Remote Sensing Based Assessment of Soil Degradation under Climate Change: A Contemporary Review

Abstract

Soil degradation, driven by both natural and anthropogenic forces, poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity, ecosystem health, and global food security challenges that are increasingly intensified by climate change. This paper explores the complex interplay between climate change and soil degradation processes, including erosion, compaction, salinization, chemical contamination, and biological decline. It highlights how altered precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and sea-level rise exacerbate soil deterioration by affecting soil properties, vegetation cover, and microbial communities. The study emphasizes the critical role of remote sensing technologies, particularly satellite imagery and UAV-based platforms integrated with artificial intelligence, in monitoring soil health and detecting degradation patterns at various scales. Despite the advantages of remote sensing in providing timely, spatially extensive data, challenges such as data resolution, atmospheric interference, and integration with field data remain. The paper also discusses the potential of emerging technologies and interdisciplinary approaches to support decision-making and sustainable land management.