The marshes in southern Iraq have been drying up since the 1980s, leading to barren lands and environmental changes. Using satellite images and GIS technology, researchers found that between 1973 and 2000, there was a significant increase in barren land and decrease in water bodies. This led to soil degradation and abandonment of the area by locals. However, since 2004, efforts to restore the marshes have been successful, with about 50% of the original marsh areas now recovered, bringing back birds, fish, and vegetation.