Assessment and Mapping of Land Cover/Use Aided by Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques in Elnour Natural Forest, Blue Nile State, Sudan

The main aim of this study was to assess and mapping land cover (LC) / use (LU), using Remote Sensing (RS) Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques in Elnor natural forest reserve, Blue Nile state, Sudan. also attempted update some information the area such as LC contour map by different methods data transformation analysis Normalized Different Vegetation Index (NDVI), interpolation supervised classification. Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat Enhanced (ETM+) Landsat8 images were used LCLU changes supported field observation. affected cutting mother trees overgrazing. Closed forests during 2000, 2010 2019 decreased from 36.9%, 28.5% 18.7% respectively. Moreover, total bare soil increased about 14.4%, 47.2% 39.7% open (grassland) 48.7% (2000) 41.7% (2019). A Digital produced LCCS software; depending on fieldwork data, they found four Classes. Mixed Woodland Single Layer, Semi-Deciduous Shrub with Open Herbaceous, Grassland, XII Layer Hardpans. revealed that there are indicators degradation last 20 years (2000, 2019) is expected continue increasing unless serious measures carried out reduce it.