Contribution of Different Land Evaluation Systems to Assess Land Capability and Suitability of Some Coastal Soils in Egypt.

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the land capability using Storie Index and Cervatana model and to assess the land suitability by LUSET and Almagra model for some coastal soils in Egypt. Twenty-seven soil profiles were dug and morphologically described to represent all physiographic units. Landsat image, DEM, geological map, field and laboratory work were used to create physiographic-soil map relationship. Based on the modified Storie Index, soils were classified into four land capability grades (grade 2, 3, 4 and 5). The Cervatana model classified these soils into three capability classes, S2, S3 and N. Almagra model indicated that 4.71 % of the area is highly suitable (S2) for wheat and citrus and 14.82 % of the area is S2 for olives. About 31.78 % of the soils is moderately suitable (S3) for wheat and citrus where-as 52 % are S3 for olives. Based on LUST, about 5.85, 3.73 and 2.11 % of soils are highly suitable (S1) for wheat, cotton and olives respectively. About 31 % of the area is moderately suitable (S2) for citrus and peach where-as 63.86 % is S2 for alfalfa and 85 % of the area is S2 for wheat. Soil salinity, calcium carbonate, drainage and soil texture were the most common limiting factors of the soils. The study revealed that the MicroLEIS application either Cervatana or Almagra is not suited to predict the land suitability and land capability while the LUSET and Modified Storie index is recommended for Egyptian pedoenvironment.