Combined use of remote sensing and GIS for degradation risk assessment in some soils of the Northern Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the potential of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) to quantify soil degradation risk in some soils of the Northern Nile Delta. Physiographic units were mapped using Landsat ETM+ image (2003) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The obtained map showed that the study area comprised two distinct landscapes i.e. fluvial lacustrine and flood plains. The main landforms of the area under consideration are grouped as decantation basins, levees, recent river terraces, overflow basins, man-made terraces, fish ponds and turtle backs. A simple model was designed for assessing risk of land degradation depending on the equations of soil and climatic factors. The study demonstrated that about 48.09% of the study area has undergone very high risk of chemical degradation, whereas 51.91% of the area has undergone low risk of chemical degradation. About 20.12% of the total area was characterized by high risk of physical degradation. The results indicated that the salinity, alkalinity and water logging are the main common degradation hazards.