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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Louise RayneORCiD, Dr Tim Kinnaird, Jen MakovicsORCiD, Professor Lisa-Marie ShillitoORCiD
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Traditional oasis agriculture in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) represents a sustainable adaptation to arid environments, yet these systems are increasingly threatened by desertification, climate change, and modern development. This study applies a change-detection approach using Google Earth Engine and Sentinel-2 imagery to monitor recent transformations in Skoura Oasis (Morocco) and Ayn Sayad (Iraq). By integrating NDVI-based vegetation analysis with multi-band change magnitude mapping, we identify both subtle and large-scale alterations, including levelling for pump-fed cultivation and destruction of archaeological features. Results reveal that while short-term vegetation changes often reflect cropping patterns, significant earthworks and field construction signal a shift away from traditional practices. These findings demonstrate the potential of remote sensing as an early warning system for heritage and agricultural loss and highlight the urgent need for interdisciplinary strategies to safeguard these historically significant landscapes.
Author(s): Rayne L, Cigna F, Tapete D, Rogerson M, de Gruchy M, Ait Brahim Y, Jotheri J, Kinnaird T, Makovics J, Irvine H, Shillito LM
Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)
Publication status: Published
Conference Name: IEEE Mediterranean and Middle-East Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (M2GARSS 2026)
Year of Conference: 2026
Online publication date: 03/07/2026
Acceptance date: 02/04/2018
Publisher: IEEE
URL: https://doi.org/10.1109/M2GARSS67833.2026.11582174
DOI: 10.1109/M2GARSS67833.2026.11582174
Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item
ISBN: 9798319508607
