The Role of Geospatial Technologies in Enhancing Sustainable Environmental Planning for Protected Areas: A Case Study of Al-Shaafyin Protected Area, Northwestern Libya

Abstract

Protected areas are among the most important means of preserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. However, the effectiveness of their management depends on the availability of environmental planning based on accurate data and modern spatial analysis. In Libya, many protected areas are still managed using traditional approaches that limit their ability to monitor environmental changes and address forms of environmental degradation. Al-Shaafyin Protected Area, located in northwestern Libya, represents a case facing increasing environmental pressures resulting from climate change and human activities, in addition to a lack of applied studies based on geospatial technologies. Therefore, this study aimed to employ Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques to assess vegetation cover within the protected area during the period 2000–2025 using Landsat imagery and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) through ArcGIS Pro software. The results revealed a noticeable deterioration in vegetation cover, particularly the very dense vegetation class, which disappeared after 2000 as a result of declining NDVI values. Areas of dense and moderate vegetation also decreased, while poor vegetation cover increased substantially, reaching approximately 30.5% of the total protected area by 2025. Although a limited improvement was observed during recent years, the protected area has not regained its original vegetation condition. This highlights the need to implement environmental rehabilitation programs, strengthen protection measures, and reduce human encroachments.