Research on the role of relief in the anthropogenic differentiation of modern geosystems based on remote sensing

Abstract

The article examines the anthropogenic transformation of landscapes depending on the relief in the Ajinohur foothills and adjacent areas located in the central part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The continuous increase in population affects the landscapes. In this context, the natural conditions of the area, especially the relief conditions, play a significant role. The inclination of the relief, the steepness of the slopes, and the horizontal and vertical fragmentation influence the transformation to varying degrees. Our primary goal is to determine the influence of various elements of the relief on the anthropogenic transformation of landscapes. Addressing landscapes for zero hunger is a pressing issue. During the research, preference was given to modern methods. Both traditional methods (historical, mathematical, and others) and modern methods (decoding satellite images) were employed. The study focused on the relief's inclination, height, slope exposure, and horizontal and vertical division, and their roles in transformation were analyzed. The findings indicate that anthropogenic transformation is more pronounced on low-inclined slopes. However, if high-inclined slopes are intensively developed by humans, the transformation becomes more significant. Northern slopes contribute less to transformation than southern slopes. Areas with high relief height have a lesser impact on transformation because these high-inclined regions are less suitable for the economic activities of the population. The results of this research can be utilized in sustainable agricultural planning, environmental monitoring, and other related studies.