Sustainable multivariate analysis for land use management in El-Sharkiya,Egypt

In Egypt, major sustainability variables could be identified as scarce of soil and water resources, environmental degradation, rapid population growth, institutional arrangement that includes land tenure and farm fragmentation, agricultural administration, lack of infrastructure, and credit utilization. The main objective of the current work is to evaluate the sustainable land use management (SLM) model through biophysics and socioeconomic elements for the purpose of combating sustainability constraints that preclude the agricultural development geospatially. In this research, from the geomorphologic point of view, the obtained results showed three main landscapes. They were identified in the study area as: fluviolacustrine plain, Aeolian deposits, and flood plain. The study area was dominated by some physical and chemical degradation processes with different scales breaking down the equilibrium of soil stability. The SLM model was implemented and assessed from multivariate perspective points of productivity, security, protection, economic viability, and social acceptability. Four SLM classes were outlined as follows: class I, land management practices that did meet sustainability requirements with a score ≥0.65, which represented 31.0 % of the considered agricultural study area; class II, land management practices that were marginally above the sustainability threshold and represented 12.6 %; class III, land management practices that were slightly below the threshold of sustainability and represented 8.60 %; class IV, land management practices that did not meet sustainability requirements with index values >0.1 that represented 47.86 %. As a general conclusion, it is found that land management practices tend to be unsustainable in the area under investigation for certain constraints that play motivated roles in lowering the targeted land sustainability.     

Land degradation risk assessment of El Fayoum depression, Egypt

The main objective of this study is to assess the land degradation risk of cultivated land in El Fayoum depression. The physiographic map of the depression was produced by using remote sensing and land surveying data. The depression comprises lacustrine plain, alluvial–lacustrine plain, and alluvial plain representing 12.22%, 53.58%, and 34.20% of the total area, respectively. The soil, climate, and topographic characteristics of the depression were extracted from land surveying, laboratory analyses, digital elevation model, and available reports. A simple model was designed to employ these data for assessing the chemical and physical risk of land degradation using Arc-GIS 9.2 software. The obtained results indicate that severe risk to chemical and physical degradation affect 54.15% and 29.23% of the depression, respectively. The current status of soil salinity, sodicity, and water table indicate that most of lacustrine and alluvial–lacustrine soils are actually degraded by salinization, sodification, and waterlogging. The results of degradation risk and the actual hazard indicate that the human activities are not sufficient to overcome the degradation processes in the most of the depression (80. 22%). Moreover, a negative human impact affects 26.29% of the area mostly in the alluvial plain. Great efforts related to the land management are required to achieve the agriculture sustainability.     

Persisting effects of the Colfiorito (central Italy) Pleistocene paleo-landslide in the planning of land use: Upper Palaeolithic and proto-historical coexistence and Antique-Modern modifications

A huge late-Quaternary landslide (about 2᎒⁶ m³) dammed the Colfiorito basin in central Italy. This landslide was responsible for the formation of the present saddle, which divides the basin from the Chienti river valley. Landslide damming caused persisting lacustrine conditions during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene. High-standing lacustrine episodes are evidenced by two terraces located close to the top of the landslide dam, one of which can be related to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). During this period, the landslide dam was probably overtopped by the imponded lake. Before and during the LGM, the area of the landslide dam was affected by alluvial deposition. The landslide-induced lacustrine environment has played a key role in the history of land use at Colfiorito. The presence of water close to a strategic area located at the divide between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian regions favored its frequentation and settlement during the Upper Palaeolithic (in particular Aurignacian-Early Gravettian), as shown by the numerous archaeological remains contained in the alluvial deposits close to the landslide accumulation. During the Iron Age, the lake represented a unique source of sustenance, as indicated by the presence of peri-lacustrine settlements. In contrast, the land use drastically changed during antiquity with the Roman domination of the region. The necessity to cultivate new lands and particularly the problem of providing a food supply for Rome are the causes of the drainage of the Colfiorito lake by means of a tunnel excavated through the landslide dam. Based on radiocarbon dating, the operation of the Roman tunnel ended during the 5th-7th centuries A.D. (dates related to the deposits filling the tunnel), but the continuation of agricultural vocations in the area did not fade, and a new tunnel, which operated until 2000, was built during the 15th century. Because of the damaged conditions of the 15th century hydraulic works, a third tunnel was built (between 1998 and 2000), which permits the drainage of the Colfiorito area and the continuation of the agricultural activities.     

Use of satellite data and GIS for assessing the agricultural potentiality of the soils South Farafra Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

Overpopulation and food security are the main global problems alert decision makers. In developing countries, such problem put extra pressure for horizontal expansion for agricultural development. The rapid sprawl of urbanized areas on the alluvial land of the River Nile and delta to accommodate the population growth has encouraged governmental and private sector for agricultural expansion in the desert. Unless there are reliable information and accurate studies for land and soil suitability, there will be a collapse of such investment. To evaluate the potential suitability of soil for agriculture development in areas of the western desert, satellite images, geographic information, and field survey including soil profiles and artesian water samples with laboratory analysis were integrated to classify the soils according their suitability for specific crop. The main land qualities of the different mapping units and the crop requirement were rated and matched to obtain the current and potential land suitability using Automated Land Evaluation System “ALES”. The study found that the main physiographic units are plateaus, hilland, mountain, and depression floor. But there are three limiting parameters for land suitability which are the lack of nutrient elements, wind erosion vulnerability, and soil texture. The study concluded that the best crops adapted with the soil conditions and could be feasible for economic use are: (1) native vegetation such as agol, sand trees, sammar, halfaa, bawaal, qordaob, bardi, and qortom; (2) filed crops such as onion, garlic, watermelon and wheat; and (3) fruits such as olive and date palms.     

陆相伸展盆地的层序类型、结构和序列与充填模式--以冀中坳陷下第三系为例

陆相层序受自然地理景观、影响地层发育的地质营力及地层类型等因素影响,因此层序类型多种多样。在冀中坳陷同伸展期发育洪积层序、湖泊层序和冲积层序等三种层序类型。洪积层序是盆地伸展初期地貌反差较大物源供给充分气候干旱条件下发育的一种陆相层序类型,以冲积扇沉积为主,山高盆窄,汇水湖泊面积较小;湖泊层序发育在盆地强烈伸展基底快速沉降气候湿润湖泊水域宽深时期,湖泊水域宽,连通好,湖水深,是烃源岩发育的黄金时期。湖泊层序以湖泊沉积为主,其次为河流和少许冲积扇沉积。冲积层序是在盆地伸展末期地貌反差强度减弱物源距离逐渐加大时的沉积产物,主要为干旱气候条件下的河流、三角洲沉积,湖泊沉积局限。研究表明,影响陆相层序形成的构造、物源、气候等因素与湖泊水体或水平面变化构成一种多元“函数”关系,湖平面变化是上述因素的综合体现。陆相断陷盆地的层序结构大多与湖泊水体之间存在密切联系,因此层序的结构以三分为主。受地壳构造运动控制,断陷盆地发育的层序具有序列性,即下部洪积层序、中部湖泊层序和上部冲积层序。这种序列性是盆地充填对地壳幕式伸展的沉积响应。在盆地充填过程中,不同类型的陆相层序其体系域发育程度具有较大差异。一般地,洪积层序的低位域沉积?     

Land suitability decision support for assessing land use changes in areas west of Nile Delta,Egypt

The main objective of this study was to discuss the efficiency of agricultural land suitability for assessing land use types in rural areas. In this research, El-Nubariya area west of Nile Delta was selected as a case study site, which considers one of the high priority regions for future development in Egypt. As input, a total of ten representative soil profiles and number of observations points were used for collecting soil samples. Based on the field survey, laboratory analysis, and satellite image interpretation in cooperation with geographic information system (GIS), the physiographic map was executed. Three main landscape units were identified as follow: marine deposits, eolian deposits, and river terraces. The soils were classified mainly as Typic Torripsamments, Typic Paleorthids, and Typic Calciorthids. Land suitability assessment was done to define maps of the suitable areas for agricultural production using MicroLEIS microcomputer program and ALESarid-GIS system as well. According to the crop suitability results, the most suitable crops to grow in the study area were maize, melon, potato, sunflower, onion, garlic, olive, and date palm in the order indicated. Generally, the data on land suitability resulting from the evaluation models indicated that 56.1 % of the area is considered as suitable, 30.8 % is moderately to marginally suitable, and 13.1 % is not suitable. The main limitation factors for land suitability are the excess of salts, shallow soil depth, and inadequate drainage conditions. The output results are presented as georeferenced soil suitability maps using GIS utilities.     

柴达木盆地北缘古近纪—新近纪古地理演化*

根据野外露头剖面和岩心观察,钻、录井及测井曲线以及地震等资料,研究了柴达木盆地北缘古近系—新近系的沉积相类型和沉积特征,结果表明该区主要发育冲积扇、扇三角洲、辫状河、辫状河三角洲及湖泊等沉积相类型。柴达木盆地北缘的沉积时空展布受盆地基底的构造格架及阿尔金山斜坡带生长逆冲断裂系、北缘逆冲断层和古隆起的联合作用,沉积体系具有多样性。冷湖地区受逆冲断层作用,发育了冲积扇—扇三角洲—湖泊沉积体系;马海—南八仙地区则受逆冲断层和古隆起的双重控制,发育冲积扇—辫状河—辫状河三角洲—湖泊沉积体系。在沉积相分析的基础上对古地理演化进行了系统分析,为下一步的油气勘探工作提供可靠的地质资料。     

Land reclamation in Egypt: A study of life in the new lands

For decades, Egypt has tried to increase its agricultural area through reclamation of desert land. The significance of land reclamation goes beyond the size of the reclaimed area and number of new settlers and has been important to Egyptian agricultural policies since the 1952-revolution. This paper examines from a micro-perspective, the life of Egyptians resettled in the new lands. The first part of the paper provides an introduction to the discourses of land reclamation, to the policies of reclaimed land distribution, and to the background of the settlers. The second part is based on fieldwork in a village in the new lands; it is inhabited by graduates who have received land under the Mubarak Project. The analysis shows that they move there in hope of making a better life especially for their children. Nevertheless, the settlers have difficulties building a sense of belonging to the new villages, and lack of good schools and other public services may cause families to split up. For some, however, resettlement in the new lands entails new social and economic possibilities. The paper concludes that while land reclamation may not be ecologically or economic sustainable, the new lands provide settlers with new opportunities.     

贵州省近40年耕地功能转型评价及演变差异分析

梳理1978年之后贵州省农业政策及农业农户概况,构建耕地功能评价指标体系,并运用熵权法计算指标权重与其功能值,对耕地多功能进行分类和评价,对比全省及各个州市耕地在不同社会经济条件下所承载的功能,分析差异及原因,研究表明:（1）贵州省耕地功能呈下降趋势,功能转型从2006年前后开始,各州市存在一定差异,经济发展较快的地区在2004年前后已提前转型,经济发展较慢的地区在2012年前后转型;（2）耕地功能存在空间分布差异,主要与地区耕地压力和经济发达程度组合状况有关,低耕低压力高GDP（如遵义、六盘水）耕地功能值最高,高耕低压力高GDP（如贵阳市）则次之,高压力低GDP（如安顺等地区）再次之,低压力低GDP（如黔南等地）最低;（3）耕地数量减少,耕地化学品负荷加剧,建议注重耕地生态保护,减少以过度化学品的投入换取粮食产出等不合理做法;从当地实际出发选择适合的农业发展方式,协调粮经作物、种养业发展的关系,推动农业结构优化升级。      

Causes of Land Subsidence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The occurrence of land subsidence in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia is either natural or man-made. Natural land subsidence occurs due to the development of subterranean voids by a solution of host rocks in carbonate and evaporite terrains, over many areas of Saudi Arabia. Man-induced land subsidence is either due to the removal of groundwater in the agricultural areas or to wetting of unstable soils. Therefore, earth fissures and a lowering of the ground surface in unconsolidated sediments took place in alluvial plains and volcanic vent terrains. Unstable soils include Sabkha soils and loess sediments. These types of soils occur in coastal plains, desert areas and volcanic terrains. When this soil is wetted either during agricultural activities, waste disposal or even during a rain storm, subsidence takes place due to either the removal of salts from the Sabkha soil or the rearrangement of soil particles in loess sediments.     

第四纪洞庭盆地沅江凹陷东缘鹿角地区构造—沉积演化研究

沅江凹陷为第四纪洞庭盆地东部的一个次级凹陷。通过地表地质调查和钻孔资料,在沅江凹陷东缘北部鹿角地区第四纪构造、沉积及地貌特征研究基础上,探讨并提出其构造-沉积演化过程：早更新世早期洪湖-湘阴断裂和荣家湾断裂相继活动,断裂以西地区断陷沉降并沉积,以东地区则构造抬升而遭受风化剥蚀。早更新世末期凹陷区东部构造反转抬升并遭受侵蚀。中更新世早期和中期凹陷区断陷沉降并接受沉积。中更新世晚期研究区整体抬升而遭受剥蚀。晚更新世西部主凹陷区在稳定或弱沉降并形成泥质沉积,东部间歇性抬升。在上述中更新世晚期开始的构造抬升的同时,研究区东部产生了自东向西、自南向北的构造掀斜。全新世构造总体稳定,西部洞庭湖区形成湖冲积。区域上,第四纪洞庭盆地构造性质经历了早期断陷到晚期坳陷的转变。     

Assessment of groundwater vulnerability based on a modified DRASTIC model, GIS and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method: the case of Egirdir Lake basin (Isparta, Turkey)

A DRASTIC-model method based on a geographic information system (GIS) was used to study groundwater vulnerability in Egirdir Lake basin (Isparta, Turkey), an alluvial area that has suffered agricultural pollution. ‘Lineament’ and ‘land use’ were added to the DRASTIC parameters, and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method determined the rating coefficients of each parameter. The effect of lineament and land-use parameters on the resulting vulnerability maps was determined with a single-parameter sensitivity analysis. Of the DRASTIC parameters, land use affects the aquifer vulnerability map most and lineament affects it least, after topography. A simple linear regression analysis assessed the statistical relation between groundwater nitrate concentration and the aquifer vulnerability areas; the highest R ² value was obtained with the modified-DRASTIC-AHP method. The DRASTIC vulnerability map shows that only the shoreline of Egirdir Lake and the alluvium units have high contamination potential. In this respect, the modified DRASTIC vulnerability map is quite similar. According to the modified-DRASTIC-AHP method, the lakeshore areas of Senirkent-Uluborlu and Hoyran plains, and all of the Yalvaç-Gelendost plain, have high contamination potential. Analyses confirm that groundwater nitrate content is high in these areas. By comparison, the modified-DRASTIC-AHP method has provided more valid results.     

Utilization of remote sensing data and GIS tools for and use sustainability analysis: case study in El-Hammam area, Egypt

The North-Western Coast of Egypt (NWCE) represents one of the high priority regions for future development in the country. El-Hammam area is located in the NWCE with an area of 94752 acres and is one of the main challenging regions for sustaianble development. In this study, we have used remote sensing and soil data in combination with GIS tools, for land use sustainable analysis (SLU) in El-Hammam area. The SLU was established based on various factors such as: land capability and suitability, water resources availability, economic return from water and financial return from land and water. A physiographic soil map for the study area was prepared using remote sensing and GIS. Multiple field surveys were carried out for collecting information on various soil map units (SMUs) and their profiles. Laboratory analysis for the collected samples was performed, and then the soil properties were stored as attributes in a geographical soil database linked with the SMUs. Furthermore, land capability assessment was done to define the suitable areas for agricultural production using a capability model built in ALES software. Results indicate that the area currently lacks high capability and moderate capability classes. By improving the soil properties, the soil can attain potential capability; and 55630 acres will become marginally capable. The assessment of soil physical suitability for different land use types (LUTs) were analysed in ALES software, in order to generate the most suitable areas. The results from the land suitability analysis indicated that, 17114 acres are moderately suitable for wheat and sorghum; whereas 15823 acres are moderately suitable for barley and 12752 acres are moderately suitable for maize, olive and figs. Finally, the SLU was investigated based on two scenarios; (1) the most SLU under the conditions of shortage of irrigation water: clover, barley and sorghum against figs, as the irrigation requirements for barley and sorghum are low; (2) the most sustainable land use in the conditions of irrigation availability will be wheat and maize against figs and guava. From the results it is quite evident that GIS combined with modeling approaches are powerful tools for decision making in the study area.     

冲积和湖积成因土壤Cd的吸附特征:以安徽省当涂县为例

为揭示冲积与湖积成因土壤镉的吸附特征,以安徽省当涂县冲积成因的江心洲和冲积、湖积成因的大陇乡根际土壤为研究对象,开展土壤镉的等温吸附实验和吸附动力学实验.等温吸附实验结果表明,冲积土壤镉的吸附量（S）、等温吸附常数（K）和固液分配系数（K_d）均较湖积土壤明显偏大,显示冲积土壤对镉的吸附能力较湖积土壤强;吸附动力学实验表明,冲积土壤的最大吸附量、平衡吸附量均较湖积土壤大,吸附速率也明显偏大,尤其在吸附实验早期更为显著;等温吸附常数K和平衡吸附速率V_b与土壤理化性质的分析表明,土壤pH是造成研究区土壤镉吸附能力差异的主要原因,其次为物理性粘粒含量;土壤pH是影响研究区冲积土壤镉吸附能力的主要因素;湖积土壤镉的吸附能力受土壤pH、有机质含量、Cd含量、物理性粘粒含量等因素的综合影响.研究对于揭示Cd在水土系统的迁移转化规律以及土壤Cd的污染防治具有重要的指导意义.      

基于遥感和景观分类的北京市裸露农田分析和治理对策

基于遥感影像的决策树分类,结合土地利用图,将北京市农业地表覆盖划分为春玉米、冬小麦、果园、林木苗圃、牧草地、设施农业和畜禽饲养地。考虑海拔、坡度和土壤质地三个因子将北京市分成10个景观区,在景观分区和不同农业用地基础上划分出39类农业景观单元。利用基于遥感影像计算的归一化差异植被指数,结合实地调查验证,分类出北京市冬春季裸露农田。结合景观分类,分析了不同景观单元冬春季地表裸露情况。结果表明：2007—2008年冬春季裸露农田共8.05×104 hm2,主要分布在延庆盆地、密云水库北岸和城区边缘的近郊农业区;海拔和土地利用方式对裸露情况影响较大,其中山区春玉米和平原果园裸露情况绝对面积较大,分别占到总裸露农田面积的40%和17%,牧草地、林木苗圃与设施农业地裸露程度较高。基于不同景观单元裸露程度,结合绿肥种植、保护性耕作、生草覆盖等裸露农田治理方法,探讨了北京市农业产业和景观一体化建设策略。     

Paleosols of the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Tertiary Maghra El-Bahari Formation in the northeastern portion of the Eastern Desert,Egypt: Their recognition and geological significance

The Upper Cretaceous/Lower Tertiary Maghra El-Bahari Formation at Gabal Ataqa and Gabal Shabrawet in the northeastern portion of the Eastern Desert of Egypt is subdivided into two informal lithostratigraphic parts: lower and upper. The lower part has common features of alluvial floodplain-dominated deposits with occasional occurrences of crevasse splay deposits. The upper part has sediments typical of marginal lacustrine environments.Both the floodplain and marginal lacustrine deposits exhibit pedogenic features comprising various types of paleosols. Among other soil-forming processes, diversity in the paleosols studied is mainly attributed to paleoclimatic and paleohydrologic changes. The paleosol criteria suggest two climatic regimes, a subhumid–semiarid one succeeded by a semiarid-arid one.The continental depositional environments recognized (floodplain and lacustrine) with their associated paleosols helped in the recognition of a marine regression in the area studied. In a regional perspective, comparison of the data presented in this study with paleosol data spanning the same time period in other localities suggests that the proposed paleoclimatic changes may have been of regional extent.     

Agricultural land use in the coastal area of the Alexander von Humboldt National Park, Cuba and its implication for conservation and sustainability

In the Alexander von Humboldt National Park in eastern Cuba many endemic animals and plants are found in various different natural habitats, which are considered to be the most important ones for in-situ conservation in the entire Insular Caribbean. In some areas of the National Park agriculture is practised. Thus, the objective of this study was to document and analyse the different land use activities and their consequences for local resource management and conservation of biodiversity in two village areas. A particular question was: what has changed since the foundation of the National Park in 1996? As time series data for land use and aerial photographs were not available for this part of Cuba, a qualitative evaluation was carried out. For this, six different land use units were mapped in 2001 and additional information gathered for areas with special interest related to sustainable land use and resource conservation. Although most parts of the study area are influenced to various degrees by human impact, the different types of land use seem presently not to have a crucial or detrimental impact on the land resources of the Alexander von Humboldt National Park. However, exploitation of the natural resources in certain areas could be improved with different management options to reach sustainability as well as to meet the conservation objectives of the National Park. This includes reduced or abandoned agricultural use of steep slopes to reduce erosion risk as well as a facilitated regeneration of natural vegetation in many parts of the study area to be able to conserve the high valuable biodiversity of the Park. Environmental education seems to have played an important and successful role since the foundation of the Park in 1996. Since then, cropping on steep slopes as well as illegal logging and poaching could be reduced.