Drought and Water Stress Analysis in the Kaman Region (Kırşehir, Türkiye) Using Landsat 8/9 and Sentinel-2A Data
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study evaluates vegetation dynamics and drought conditions in the semi-arid agricultural landscapes of Kaman (Türkiye) using integrated remote sensing data. NDVI and NDMI derived from Landsat and Sentinel-2, together with land surface temperature (LST) and Sentinel-1 soil moisture, were analyzed to assess vegetation–environment interactions. NDVI time-series analysis revealed a clear seasonal phenological cycle, with peak vegetation growth in spring and a marked decline during summer due to increased temperature and reduced moisture availability. NDMI showed higher sensitivity to vegetation water content and effectively captured summer drought stress, particularly during July–August. A strong positive relationship between NDVI and NDMI indicates the importance of vegetation moisture, while negative relationships with LST highlight the limiting role of thermal stress. Although soil moisture showed a generally positive relationship with vegetation indices, its statistical influence was relatively weak due to spatial and temporal variability. Regression results suggest that vegetation dynamics are controlled by multiple interacting factors rather than a single variable. Overall, the integration of NDVI, NDMI, LST, and soil moisture provides a robust framework for monitoring drought and vegetation water stress in semi-arid ecosystems.
Author: Halil Günek
Institution: Ahi Evran University
Language: Turkish
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223311372