Geomatics Approach for Land Degradation Risk Assessment in Lattakia Governorate, Syria

Lattakia governorate faces significant land degradation, deforestation, and improper utilization despite its high agricultural potential. This study applies the United Nations Environment Program PAP/RAC methodology using an integrated geomatics approach, including Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) change detection and NDVI trend analysis. Utilizing multi-source remote sensing data (Landsat 5/7/8), the study mapped stable/unstable areas and quantified temporal dynamics over 37 years (1985–2022). Results reveal that 69.5% of the region remains stable, while 23.5% is actively degraded by sheet and rill erosion, primarily in urban-fringe zones and steep coastal slopes. A multi-criteria prioritization identified 186.49 km² for immediate curative intervention and 33.44 km² for preventive protection. LULC analysis showed significant transformation, including a 71.21% loss of Closed Needleleaf Forest and a 136.52% expansion of Urban Areas, indicating severe ecosystem fragmentation. NDVI analysis showed a general positive trend (42% growth) between 1985 and 2022, though a sharp decrease from 2000–2012 confirms that localized degradation is often masked by broader regional recovery. These findings support the implementation of Syrian environmental laws and municipal master plans for effective resource allocation and ecological restoration.