Desertification and aeolian processes in the Kuwait Desert

Abstract

Aeolian processes are active in the southern Mesopotamian plain, manifested by frequent sandstorms and dust-storms. Two types of dusty atmospheres are recognized in Kuwait. The first results from dust-storms originating in southern Iraq and streaming down towards Kuwait through the action of the north-westerlies. The second usually occurs in calm, very hot weather when thermal instability of the near-ground air-masses causes tiny dust particles to rise to the atmosphere. Desertification in Kuwait is recognized by the extensive deterioration of the natural vegetative cover, increase in mobile sand activities such as development of new barchan dunes, and change of immobile sand sheets to mobile sand sheets. The average rate of sand encroachment in Kuwait was calculated as 14 m3/m/year. Over-grazing, sand and gravel quarrying, off-road traffic and application of irrational measures for mobile sand control are the main causes of desertification in Kuwait. Any program aiming at controlling desertification in Kuwait should consider the regional aspects of both aeolian processes and sources of recent aeolian sediments, immediate control of man-made activities in the desert area, conservation of undesertified areas and rehabilitation of the damaged ecosystem, especially that of rugged vegetated sand sheets.