Abstract
Arid and semiarid regions are geographic units that cover approximately 43% of the earth’s surface worldwide, and conditions of extreme drought and reduced vegetation cover predominate in these regions. In Mexico, arid and semiarid ecosystems cover more than half of the territory, with desertification, mainly caused by anthropogenic activities and climatic events, as the main problem in these regions. The present research aimed to assess, identify, and classify arid and semiarid zones by employing a methodology based on multicriteria evaluation analysis (MCA) using the weighted linear combination (WLC) technique and geographic information systems (GIS) in the hydrological administrative regions (HARs) of the North Pacific, Northwest, and Baja California Peninsula, located in Northwest Mexico. Data related to aridity, desertification, degradation, and drought were investigated, and the main factors involved in the aridity process, such as surface temperature, soil humidity, precipitation, slopes, orientations, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and evapotranspiration, were obtained. For the standardization of factors, a fuzzy inference system was used. The weight of each factor was then determined with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). To delimit arid regions, the classification of arid zones proposed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was used, and the result was an aridity suitability map. To validate the results, the sensitivity analysis method was applied. Quantitative and geospatial aridity indicators were obtained at the administrative hydrological level and by state. The main results indicated that semiarid and dry subhumid zones predominated, representing 40% and 43% of the surface of the study area, respectively, while arid regions represented 17%, and humid regions represented less than 1%. In addition, of the states for which 100% of the surface lay in the study area, it was observed that Baja California and Baja California Sur had the largest arid and semiarid zones, while subhumid regions predominated in Sonora and Sinaloa.
Highlights
Arid regions cover approximately 43% of the world’s land surface [1,2,3]; they are characterized by limited water availability [4], increased temperature, and decreased precipitation [1]
The results indicated that the most arid zones were found in the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur, where they comprised 45%
This study provided an important opportunity to advance the application of decision making through the development of a multicriteria evaluation method based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), weighted linear combination (WLC), and geographic information systems (GIS) to determine aridity suitability and classify arid regions from local to global
Summary
Arid regions cover approximately 43% of the world’s land surface [1,2,3]; they are characterized by limited water availability [4], increased temperature, and decreased precipitation [1]. Arid zones are regions that receive an annual precipitation of less than 200 mm, and semiarid regions receive between 200 and 500 mm [3,5]. In both cases, there is a scarcity of water or humidity in the air and soil [10,11] in addition to high solar radiation, causing high temperatures and evapotranspiration rates higher than the volume of available water [12].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
