Aqrawi, P., Abdel Hady, A., Abde lKawy, W., El-Nahry, A. (2013). ASSESSMENT OF LAND DEGRADATION IN WADI EL NATRUN AREA, WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT. Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 4(9), 811-826. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2013.52147
P. M. Aqrawi; A. A. Abdel Hady; W.A. Abde lKawy; A. El-Nahry. "ASSESSMENT OF LAND DEGRADATION IN WADI EL NATRUN AREA, WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT". Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 4, 9, 2013, 811-826. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2013.52147
Aqrawi, P., Abdel Hady, A., Abde lKawy, W., El-Nahry, A. (2013). 'ASSESSMENT OF LAND DEGRADATION IN WADI EL NATRUN AREA, WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT', Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 4(9), pp. 811-826. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2013.52147
Aqrawi, P., Abdel Hady, A., Abde lKawy, W., El-Nahry, A. ASSESSMENT OF LAND DEGRADATION IN WADI EL NATRUN AREA, WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT. Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 2013; 4(9): 811-826. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2013.52147
ASSESSMENT OF LAND DEGRADATION IN WADI EL NATRUN AREA, WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT
1Soils Science Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo Uni., Giza, Egypt.
2National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences
Abstract
Most forms of land degradation are human resource (mismanagement and misuse); some physical and chemical environmental factors are still considered. Quantitative assessment of land degradation and monitoring the changes in land qualities in Wadi El-Natrun are the main objective of this study. Physiographic map of the area was produced by using ETM+, ENVI 5.0 and ArcGIS10. Physiographic map used to determine soil profiles location and soil samples. From the physical and chemical analysis the results compared with the data extracted from Mohamed, (2011). Land degradation rate, relative extent, degree, and severity level in the study area were assessed. The results indicate that the dominant active land degradation features are; water logging, salinity, alkalinity and compaction. Based on the FAO/UNEP, (1979) program of degradation (rate, relative extent, degree, and severity) and the application on that data of water logged, salinity, alkalinity and compaction compared with Mohamed, (2011). The results indicate that the following: - there is no effect of compaction so there is no compaction degradation . Waterlogged degradation as water table depth changed from 2011 to 2013 as following ( 50-100 cm ) the degraded area increased from (234.32 to 341.28 km2 ) , ( 100-150 cm ) the soil improved and the degraded area decreased (from 356.31 to 218.42 km2) and ( > 150 cm) were improved. Salinity degradation as electrical conductivity(EC dS/m) data changed from ( 2011 to 2013 ) that the ( 8-16 dS/m ) the degraded area increased from ( 0.0 to 16.83 km2), ( 4-8 dS/m ) the soil improved and the degraded area decreased (from 190.86 to 110.43 km2) and ( <4 dS/m ) the soil improved and the area increased (from 399.76 to 451.87 ). Alkalinity degradation data changed from ( 2011 to 2013 ) that the ( >15 %) no change , ( 10-15% ) the soil improved and the degraded area decreased (from 437.98 to 190.82 km2) and ( <10 % ) the soil improved and the area increased (152.64 to 388.32 km2 )