IAPRS & SIS, Vol.34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring", Hyderabad, India,2002
ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING OF DESERTIFICATION
IN NORTH OF JORDAN
Dr. Hussein Harahsheh
United Arab Emirates University, Faculty of Sciences/ Department of Geology
P.O. Box: 17551, Al Aain- United Arab Emirates, Fax: (9713)7671291 Tel: (9713)7064446
husseinh Q uaeu.ac.ae
KEYWORDS: Agriculture, erosion, assessment, desertification, saline, production
ABSTRACT:
Remote Sensing provides a diversity of data from the superficial environmental, which can be manipulated and analyzed by
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to extract information relevant to the understanding of environmental hazards. This applies
especially to the study of desert conditions, desertification monitoring, assessment and mapping. This contribution utilizes remote
sensing data and techniques to evaluate the biological and physical parameters related to land degradation and desertification, such as
water, vegetation, geomorphology, drainage system, soil moisture, etc. Multi-temporal analysis of Landsat TM images is used to
monitor the effects on vegetation of the increase in areas of irrigation during the period of 1983-1997. The analysis clearly
demonstrates a net decrease in vegetation cover. This situation exemplifies the deterioration of the natural vegetation cover. A
Geographic Information System was used to combine and interpret a range of parameters (land use, soil type, topography, climate,
etc.). A result of this GIS analysis is the provision of maps showing water erosion,
wind erosion, vegetation degradation and
salinization. A final stage of this research was the construction of a "desertification map" showing areas affected by different types of
land degradation.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Jordan has been under enormous ecological pressure throughout
historic times, from extensive deforestation and traditional
agriculture in ancient times to the more recent demands of
irrigated agriculture. The area chosen for this study measures
approximately 1300 km? and lies on the eastern plateau of
Jordan, about 40 km northeast of Amman (Mafraq district). The
topography ranges between 500 m and 950 m ASL. The
population of the Mafraq region was only 11,255 people in
1953, and currently estimated to be 198,700 people, giving an
annual rate of population growth of 3.4%. It is clear that the
population pressure on the land of the study area is very high, as
the population density has increased from 8.7 person/km? to
130.7 person/km”. Figure 1 shows a satellite image of the study
area.
Figure 1 Landsat TM image, bands 4, 3 & 2, 1997,
of Mafraq area
There is still scientific debate over the mechanisms and
processes of land degradation, and the proper methodology for
assessing and monitoring desertification (Hill et al, 1998). In
this context comes this study to contribute to the understanding
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of desertification process, establishing criteria for desertification
assessment, and then creating land degradation maps using
remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS)
techniques. The current research project aimed at two main
achievements:
1- Constructing an integrated GIS database
2- Developing criteria for desertification assessment and
mapping
The methodology of our study begins with the collection of
environmental data from different sources (particularly via
remote sensing). These then provide the basis for establishing
criteria to identify stages of desertification, and factors
responsible for desertification and other land degradation. The
GIS database combines physical land units and land use map to
outline desertification-mapping units (DMU). In this study,
desertification is defined as "land degradation in arid, semi-arid
and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors,
including climate variations and human activities”. Guided by
this definition we classify four types of land degradation: 1)
water erosion, 2) wind erosion, 3) vegetation degradation and 4)
salinization. Areas affected by these types are represented on
desertification map.
2. DATA AND MATERIAL
Two sources provided the data to complete this study. The first
is satellite images, including Landsat TM images from January
1983, May 1985, July 1989, and November 1997. The second
source is thematic maps, including a 1:250,000 scale geological
map, a 1:250,000 scale soil map, a 1:750,000 scale rainfall map,
and 1:50,000 scale topographic maps. /
3. AGRICULTURE ACTIVITY
3.1 Cultivation
The main agriculture activity is rainfed cultivation in the
western part of the study area. The main types of cultivation are
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