Land Degradation Assessment of Soils in Different Land use of Southeast Nineveh Governorate

Abstract

The study was conducted to observe of land cover changes in southeast of Nineveh Governorate, which lies between longitudes (43° 32− - 43° 12−) East and two latitudes (36° 02− -36° 20−) North, with an area of (811) km2, with six locations and two surface and subsurface layers, which is an ideal region for study due to various land uses. Physical and chemical analyses were carried out and the spectral reflection of the soil was measured using the spectroradiometer for comparing reflections with soil properties such as organic matter, calcium carbonate and texture. It also relied on the Dregene criteria to estimate the degrees of land degradation within the study areas. The results indicated a high percentage of silt which ranged between (352-592 g.kg1), The study showed that the soil of the region is not affected by salt, as the highest value of electrical conductivity of forest soils in Namrod was (2.13 dS.m−1), The results indicated that there is a slight degradation of soils in Salamyia, Namrod and Hamdanyia site, While the rest of the sites were a moderate deterioration. Soil spectral reflectance results showed that the highest reflectance ratio was in the Qaratepa site (0.74 nm) at wavelength 2150, due to the effect of calcium carbonate with a decrease in its organic matter content. Followed by Salamyia site which reached (0.73 nm).