IRS-1A Applications in Desertification Studies

The fragile habitat of our desertic tract is witnessing an accelerated degradation of its natural endowments as a result of over-exploitation. Wind erosion and generation of drift sands, manifested in the degree of stability of land surface and degradation of vegetation cover are the two major desertification processes. The operation of these processes is spatially variable. Besides, the vastness of terrain and its poor trafficability militate against an inventory from ground traversing alone. Results of the study show that IRS-1A data can be a very useful tool in monitoring the incidence of desertification. Amongst the various processings of IRS data attempted, Soil Brightness Index was the best in separating land surfaces of different degrees of stability and incidence of wind erosion. In the case of pasture land cover, NDVI from the Red and the IR bands of IRS data showed potential in assessing degradation of the otherwise sparse vegetation cover.