soil cover, around 5.5% for green land, 1.5% for the urban areas, and 1% for water which is present in major wadis and King Talal Dam.
Table 2. Validation results by ground truthing points
| Year
|
% accuracy
|
| 1980 |
80 |
| 1990 |
78 |
| 2000 |
84 |
| 2010 |
82 |
| 2020 |
85 |
Accuracy assessment or validation is a crucial step in processing remote sensing data, as it determines the value of the resulting information for users. Productive use of geodata is only feasible if its quality is well understood. The overall accuracy of the classified image is assessed by comparing the classification of each pixel to the actual land cover conditions obtained from corresponding ground truth data. Ground truthing was estimated to the resulting LCLU map for each year, and 200 points were distributed overall to the basin to figure out the accuracy of the maps, Figure 7; this resulted in having a high confusion matrix with very good values as shown in Table 2. Ground truthing is crucial for verifying the accuracy of data. To obtain ground truth data, researchers visited the actual location and took physical measurements at the ground level. This process helps confirm or refute the data's reliability to evaluate the accuracy of the 2020 LULC classification.
For the rest of the years, under the GIS environment, a random 200 points were distributed over the basin area, and then manually, each point was visited through the existing image and evaluated with the classification result, which was obtained through the processing of the images.
Discussion
The paper presents a remarkable contribution to the domain of land use and land cover change research. Unlike many current studies, which may have a wider geographic scope or shorter temporal focus, this paper focuses specifically on the Amman Zarqa Basin in Jordan over 40 years. What sets this study apart is its integrated methodology, integrating remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques for noticing and validating land use changes. By including ground truthing to validate the results, the paper provides more elevated accuracy and reliability in its results. Furthermore, the regional relevance of the study cannot be exaggerated; its clear insights into land use dynamics in the Amman Zarqa Basin offer valuable information for local stakeholders and decision-makers, managing specific needs and challenges within the region. In essence, this paper stands out as an original and meaningful contribution to extending our understanding of land dynamics in the Amman Zarqa Basin through its attentive geographic scope, long-term analysis, integrated methodology, verification through ground truthing, and local relevance.
The originality of this paper is mainly pronounced in the context of the last ten years, a span marked by significant refugee influxes from neighboring countries such as Syria. This demographic pressure has profoundly impacted land use and cover dynamics, necessitating a nuanced and detailed analysis. The study’s ability to capture these rapid changes and their socioeconomic drivers through its integrated methodology and long-term perspective provides a unique and comprehensive understanding of the region’s evolving landscape. This paper stands out as an original and meaningful contribution to extending our knowledge of land dynamics in the Amman Zarqa Basin through its attentive geographic scope, long-term analysis, integrated methodology, verification through ground truthing, and local relevance.
In 1990, the dominant land covers were bare land with 58%, followed by 22% for soil, around 13% green land, 6% for the urban areas, and 1% for water bodies, period; 1980-1990; an increase in green land is noticed in parallel with a decrease in the percentage of soil; which means that the soil land started to be farmed and irrigated with new agricultural techniques in that time. Also, an increase in urban area percentage was noticed within that period. The analysis revealed specific hotspots of urban expansion, primarily concentrated in the western parts of the area. These areas experienced more intensive land use changes compared to remote or less accessible regions; this indicated an acceleration of urbanization in recent years, with a higher rate of land conversion into built-up areas, this trend is indicative of the region's population growth, economic development, and urban planning dynamics.
In 2000 the dominant was for the bare land with 58% of the total area; there was no change in the bare land percentage in this period, followed by an increase in soil cover percentage which was 25% with increasing of almost 3% of the area, the increase in soil percentage was noticed with decreasing in green land areas percentage which was 8% with 5 % decrease from the past 10 years, and urban areas increased to reach 8% as well and the water bodies was 1%, the decrease in agriculture area in that time is mainly because of the changing in working patterns from agriculture to the governmental sector within that time. In 2010 a notable decrease in bare land was shown, with a percentage of 44% almost a 14% decrease, paralleled by an increase in soil with a percentage of 29%, the green land increased as well to reach 14% of the total area; in that period, the first gulf war was started and people from Iraq and Kuwait were migrated to live in Jordan; this increases the needs for agricultural products and put more investment in the agricultural sector to meet the jump in population growth that time, Also the urbanization jumped to reach 12% because of the need of more areas to be cultivated to match the increase in the numbers of people, and the water bodies remain as 1%. In 2020 the bare land increased to reach 46%, an increase in green lands was noticed to reach 19%, a drop in soil was shown to reach 19% of the total area as well, the urban areas jumped to reach 15%, with fixed percentage to water bodies as 1% of the total area.
Furthermore, the fluctuations of the land cover changes stand to be controlled by two major factors; migration fluxes to the area due to the regional war from Iraq in 1990 and 2000 and Syria in 2015. The people who migrated to the area developed an urbanization area to have a home to live in. Therefore, it is found that the urbanization area cover increases with time. However, some migrated people worked and invested in the agricultural sector, positively increasing the green land. Besides, the climate change effect directly controls rainfall quantity and intensity. The rainfall record for the study area shows that rainfall intensity increased rapidly. When the rainfall intensity increases, the whole hydrological cycle increases too. The runoff has a direct relationship with rainfall intensity; when it increases, the runoff naturally increases. However, the main factor that reduces the soil layer in the study area is soil erosion generated by the runoff. The results highlight the need for effective urban planning strategies and infrastructure development to accommodate the growing population and manage urban sprawl. Also, smart growth principles, such as compact development, mixed land use, and efficient transportation systems, should be considered to ensure sustainable and resilient urban environments. It is worth mentioning that the land use land cover analysis in the AZB (assuming it refers to a specific region) presents challenges due to the geological formations prevalent in the area. These formations can introduce difficulties when classifying satellite images, potentially leading to errors. This is primarily attributed to the variations in rock colors, which can reflect differently and create confusion in determining specific land use and land cover classes.
Conclusions
The study on geospatial LULC changes in the Amman Zarqa Basin, Jordan, utilizing an integrated approach of RS and GIS over the last 40 years, has provided valuable insights into the dynamics of urbanization and its environmental impacts in the region. The findings reveal a significant transformation of the landscape, with urban expansion emerging as the primary driver of LULC changes. The rapid growth of built-up areas has resulted in the conversion of agricultural land, forests, and open spaces, reflecting the region's increasing population and urbanization rates. The acceleration of urban growth over the past two decades signifies the urgent need for effective land management and urban planning strategies to address the associated challenges. The integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS proved instrumental in capturing and analyzing LULC changes accurately. Through satellite imagery from multiple sensors and pre-processing techniques, the study achieved reliable and consistent data for land use and land cover classifications. The application of supervised and unsupervised classification methods enabled the identification and mapping of various LULC categories, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of urbanization. Change detection techniques enhanced the assessment of the magnitude and direction of LULC changes. These techniques enabled the quantification of land cover transitions, providing a basis for evaluating the impacts of urban expansion on ecosystems, hydrological systems, and biodiversity in the Amman Zarqa Basin. The study's findings have significant implications for sustainable land management and urban planning in the region. They serve as valuable inputs for policymakers, land use planners, and environmental agencies to develop strategies and policies that can mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization. By integrating the results into decision-making processes, stakeholders can work towards promoting sustainable urban development, preserving agricultural lands, protecting natural habitats, and ensuring efficient land use. The success of this study demonstrates the effectiveness of the integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS in monitoring and analyzing LULC changes over an extended period. It underscores the importance of utilizing advanced geospatial technologies for understanding and managing land resources in rapidly urbanizing areas. Future research in this field could explore additional factors influencing LULC changes, such as socio-economic dynamics, infrastructure development, and climate change, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions driving land use transformations. It was noticed that urbanization tends to extend toward the directions of soil units instead of the rock units which generates a major influence on the groundwater recharge and runoff processes. In conclusion, the geospatial analysis of LULC changes in the Amman Zarqa Basin using an integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS has contributed to the knowledge base of urbanization dynamics and environmental impacts. The study's findings support sustainable land management and urban planning efforts and provide a foundation for further research and policy formulation in the context of land use and urban development in the region. This study highlights the importance of monitoring LULC changes and their implications for sustainable land management and urban planning in the Amman Zarqa Basin. The findings contribute to the understanding of the region's urbanization dynamics and can inform decision-making processes related to land use policies, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation. The integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS has demonstrated its effectiveness in analyzing long-term LULC changes, providing a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the evolving landscape.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, methodology, resources, data curation; AH. Mohammad and T. Odeh.; software, writing review and editing, T. Odeh. The investigation, writing original draft preparation A H, Mohammad. Authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Ethics Declaration
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of the paper.
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