OICC Press Journal of Rangeland Science 2423-642X 16 3 2026 09 30 Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Air Pollution and Environmental Dynamics in Central Iran's Desert Rangelands Zones Using Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine 10.57647/JRS.2026.1603.26 EN Mohammad Ali Ghoveh Nodoushan Department of Environment, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran Ali Akbar Jamali Department of GIS-RS and Watershed Management, May.C., Islamic Azad University, Maybod, Yazd, Iran Seyed Masood Monavari Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Seyed Abolghasem Mirhoseini Department of Environment, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran Mehdi Dehghani Zahedani Department of Bioscience, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran Journal Article 2026 09 30 Desert rangelands, despite existing within environmental regulatory frameworks, can still experience significant air pollution due to emissions from nearby urban and industrial activities. This study examines the spatio-temporal dynamics of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and atmospheric UV Aerosol Index (AER_AI), also known as the Absorbing Aerosol Index (AAI), as dust concentration across of central desert rangelands in Yazd province, Iran. Utilizing Google Earth Engine and remote sensing data, pollution trends were analyzed over six years (2018–2023) in nine locations. The study also investigated the influence of environmental factors-precipitation, wind patterns, and vegetation cover-on mitigating pollution levels. The ANOVA test, mean comparisons, and time series analysis were performed using R software. Time series analyses and statistical comparisons across spatial and temporal groups revealed significant differences between years and locations in pollutant areas. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of NO₂, CO, and SO₂ in desert rangelands near urban and industrial zones compared to control sites. ANOVA tests revealed marked spatial and temporal variations, identifying urban–industrial areas as persistent hotspots. Pollutant levels of NO₂ and CO were positively correlated (r=0.49, p<0.01), while Absorbing Aerosol Index (AAI), as dust concentrations, appeared largely external, originating from sources like dry wetlands. Temperature was strongly associated with AAI (r=0.68, p<0.01), and vegetation showed no capacity to mitigate pollution. These findings underscore the critical need to incorporate environmental factors into the management of desert rangelands and the formulation of industrial development policies to ensure sustainable outcomes. Integrating such considerations can help mitigate pollution and protect fragile ecosystems in arid regions.