Application of Remote Sensing for Degraded Land

Convener: Tarin Paz-Kagan, BGU
Land degradation is a major environmental challenge, threatening ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity, particularly in dryland and desert regions. Remote sensing has become essential for assessing, monitoring, and mitigating land degradation by providing high-resolution spatial and temporal data on soil health, erosion, vegetation loss, and desertification trends. It also plays a crucial role in tracking the effectiveness of land restoration efforts over time. This session will explore advanced remote sensing technologies, including multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, LiDAR, UAV-based mapping, and AI-driven data analysis, to detect early signs of degradation and support sustainable land restoration. Discussions will cover soil degradation assessment, vegetation cover monitoring, erosion detection, soil restoration strategies, and carbon sequestration mapping. This session will bring together researchers, environmentalists, and policymakers to showcase innovative approaches and practical applications of remote sensing for land conservation and sustainable management. Participants will learn how these technologies can enhance evidence-based decision-making, combat desertification, and promote land resilience in fragile ecosystems.