Tigris River Recession Tracking Through Island Surface Areas And By Using GIS

Abstract

This study tracks the Tigris River's decline from 1985 to 2025 using GIS methods, with an emphasis on the island's size within the river. The study focuses on the effects of sedimentation processes and river course alterations, which might be difficult to depict and replicate using modern techniques. Analytical processes, spatial processes, three-dimensional analysis, and operations analysis are crucial in determining changes in the river's morphology. Most of the existing river islands are new or derived from older ones, and their stability is attributed to dense plants preventing sediment erosion. The study also explores the potential for tourism investments in these islands. The results showed that, despite the increasing severity of the drought, the number of islands has occasionally decreased in some years of assessment. The reason for this is that they integrate with the neighboring bank and hence are considered as dry areas rather than falling within the course of the river, as are the areas of the islands, which may shrink for the same reason. Most of the islands are built of sand or a combination, which makes it difficult to drift and strip, allowing them to remain stable for lengthy periods of time. The study concluded that trying to invest the river islands in different ventures, particularly in agriculture, is a smart idea because they have good soil quality, and their central location in the water supplies enough for crop development.