On Sunday morning 30/4/2023, a master thesis was discussed in the Department of Geography and Geographic Information Systems at the College of Arts at the University of Basrah entitled (Geomorphological changes of the sand dunes in Al-Zubayr district and its environmental effects).

The thesis presented by the student Reham Abar Lazim included four chapters.The first chapter discussed the geographical characteristics affecting the sand dunes in the study area, the second chapter discussed the geomorphological processes and general morphological characteristics of the sand dunes in the study area ,the third chapter included geomorphological changes and morphometric analysis of the sand dunes, and the fourth chapter dealt with the environmental effects of encroaching sand dunes and ways to treat them.

The thesis aims to reveal the most important geomorphological changes that occurred in the sand dunes in the study area for the period (1982-2022) through the use of the sand dunes and arid lands index.

The thesis concluded that the role of natural and human factors in the formation of sand dunes is a contributing force to the activity of geomorphological processes.

The thesis recommended concerted efforts by the concerned institutions and authorities to stop the encroachment of sand dunes toward service and economic facilities.