ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING OF DESERTIFICATION SENSITIVITY IN THE NORTHWESTERN COASTAL ZONE, EGYPT
The present work aims at assessment and mapping the environmental sensitivity areas for desertification of the northwestern coastal zone (NWCZ), using the mathematical model by Kosmas, et.al. (1999). The study area extends from Alexandria to El-Sallum, it occupies an area of about 2.4 million feddan and it is located between longitudes 25 º 10' and 29 º 50' E and latitudes 30 º 30' and 31º 40' N. Environmental Sensitivity Areas (ESAs) for desertification at the NWCZ were carried out through the measurement of indicators namely; climate quality index (CQI), run off quality index (RQI), groundwater quality index (GQI), soil quality index (SQI), erosion quality index (EQI), vegetation quality index (VQI) and management quality index (MQI). Accordingly, the following results are obtained for the NWCZ: · CQI is low. · RQI is moderate west Matruh and it is low east Matruh. · GQI is moderate east Barrani and it is low west Barrani. · SQI is moderate for about 66.65% of the area, and it is low for about 32.35 %. · EQI is moderate along the NWCZ, except the area from Dabaa to Um El Rakham, it is high. · VQI is ranging from low to moderate. · MQI is low. · ESAs is considered to be of critical type degradation of first and second degree. From this study, it is concluded that, lands development in the NWCZ is preferred in lands of low sensitivity to desertification. Also attention should be given to monitoring and controlling wind erosion as well as appropriate use of ground water in sustainable development, meanwhile, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of policy for land use planning. . he present work aims at assessment and mapping the environmental sensitivity areas for desertification of the northwestern coastal zone (NWCZ), using the mathematical model by Kosmas, et.al. (1999). The study area extends from Alexandria to El-Sallum, it occupies an area of about 2.4 million feddan and it is located between longitudes 25 º 10' and 29 º 50' E and latitudes 30 º 30' and 31º 40' N. Environmental Sensitivity Areas (ESAs) for desertification at the NWCZ were carried out through the measurement of indicators namely; climate quality index (CQI), run off quality index (RQI), groundwater quality index (GQI), soil quality index (SQI), erosion quality index (EQI), vegetation quality index (VQI) and management quality index (MQI). Accordingly, the following results are obtained for the NWCZ: · CQI is low. · RQI is moderate west Matruh and it is low east Matruh. · GQI is moderate east Barrani and it is low west Barrani. · SQI is moderate for about 66.65% of the area, and it is low for about 32.35 %. · EQI is moderate along the NWCZ, except the area from Dabaa to Um El Rakham, it is high. · VQI is ranging from low to moderate. · MQI is low. · ESAs is considered to be of critical type degradation of first and second degree. From this study, it is concluded that, lands development in the NWCZ is preferred in lands of low sensitivity to desertification. Also attention should be given to monitoring and controlling wind erosion as well as appropriate use of ground water in sustainable development, meanwhile, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of policy for land use planning.
https://ejdr.journals.ekb.eg/article_5841_068c687a9808a0536ef1cc434a6579ab.pdf
2009-12-01
1
96
10.21608/ejdr.2009.5841
Egypt
Northwestern coastal zone
Desertification assessment and mapping
Desertification Sensitivity
Climate Quality Index
Run-off Quality Index
Groundwater Quality Index
Soil quality index
Erosion Quality Index
Vegetation Quality Index
Management Quality Index
Abd El-Moneim
Hegazi
hegazi_abdelmonem@yahoo.com
1
Department of Plant Production, Desert Research Center, El-Matareya, Cairo, Egypt
LEAD_AUTHOR
Ahmed
Elwan
2
Department of Pedology, Desert Research Center, El-Matareya, Cairo, Egypt
AUTHOR
Salah
Abdel-Mogith
3
Department of Hydrology, Desert Research Center, El-Matareya, Cairo, Egypt
AUTHOR
Mohamed
Wassif
4
Department of Soil Conservation, Desert Research Center, El-Matareya, Cairo, Egypt
AUTHOR
Saad
El-Demerdashe
5
Department of Soil Chemistry and Physics, Desert Research Center, El-Matareya, Cairo, Egypt
AUTHOR
Mahmoud
Afifi
6
Department of Soil Chemistry and Physics, Desert Research Center, El-Matareya, Cairo, Egypt
AUTHOR
Mohamed
Moawad
7
Department of Pedology, Desert Research Center, El-Matareya, Cairo, Egypt
AUTHOR