Innovative Thinking for Sustainable Use of Terrestrial Resources in Abu Dhabi Emirate Through Scientific Soil Inventory and Policy Development

Abstract

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The total area of the UAE is about 82,880 km2. Abu Dhabi Emirate occupies more than 87% of mainland plus a string of coastal islands extending into the Arabian Gulf. The Emirate’s leaders and population have a close affinity with the land and believe that careful agricultural development will be an important part of its future destiny and should be undertaken on a sustainable basis. With this aim, fourth-order extensive survey of Abu Dhabi Emirate was initiated in 2006 and completed in 2009. The field survey was completed through investigating 22,000 sites covering 5.5 × 106 ha, supplemented with typical profiles description, ­laboratory analyses of soil samples, deep drilling to explore deep terrestrial resources, infiltration, permeability, and penetration resistance measurement. The survey was designed to take advantage of the latest technologies such as geographic information system (GIS), satellite image processing, and statistical analysis to produce state-of-the-art soil products. Sixty-two families and phases of soil families and 114 soil map units have been identified. The information were then used to publish soil map (1:100,000 and 1:500,000 scales) and 20 thematic maps at 1:500,000 scale. Using the extensive survey results, irrigated suitability map was prepared that led to delineate 1 million ha area, from which an area of 447,906 ha was surveyed at second-order level of USDA. The information collected will serve as a guide for future research and help to develop strategies that reduce the negative impact of the human activities on the natural surroundings and assist in the wise and sustainable use of its natural resources. In this chapter, methodologies used for extensive survey and results are presented and discussed for various uses. A brief introduction of the Abu Dhabi Soil Information System (ADSIS) developed to host all data for future retrieval, upgradation, and uses is also given, and policy issues are discussed.