Using Remote Sensing & Geographical Information System to Study the Changes in the Coastal area between Port Said and Manzala (1973-2004)

Abstract

Landsat images at 1973, 1984, 1996, 2000, and 2004 of Port Said - Manzala areas were possessed. SRTM Digital train model was analyzed. Land cover /Lake Manzala areas changes in five different periods (1973-1984, 1984-1996, 1996-2000, 1996-2004, 1973-2004) were assessed. The visual image analysis proved that the Lake Manzala area's decrease to -28% through 1973 to 2004. The decrease was obvious in 1984 and 2000. The annual rate of change was -5% through 1996 to 2000 and -3% though 2000 to 2001. Sea shore change is evident throughout 1984 to 2004. Sea shore erosion and accretion are obvious to the northeast and northwest of study area at Damietta and Barr Ad-Dahrah and to the east of Port-Said city. Urbanization encroachment is evident. 53% of the Damietta to Port Said study area will be vulnerable to sea level rise of 1 m above the main sea level. Throughout 1973 to 2004 the Lake Manzala water area's decrease from 55 to 21%. The aquatic natural vegetation areas increase from 23 to 27%. Due to the draining/drying processes at south of Port Said the agriculture land areas and the terrestrial natural vegetation areas increase to 14.1 and 14.5% of the study area by September 2004, respectively. The bare land/ urban area increases to 20% by 2000 and the fish ponds areas account 10% of the study area by 2004. The magnitude of change in Lake Manzala water areas was -61% whereas the change in agricultural land areas was +420% from 1973 to 2004. The magnitude of change in aquatic natural vegetation and fish ponds areas was significant in 1984 and 2004. It is evident that an intensive eutrophication processes has been taken place in Lake Manzala through 1973 to 2004. The percentage of the Lake Manzalawater area that transformed to aquatic natural vegetation increased to 19%, 33% by 1984 and 2004, respectively.