الفهرس 
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Abstract
Babil province is one of the most important agricultural areas in Iraq. It represents a link between the central and southern governorates in terms of the transportation network. However, both natural and public services in these areas are being deteriorating due to several factors. These factors include : economic sanctions, lack of government support to farmers, shortage in water resources, salinization, rapid growth of population, urban growth, and increasing number of vehicles. The main objectives of this study were to provide an accurate assessment of the agricultural areas in Babil governorate from 1985 to 2015 and to evaluate degradation due to soil salinity. This is in addition to evaluating the spatial and temporal changes in road network within Al-Hilla city. This is to help in the development and sustainability of both land resources and road networks. Accordingly, Landsat images acquired in 1985 (TM), 1999 ETM+), and 2015 (OLI) were used in studying both agricultural and salt-affected areas. Also, Multi-temporal aerial photographs and satellite images acquired 1999 and 2007 as well as spatial and census data of road network in Al-Hilla city were used in studying road network. Three vegetation indices (NDVI, TNDVI and SAVI) and two salinity indices (NDSI and SI) were used for the assessment of agricultural lands and salt-affected soils in the studied area. Six indices (TIEI, PDI, AUSEI, RDI, RADI and Moran) were also used to evaluate the spatio-temporal interrelationships between road network and urban growth in Al-Hilla city. The obtained results indicated that agricultural areas were significantly decreased in the studied area from 1985 to 2015 based on the three studied vegetation indices. Agricultural areas were about 2644, 1508 and 2217 km2 in 1985, 1999 and 2015, respectively. This is based on the SAVI index, which had the highest accuracy when compared with the two other indices. On the other hand, the areas of salt-affected soils were significantly increased from 1985 to 2015 based on the NDSI and the SI indices. These areas were about 203, 446 and 371 km2 in 1985, 1999 and 2015, respectively. This is based on the SI index, which was more accurate than the NDSI.