A Change-Detection Approach Using Google Earth Engine to Monitor the Loss of Historically-Significant Sustainable Traditional OASIS Agriculture

Traditional oasis agriculture in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) represents a sustainable adaptation to arid environments, yet these systems are increasingly threatened by desertification, climate change, and modern development. This study applies a change-detection approach using Google Earth Engine and Sentinel-2 imagery to monitor recent transformations in Skoura Oasis (Morocco) and Ayn Sayad (Iraq). By integrating NDVI-based vegetation analysis with multi-band change magnitude mapping, we identify both subtle and large-scale alterations, including levelling for pump-fed cultivation and destruction of archaeological features. Results reveal that while short-term vegetation changes often reflect cropping patterns, significant earthworks and field construction signal a shift away from traditional practices. These findings demonstrate the potential of remote sensing as an early warning system for heritage and agricultural loss and highlight the urgent need for interdisciplinary strategies to safeguard these historically significant landscapes.