Investigation of the Vegetation Cover and the Vulnerability of the Mashhad Regions to Desertification by Using MODIS Image and EVI

Desertification is a natural phenomenon that threatens the biomass of the world in various forms, and the adverse effects of this phenomenon can be observed in different parts of the planet. Some events and complications of the earth's surface, such as vegetation coverage, have changed over time due to natural or human factors, thereby affecting the ecosystem's condition and performance. Vegetation coverage is a critical factor in the assessment of desertification, and continuous production of accurate vegetation maps is an important tool for monitoring natural resources and the environment. Therefore, this paper used MODIS images to investigate the vulnerability of the Mashhad regions in Iran to desertification according to the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) for various periods. Experimental results showed that the Mashhad regions had the highest vulnerability to desertification during 2001-2005, given the highest variation in the EVI in this period.