METHODOLOGY FOR TEACHING THE GEOECOLOGICAL SITUATION OF NORTHERN FERGANA FOOTHILL LANDSCAPES USING GIS TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

The Northern Fergana foothill landscapes represent a dynamic geoecological zone characterized by intensive anthropogenic pressures, including irrigation-induced salinization, soil erosion, waterlogging, and land degradation. This article presents a comprehensive methodology for teaching these complex geoecological processes through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies. The proposed approach integrates theoretical knowledge with practical spatial analysis, enabling students to visualize, model, and assess environmental changes in real-world contexts. Using open-source and commercial GIS tools (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS), the methodology fosters spatial thinking, data-driven decision-making, and problem-solving skills essential for environmental management in Central Asia. The study follows an IMRAD structure to detail the pedagogical framework, implementation, outcomes, and implications.