Desertification in the Rafsanjan Plain, Southeastern Iran: Linking Local Processes to Global Climate Change

Abstract

Aeolian deflation, active sand dunes, and dust storms are key drivers of land degradation in the Rafsanjan Plain, southeastern Iran, affecting both land use and local livelihoods. This study aims to assess the causes and consequences of desertification in the region by analyzing geomorphological features, land use changes, and environmental factors. We employed satellite imagery, field measurements, and spatial mapping to quantify changes in dune areas and cultivated lands from 1955 to 2008. The northern bajada and central playa contain diverse aeolian landforms, primarily supplied by southwestern alluvial fans. The analyses indicate that these aeolian features have expanded over time, while cultivated lands have gradually decreased. These changes are driven by variations in sediment supply, wind regimes, surface morphology, and vegetation cover, compounded by rising temperatures, reduced effective rainfall, and declining groundwater levels. The results demonstrate that climate change, combined with inadequate water and soil management, is accelerating desertification, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable regional mitigation strategies.