Aspects Of Land Degradation Research Articles

Remote sensing and GIS to assess land degradation: A case study from Lebanon

Lebanon is known for its natural components, notably its natural resources. Nevertheless, inadequate management practices have led to the depletion of these resources in recent times. In the last few years, several aspects of land degradation in Wadi El Hjeir have been well-pronounced, and this has been associated with natural and human interference. This includes climate change, forest fire, quarrying, overgrazing, chaotic wastes disposal, and other unfavourable human activities For this reason, a set of satellite images (e.g., Sentinel-2) were processed to detect land cover changes between 2015 and 2020, although there is a short period of time between 2015 and 2020 because of sentinel-2 quality and its bands we were able to detect some differences in the land degradation that exists since the period of time should be 20 years to observe the differences but because sentinel-2 is modern as for its images we were able to observe the differences in this short time period. This has been accompanied by GIS application. The study aimed at determining the spatial and temporal changes in Wadi El Hjeir, a typical of Lebanese protected area, which has been designated lately as a Natural Reserve .The achieved work was based on identifying the major factors of land degradation, which were determined using satellite images for geo-spatial data extraction, and GIS for data analysis and manipulation where quantitative components were also addressed to identify changes in land use distribution over the last five years. This has been followed with field surveys to investigate in-depth the types and dimensions of land degradation in the area of study.

Studying the Characteristics of Vertisols to Set Up Field Management Practices at Dinder Area (Sennar State - Sudan)

The development of irrigated agriculture in Dinder area was part of the program to heighten the Rosaries Dam built on the Blue Nile and irrigate more lands on both banks of the river. The Dinder Area on the right bank of the river encompasses two parts, Dinder North (DN) and Dinder South (DS). The Dinder North area is situated between Dinder River in the west and Khor Al Atshan in the north east. The Dinder south area lies between Dinder River to the north east and Khor Al Aqalayin in the west. The area of Dinder is nearly flat to very slightly undulating with predominantly cracking clay soils (Vertisols). The soil study area is in semi-arid zone and experiences rainfall in the order of 500 mm in its northern edge, increasing to some 800mm at its southern boundary near Dinder National Reserve Park. This soil study has been based on semi-detailed soil survey data [13] with the key specifications are a field density of 1 observation each 150 ha and map scales of 1:50,000 and 1:100,000. Previously published soil study information was reviewed and incorporated in the findings and the database of this study. The Vertisols have high potential for crop production, but some constraints emerge affecting crop performance and decreasing yields. Those limitations are aspects of land degradation, manifested in, 1) water erosion and; 2) deterioration of physical and chemical properties. Continuous cropping of Vertisols, through time, can lead to compaction and in some cases development of a hardpan in the subsurface, reducing porosity, intensity of cracking and obliterating water movement. Such adverse effects are indicators of degraded soil physical properties. The aim of this study is to show the pedological characteristics of the Vertisols of Dinder area and as well to recommend on their use and management in order to minimize the concurrence management hazards. Field management procedures should adhere to the recommended land and crop management systems. Parallel to this approach, the fertility status is likely to decline due to intensive farming of some nutrient-depleting crops, but this nutrient deficiency is correctable through implementing a fertilizer program. Those technical inputs if properly used and practiced they are expected to sustain crop production. Key words: Dinder area; Vertisols;Morphological, Physical and Chemical Properties

Nvestigating the Properties of the Vertisols at Kenana III and IV Towards Enhancing Management Practices (Sennar State - Sudan)

A series of studies were initiated in Sudan in the early 1950s for utilization of the Nile Waters [19]. On the basis of these studies the Rosaries Dam was built on the Blue Nile. By the end of 2008 a programme to start the heightening of the dam was started with outlets for canals on both banks. At the same time further agricultural development on two irrigation projects, the Kenana and Rahad II commenced with soil surveys and irrigation design. The Kenana Area lies between the Blue Nile and the White Nile and runs south east to North West from Disa to Managil. Kenana Area is almost flat with predominantly clayey soils [21], [17]. Kenana III lies midway between the Blue Nile and the White Nile south of Sennar-Kosti railway line. Kenana IV area finally lies to the north west of Kenana III area. The soil study area is partly semi-arid and partly arid, and experiences slight rainfall in the order of 350 mm in its northern edge, increasing to some 650 mm at its southern boundary near Jebel Dali. The soil surveys carried in the area were made at semi-detailed level and the key specifications are a field density of 1 observation each 100 ha and map scales of 1:50,000 and 1:100,000. Previously published soil survey information was reviewed and incorporated in these surveys. In these surveys a number of potential agricultural options in terms of adapted cropping patterns, systems of management and two methods of surface and pressure irrigation were considered for development [6]. The most dominant soils are the Vertisols which have high potential for crop production, but some constraints emerge affecting crop performance and decreasing yields. Those limitations are aspects of land degradation, manifested in deterioration of physical and chemical properties. Continuous cropping of Vertisols, through time, leads to compaction and eventually develops hardpan at the subsurface, reducing porosity, intensity of cracking and obliterating water movement. Such adverse effects are indicators of degraded soil physical properties. To minimize the concurrence of those hazards management procedures should adhere to land and crop management systems. Parallel to this approach, the fertility status is likely to decline due to intensive farming of some nutrient-depleting crops, but this nutrient deficiency is correctable through implementing a fertilizer programme. In the study area, some parameters are management-factors determining e.g. flat slope favouring uniform distribution of irrigation water through well designed irrigation and drainage network, and sub-soiling preparing proper seedbed. Those technical inputs if properly used and practiced they are expected to sustain crop production. Keywords: Vertisols, Kenana Area, Irrigated Agriculture; Soil survey; Landsat, Clay plain

Microarthropods biodiversity in natural, seminatural and cultivated soils—QBS-ar approach

In the last century, the exploitation of soil by humans has increased considerably. The need to evaluate several aspects of land degradation has become a priority in the soil management protection. Soil biota plays key roles in several supporting and regulating ecosystem services, being an important component of soil food webs. Among soil biota, soil arthropods are considered useful tool for bioindication. QBS-ar index (acronym of Soil Biological Quality) is an expeditious and inexpensive index that may represent a good first step to evaluate soil condition in degraded and natural landscapes. This paper aims to provide a brief guide for technicians and farmers interested in the QBS-ar application, and it summarizes the results obtained by ten years of QBS-ar application considering three important land uses: agriculture (several crops), alfalfa and wood.