STUDYING THE EXTENT OF COMPATIBILITY OF AREAL CHANGES BETWEEN VEGETATION COVER AND URBAN SPRAWL IN THE CITY OF M’SILA USE OF REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

This study analyzed changes in vegetation cover and their relationship to urban sprawl in the city of M'sila by conducting a controlled Supervised classification of satellite images of vegetation and urban sprawl during the periods (1990 -2000 -2010 -2023), Using geographic information systems and remote sensing, then detecting areas of change and urban sprawl and clarifying and demonstrating the factors affecting them, The study classified land cover into three main types (Vegetation, built-up, barren land), It was also shown that there was a change in land cover areas, as the percentage of change in vegetation reached about 6.87%, and its percentage in built-up reached about 113.12%, while the barren lands recorded a percentage of (– 50.12%), during the period (2010 – 2023), The results showed that there is an increase in the rates of changes in vegetation and built-up, but in inconsistent proportions, which may lead to the deterioration of vegetation, while barren lands recorded a significant decline in their areas, The study recommended the necessity of monitoring urban sprawl and its relationship with vegetation, and drawing maps of changes during specific time periods to determine urban sprawl in order to control it and ensure efficiency and harmonious development in the city.