تقييم التغيرات في استخدامات الأراضي و الغطاء الأرضي في جزيرة سترة بمملكة البحرين

الملخص EN

Objective : this study aims to assess changes in land use and land co ver (LULC) from a sustainability perspective in Sitra Island, Bahrain.

methods : several methods and tools were utilized including geographic information system, survey, and estimation of economic costs of health effects attributed to air pollution.

results : the area of Sitra Island had expanded between 1967 and 2018, where the industrial and built lands increased at the expense of agricultural and barren lands.

these findings were confirmed by the survey participants where the main benefits and impacts of LULC changes in sitra were highlighted, and the need for specific LULC, such as agricultural lands and recreational areas, was raised.

although one third of the participants were unsatisfied with the current LULC, the majority were satisfied.

the estimation of economic costs of mortality and morbidity associated with high levels of particu late matter concentrations showed an increase from USD 533 million in 1990 to USD 1,503 million in 2017, which is equivalent to about 2% of Bahrain's GDP.

conclusion : the study emphasized the need to develop national strategies where LULC changes are continuously monitored, the consequent impacts are assessed, and a participatory approach to land use planning and management is adopted.