Monitoring the Expansion of Unplanned Urbanization and its Impact on Climate Change based on Google Earth Engine Service, a Case Study of Baghdad / Iraq

Abstract

     The earth's surface comprises different kinds of land cover, water resources, and soil, which create environmental factors for varied animals, plants, and humans. Knowing the significant effects of land cover is crucial for long-term development, climate change modeling, and preserving ecosystems. In this research, the Google Earth Engine platform and freely available Landsat imagery were used to investigate the impact of the expansion and degradation in urbanized areas, watersheds, and vegetative cover on the land surface temperature in Baghdad from 2004 to 2021. Land cover indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Difference Water Index, and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDVI, NDWI, and NDBI) were determined to examine the effects of land cover changes. In addition, the land surface temperature was calculated to assess urbanization expansion's impact on Baghdad's climate warming. The results showed a drastic decrease in vegetative cover and green land, on the other hand, a significant expansion in urbanized areas. Hence, from 2004 to 2021, the urbanized areas and open land rose by 37% and 3%, respectively, while the vegetative cover decreased by 41%. The maximum land surface temperature has risen 4° C, and the minimum land surface temperature has risen 2.5°C.