Anthropogenic Factors Affecting the Vegetation Dynamics in the Arid Middle East

Abstract The spatiotemporal variability of vegetation in the Middle East was investigated for period 2001–2019 using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 16-day/500 m composites Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI; MOD13A1). results reveal a strong increase NDVI coverage during study ( R = 0.75, p -value 0.05). In Egypt, annual exhibits strongest positive trend 0.99, Turkey, both and density increased from 2001 to 2019, which can be attributed construction some biggest dams East, such as Atatürk Ilisu dams. Significant increases maximum average Saudi Arabia are due farming northern part country groundwater desalinated seawater used. this suggest that one main factors affecting governmental policies. These policies could lead an countries Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Turkey.