Long-Term Land Restoration Assessment Using Remote Sensing in Mediterranean Ecosystems

The Mediterranean region's arid and semi-arid ecosystems are increasingly threatened by land degradation, desertification, and climate change. This study uses remote sensing indicators from Sentinel-2 satellite data to assess long-term land restoration efforts. Focusing on two case studies-the Heraklion Forest restoration and the transformation of agricultural land in Beit Lehem of Galilee into a food forest model-we employed six indicators: Normalized Difference Soil Index (NDSI), Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Plant Senescence Reflectance Index (PSRI), Structure-Insensitive Pigment Index (SIPI), Normalized Difference Infrared Index (NDII), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). Our comparative analysis between restored areas and nearby non-restored control areas revealed significant improvements in vegetation health and water content in the restored areas. These findings underscore the effectiveness of restoration activities in enhancing ecosystem resilience to environmental stressors. This study demonstrates the critical role of remote sensing technologies in monitoring and managing land restoration, providing valuable data for sustainable land management in the Mediterranean region. Continuous monitoring and adaptive management, supported by robust scientific evidence, are essential for achieving long-term restoration success and resilience against climate change.