A Hybrid Approach Using Random Forest and IMDPA to Evaluate Soil Degradation and Desertification in Iranian Arid Zones

A Hybrid Approach Using Random Forest and IMDPA to Evaluate Soil Degradation and Desertification in Iranian Arid Zones | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 28 October 2025 V1 Latest version Share on A Hybrid Approach Using Random Forest and IMDPA to Evaluate Soil Degradation and Desertification in Iranian Arid Zones Author : Hassan Fathizad [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176166734.47102571/v1 153 views 88 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract This study aimed to comprehensively assess soil quality, spatiotemporal variations of physical and chemical soil parameters, and desertification intensity in the Yazd-Ardakan plain, Iran. A total of 201 soil samples were collected in 2016 using the hypercube sampling method. Field data including electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), pH, and heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed. Landsat satellite images from 1986, 1999, 2010, and 2016 were utilized. A Random Forest (RF) model, leveraging environmental and climatic data, was trained on the 2016 field data and predicted soil parameters with acceptable accuracy (R 2 values between 0.41 and 0.77), especially for EC (R 2 =0.73), SAR (R 2 =0.76), and the Soil Quality Index (SQI) (R 2 =0.77). This validated RF model was then used to reconstruct the spatial distributions of soil parameters for the years 1986, 1999, and 2010. By integrating these dynamic, high-resolution soil maps into the Iranian Model of Desertification Potential Assessment (IMDPA), desertification intensity was accurately evaluated over the 30-year period. The results showed a significant decrease in low desertification potential areas (46,187 ha) and a notable increase in high and very high desertification zones. Most critically, the ’Very High’ desertification class expanded over 60-fold (from 29 ha to 1,766 ha), concentrated along the Yazd-Ardakan road corridor and industrial regions. This study’s hybrid RF-IMDPA framework provides a novel, quantitative tool for precise monitoring and targeted management of soil resources in sensitive arid ecosystems. Supplementary Material File (figure.docx) Download 10.36 MB File (manuscript_final.docx) Download 144.55 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 28 October 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords desertification imdpa model random forest model soil quality yazd-ardakan plain Authors Affiliations Hassan Fathizad [email protected] Yazd University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 153 views 88 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Hassan Fathizad. A Hybrid Approach Using Random Forest and IMDPA to Evaluate Soil Degradation and Desertification in Iranian Arid Zones. Authorea . 28 October 2025. 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