Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of the Vegetation Cover in a Northern Forest of Morocco: Izarene Forest

Abstract

The study presents an analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution of vegetation cover in the Izarene forest, using LANDSAT satellite images collected for the years 1984, 2003, and 2022. The methodological approach is based on the use of ArcGIS 10.8 software for processing multispectral images, as well as the calculation of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which enables the observation of variations in vegetation cover over time. The findings show that biodiversity is pretty abundant, but they also show that some places with low vegetation density are under a lot of stress. Due in large part to overuse of natural resources, uncontrolled human activity, and environmental factors, these regions seem to be more vulnerable to degradation. However, a decrease in deforestation over the past 20 years is revealed by comparing the two periods (1984–2003 and 2003–2022). The participation of governmental agencies, especially the Department of Water and Forests, through concrete projects like reforestation, forest fire prevention, and awareness-raising campaigns among local communities, is responsible for this progress. In several areas, these measures have stabilized or even improved the state of the vegetation. The analysis emphasizes how crucial sustainable, integrated, and participatory management is to protecting the Izarene forest, which is a significant resource for maintaining the region’s ecological balance.