Journal of International Economics Research
Journal DOI
PendingISSN (Online)
Volume 1 , Issue 1 , PP: 10-25, 2025 | Cite this article as | XML | Html | PDF | Full Length Article
Botirjon Karimov 1 * , Ziyodulla Khakimov 2 , Shirin Karimova 3
Doi: https://doi.org/10.54216/JIER.010102
Arid and semi-arid regions are facing faster land degradation and growing water stress. Planners need indicators that connect conservation goals to everyday decisions. In Uzbekistan’s Zomin region, few long-term, spatial studies combine vegetation condition with water-conservation capacity. We develop a transparent Spatial–Ecological Sustainability Index (SESI) to describe ecological quality and water support and to guide restoration and protection. The method merges several remote sensing and GIS layers: multi-decade NDVI from Landsat and Sentinel, terrain measures such as slope and flow accumulation, and land-cover permeability. We normalize these layers and combine them with a tested weighting method, producing SESI maps and summaries for districts and protected areas. The results show clear patterns by elevation and land use: upper catchments have strong water-retention potential, while valley bottoms near settlements show mixed conditions. The approach is reproducible, decision-ready, and adaptable to other mountainous, water-limited regions.
Zomin , NDVI , GIS , Spatial data fusion , Remote sensing , Desertification , Ecotourism , YOLOv11
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