Evaluating the Efficiency of Two Ecological Indices in Monitoring Forest Degradation in the Drylands of Sudan

Yasin, Emad Hassan Elawad and Siddig, Ahmed A. H. and Diab, Eiman E. and Czimber, Kornél (2025) Evaluating the Efficiency of Two Ecological Indices in Monitoring Forest Degradation in the Drylands of Sudan. REMOTE SENSING, 17 (13). ISSN 2072-4292

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Abstract

With increasing threats to forest resources, there is a growing demand for accurate, timely, and quantitative information on their status, trends, and sustainability. Satellite remote sensing provides an effective means of consistently monitoring large forest areas. Vegetation Indices (VIs) are commonly used to assess forest conditions, but their effectiveness remains a key question. This study aimed to assess and map forest degradation status and trends in Lagawa locality, West Kordofan State, Sudan using the soil adjusted and atmospheric resistant vegetation index (SARVI) to quantify the relationship between SARVI and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and compare the efficiency of both indices in detecting and monitoring changes in forest conditions. The study utilized four free cloud images (TM 1988, TM 1998, TM 2008, and OLI 2018), which were processed using Google Earth Engine (GEE) to derive the indices. The study found significant forest degradation over time, with 63% of the area categorized as moderately to severely degraded. A strong, positive relationship between SARVI and NDVI (R2 = 0.9085, p < 0.001) was identified, indicating that both are effective in detecting forest changes. Both indices proved efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and applicable for monitoring forest changes across Sudan’s drylands. The study recommends applying similar methods in other dryland forests in other regions.

Tudományterület / tudományág

agricultural sciences > forestry and wildlife management
natural sciences > environmental science

Faculty

Not relevant

Institution

Soproni Egyetem

Item Type:	Article
SWORD Depositor:	Teszt Sword
Depositing User:	Csaba Horváth
Identification Number:	MTMT:36255316
Date Deposited:	31 Jul 2025 07:04
Last Modified:	31 Jul 2025 07:04
URI:	http://publicatio.uni-sopron.hu/id/eprint/3720

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