Evaluation desertification state in East Al-Haffar project

Abstract

A study was carried out and included ninety two soil series in east of Al-Haffar project and were distributed within sub-physiographic: Levee – basin – depression. Semi soil survey maps with scale of 1:50000 were used to cover an area of 50000 ha.The aim of this study was to use quantitative analysis methods for information through the linkage between the curves of geographical–geological- pedological and through depending on some pedo-geo-morphological indices which include (parent material; slope gradient; soil depth and soil texture, all these indices represent soil quality index (SQI) in addition to the index of vegetation cover; index of erosion protection and index of drought resistance which represent vegetation quality index (VQI); and salinity of irrigation water; soluble chloride ion ratio and sodium exchange ratio, which represent irrigation water quality index (IWQI). All these indices used to characterize and evaluate the environmental sensitivity to desertification.All indices were calculated by used specific mathematical equations according to the European commission system were used for rating and classification sensitivity for environmental desertification based on multiplying method between measured indices values and the maps were made for it. Results showed varied erodibility factors of wind which distributed in range of 0.09-0.37; water erodibility factor in range of 0.45 - 0.52 and soil crust factor in range of 0.08-0.73. Soil quality index varied and distributed in a range of 1.35-1.70. The areas of study were classified into three degrees and distributed from high quality to low quality. As well as vegetation quality index varied and distributed in a range of 0.07-0.26 and the location of the study was classified into four degrees, described between very low to good quality, water irrigation quality index is value of 3.35 mm and did not vary because there is only one sources of water Irrigation within the study area. In addition, the results also showed restricted three main location varied to desertification sensitivity which are classified between very low sensitive to medium sensitive.