The Relationship Between Climatic Stress and Rangeland Degradation in Al-Samawah District/ Al-Muthanna Governorate for the Period (1980–2024), Based on Modern Geographical Technologies

The impacts of climatic phenomena and extreme weather events on terrestrial ecosystems have garnered significant attention from researchers worldwide. Terrestrial vegetation constitutes a vital component of ecosystems, serving as a natural interface between the land and the atmosphere. Climate conditions and their fluctuations play a fundamental role in the variability of ecosystems. Environmental degradation and negative shifts in climatic characteristics are often direct outcomes of the unsustainable human exploitation of natural resources. This misuse leads to resource depletion and poses a serious threat to long-term sustainability. This study aims to analyze changes in natural rangelands (both perennial and seasonal) in Al-Muthanna Governorate (centered in Al-Samawah District) over the period from 1980 to 2024, with a reference period of 1990–2024. The analysis is based on climatic indicators, including the Standardized Climate Index (SCI), monthly water balance calculations, and the Aridity Index (AI).