Abstract
ABSTRACT For the purpose of mapping land capability by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) criteria, this paper presents a validated model to map land capability at a scale of 1:20,000 using a digital elevation model and the available soil information for Hermel District (525.6 km2) in Lebanon. The model was validated through fieldwork and it indicates a good overall accuracy of 89% and the significance of the model for mapping land capability at a district level. The study shows that 11.5 km2 (2.2%), 284.6 km2 (54.2%), 66.8 km2 (12.7%), 147.9 km2 (28.1%) and 14.9 km2 (2.8%) of the region were categorized in I, II, III, IV, and V land classes respectively. The comparison between the zoning map already produced for Hermel city and the land capability map demonstrates that the land use patterns need to be modified according to identified land capability classes to sustain the remaining productive lands for future generations.
Highlights
Hermel District is the main region of the Orontes basin in Lebanon
This paper presents a methodological approach and application of land capability assessment method which is designed for use at a small catchment level, using the commonly available soil data and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
Results are presented after to spatially classify lands based on their capability and to assess the degree of conformance of the land use designations of specific parcels proposed by the zoning map already established for Hermel city to the output land capability map
Summary
Hermel District is the main region of the Orontes basin in Lebanon. Agrarian changes in the region increased tensions on land uses and overexploitation of irrigation water. As of 2014, Lebanon was facing a summer drought after a record dry winter coupled by a massive influx of Syrian refugees and longstanding water management problems This drought lowered the groundwater level and decreased the flow of the springs. One of the most important land evaluation attempts in Lebanon was during 1997–2001, when soil mapping based on modern techniques and large fieldwork was undertaken. It allowed the excavation of more than 400 profiles, which were described according to the FAO guide (1990) and sampled horizon wise (Darwish, Jooma, Awad, Abou Daher, & Msann, 2005). The first four classes are suitable for Results are presented after to spatially classify lands based on their capability and to assess the degree of conformance of the land use designations of specific parcels proposed by the zoning map already established for Hermel city to the output land capability map
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