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.     

Land classification of part of Thrace (East Rhodope) by visual interpretation of MSS images of first and second generation landsat images

The aim of this investigation was the classification of East Rhodope mountain ridge area and the surrounding hills and plains into mapping units by visual interpretation of 1:500,000 paper print enlargements of MSS false colour composites (bands 1, 2 and 4) of LANDSAT-4 and MSS (band 7) of LANDSAT-1, supported by limited field observation and background information available from earlier surveys and maps. The basic mapping units used in the present study was the land systems (developed by CSIRO in Australia) because they are easily recognizable on LANDSAT images by their destinctive combination of physiography, soils and vegetation.The twenty various land systems occurring in the study area, such as high/low mountains with smooth/sharp summits, nearly flat/undulated plains, slightly/strongly dissected hilles etc., were defined and mapped on small scale of 1:500,000. They are of considerable interest because they provide the framework for production of the same scale geological and geo-morphological maps, erosion studies, soil, vegetation and other thematic mapping for natural resources surveys, because LANDSAT images reveal details of terrain and microrelief that can never be reproduced on a topographic map. Also this land system map may modify or add to earlier small scale thematic maps (geology, soils and vegetation/forestry maps) produced in the past by other techniques.     

Effects of recent anthropogenic activities on the surface deposits of Kuwait

Kuwait experienced severe land degradation over the last 30 years due to different factors. This is reflected in soil loss, crusting, salinization, oil contamination, and vegetation cover deterioration. The recent surface deposits are considered as the local source of sand and dust storms, which have acute environmental hazards on the public health, the State’s economy, and the life quality. They are classified into two main categories: desert and coastal deposits. The distribution of the areas affected by deflation processes and those affected by depositional processes revealed that the northern desert of Kuwait is receiving intense sand supply, but on the other hand, the southern desert of Kuwait has a lower frequency of sand deposits. This study is based on visual comparison between the records of the 1980s and recent field surveys during 2001–2011, as they are the available sources of the relevant information to the scope of the study, to investigate the impact of the anthropogenic activities, the significant role of the aeolian processes, soil type, and climatic conditions on the land degradation, and subsequently the severe loss of vegetation and surfacial cover. A detailed sedimentomorphic map, scale 1:100,000, was prepared for the State of Kuwait based on the topographic map of Kuwait (scales 1:50,000, 1:100,000, and 1:250,000) and photomaps (scale 1:29,000), which were created as per the delineated information from the aerial photos (scale 1:29,000, years 1990, 2001) along with spectral and spatial resolution data of the Radarsat, Landsat-7, IRS-1D (Indian Remote Sensing), ERS, TM, SPOT-4, Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection, and IKANOS data in raw format for Kuwait images for the available years (1989, 1994, and 2000–2004), keeping in view of the terrain in Kuwait and the objective of the study.     

Flood hazard map of La Trinidad (NW Nicaragua). Method and results

During the Mitch Hurricane event (October 1998), severe floods occurred in the village of La Trinidad (Departamento de Estelí, NW Nicaragua), which spreads at the margin of La Trinidad river. As a consequence, the need for hazard assessment and land use planning to reduce the effects of these natural processes arose. Nicaragua is a developing country, which means that there is a scarcity of good quality data on which to base these hazard assessments (i.e., lack of detailed topographic maps, lack of meteorological and discharge data series). Therefore, the main objective of the present work was to generate a flood hazard map of La Trinidad by means of a simple method, with a resulting map easy to understand and to use by the municipality for land use planning. There is no topographic map of the area at a more detailed scale than 1:50,000. So the main document that supports all the data and on which the final hazard map was based is the orthophotograph at 1:5,000 scale (generated from vertical aerial photographs taken in 2000). The method used was based on classical interpretation of vertical aerial photographs (pre Mitch and a post Mitch event), detailed field work, inquiries among the population and analysis of the main pattern of storms occurring in the area. All these data allowed the reconstruction of different extensions and water levels corresponding to events of different frequency and magnitude, and the qualitative association of them to three hazard levels by means of energy and frequency. The use of orthophotographs of 1:5,000 proved to be very useful both for the development of the work and for the presentation of the final map, because they are very easily understandable for people not trained in the interpretation of topographic maps.     

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.     

Using GIS modeling to assess the agricultural sustainability in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt

The evaluation of agricultural sustainability status helps in identifying specific indicators that constrain the achievement of sustainable agriculture. The agricultural sector in Egypt is facing major sustainability constraints such as scarce land and water resources, environmental degradation, and rapid population growth as well as institutional arrangement including land tenure and farm fragmentation, agricultural administration, lack of infrastructure, and credit utilization and high interest rates. This study aims to evaluate the agricultural sustainability in some areas in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, north of the Nile Delta; the international framework for evaluating sustainable land management was used for realizing this objective. The map of the physiographic soils of the studied area was produced depending upon Landsat ETM⁺ images analysis; the results indicate that the area includes three main landscapes, i.e., alluvial, lacustrine, and marine plains. The characteristics of productivity, security, protection, economic viability, and social acceptability in the different mapping units were assessed. The obtained results show that the studied area includes two different class types, the first are the lands that are marginally below the requirement of sustainability and the second are those lands that do not meet sustainability requirements. The former class is represented by the physiographic units of alluvial plain, whereas the latter class is represented by the physiographic units of the lacustrine and marine plains. The sustainability constrains in the studied area are related to the soil productivity, economic viability, and social acceptability.     

Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques to Study Soil Degradation Processes in North Shaanxi Province, China

Satellite image data and thematic map data were used to provide comprehensive views of surface-bound conditions such as soil and vegetation degradation. The current work applies a computerized parametric methodology, developed by FAO, UNEP and UNESCO to assess and evaluate soil degradation at 1 : 250 000 mapping scale. The study area is located in the arid and semi-arid zone of the northern part of Shaanxi Province in China, a region with considerable agricultural potential; Landsat TM images were utilized to provide recent data on land cover and use of the area. ARC/INFO and Arc-View softwares were used to manage and manipulate thematic data, to process satellite images, and tabular data source. ER mapper software is utilized to derive the normalized difference vegetation index (ND VI) values while field data to estimate soil erodibility (SE) factor. A system is established for rating soil parameters, slope, climate factor and human factor activity. The rating values serve as inputs into a modified universal soil loss equation (USLE) to calculate the present state and risk for soil degradation processes, namely soil wind erosion. The produced maps and tabular data show the risk and the present status of different soil degradation processes. The study area, in general, is exposed to high risk of wind erosion and high hazards of water erosion. Several desertification maps were produced, which reflect the desertification types persisting in the study area. Wind erosion, water erosion, vegetation degradation,physical degradation and salinization are the basic desertification maps, and others are combinations of these basic maps. In terms of statistic analysis, 33.75 % of the total land area (120. 330 0 ha) is considered as sand or sand dune, and not included in our analysis of desertification. About 29. 41% of the total land area has slight or moderate desertification and 37. 465 % is facing severe desertification.     

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.     

A multisource approach for coastal mapping purposes: Limeni bay,Mani and surrounding area,southern Greece

A multipurpose engineering geological map of a natural heritage site including inland and offshore areas has been compiled to provide information on many aspects for land use optimization, sustainable development and environmental protection. The mapping approach was based on data provided by conventional onland field works, marine remote sensing survey and aerial photo interpretation. These data sources were integrated into a GIS platform allowing reliable mapping solutions. The geological formations encountered were grouped into individual geotechnical units according to uniformity in lithological character, while the seabed sub-bottom structure was also obtained through several seafloor thematic map compilation. Shoreline variability and evolution for a long time period (1945–2008) were also investigated and mapped. The synergistic use of the results deducted from those disciplinary surveys is finally presented in a single engineering geological map covering the onshore and offshore area.     

黑龙江省讷河市土壤-作物系统Se元素地球化学特征

根据东北黑土地1：25万土地质量地球化学调查资料,采集黑龙江省讷河市表层土壤（0~20 cm）样品1627组,深层（150~200 cm）样品415组.对不同类型土壤微量元素Se的全量、有效态含量、农作物籽实Se含量,以及Se在剖面中的分布特征进行了分析研究.结果显示：1）表层土壤Se元素含量平均为0.239×10^-6,低于全国和世界土壤平均值,高于黑龙江省和东北平原平均值,表层土壤Se含量以足硒为主要特征,足硒土地面积达84.21%;2）不同类型土壤硒含量有一定差异,黑土、黑钙土、草甸土Se含量高于暗棕壤、沼泽土和新积土;3）不同土地利用类型Se含量表现为交通用地、建设用地和耕地Se含量高于林地、草地和水利用地,反映出与人类活动强度关系密切;4）在土壤剖面中Se含量随深度增加呈现降低的趋势,表层土壤Se含量最高;5）玉米、大豆、水稻主要农作物籽实Se元素平均含量0.035×10^-6,呈低Se特征,可依靠农业科技开发富硒产品,提高粮食质量.     

Transgression of an estuarine channel and tidal flat complex: the Lower Triassic of Barles, Alpes de Haute Provence, France

The Lower Triassic succession of Barles, Alpes de Haute Provence, France, comprises an unconformable quartz arenite sand body of 90m thickness. The succession may be informally divided into (i) lower channellized cross-bedded member overlain by (ii) an upper fining upward member. The lower member comprises vertically stacked, subtidal channel units separated into five major sand bodies by thin developments of fine grained channel margin and shoal deposits. Subtidal channel fill deposits are dominated by varying scales of cross bedding. These scales vary systematically from the base to the top of the member, with large scale planar sets dominating the lowest channel sand body (sand body 1), medium scale planar and trough cross bedding characterizing sand bodies 2-4, the largest scale planar sets in the highest sand body (sand body 5). This upward change in cross bedding scale is concomitant with a decrease in both the relief of major channel sand body erosion surfaces, and the proportion of preserved interchannel shoal deposits. The succeeding fining upward member comprises small scale tidal channel units overlain by channel shoal and tidal flat deposits. Tidal flat sequences are characterized by parallel laminated, wave and current rippled sandstones separated by bioturbated, fine grained siltstones and mudstones. The vertical variation in facies of the Lower Triassic succession suggests two main periods of deposition. The lower member is considered to preserve successively more seaward components of a transgressive estuarine complex. The overlying upper member records the seaward progradation of tidal channel, shoal and tidal flat environments. The unconformity bounded nature of the lower member, combined with its systematic variation in facies, suggests it may represent an incised valley-estuarine fill developed in response to an early Triassic relative sea level fall and subsequent rise. Succeeding tidal channel and tidal flat deposits forming the upper fining upward member reflect a change in sediment supply and/or rate of relative sea level rise comparable with a progradational shoreline. It is unclear whether this final depositional episode represents a period of highstand progradation or a later lowstand shoreline system developed following a further period of relative sea level fall and rise.     

Application of geomorphologic knowledge for erosion hazard mapping

An erosion hazard map was elaborated using geomorphologic and lithological information; this was the base to characterize the erodibility of the territory. The aim of the proposed methodology is to define the areas where more detailed studies are necessary (e.g., to estimate rates of soil erosion, mitigation measurements, land use) to prevent future problems. Field work and remote sensing data (study of historical aerial photographs and satellite images) were used to understand the geomorphologic evolution and the current processes taking place in an area; this information was used to group the units according to its lithology, dynamic and slope inclination. The map was processed using the geographical information system and categorized in zones of very high, high, moderate, low and null fluvial erosion hazards. The map covers the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, which is experiencing serious problems of mass wasting processes, collapse and settlements of foundations. Most affected areas belong to the Tierra Blanca Joven tephras which are unsaturated and cover most of the surface; nowadays, the urban projects and infrastructure resting in this material are suffering from extensive damage. The geotechnical information on the tephras shows a decrease in strength and collapsible behavior when saturated. Due to this, the use of Quickdraw tensiometers (suction) and TMS3 (soil moisture content) is proposed for monitoring. The methodology of erosion hazard mapping correlates well with mass wasting reported in the studied area, and for this reason, it could be a good way to protect the natural resources and improve the land use.     

Locating boundaries between mapping units

A linear discriminant function can be used to place the boundary between two mapping units, if multiple measurements are available for samples collected from both units. The function is calculated using samples of known group membership, then is applied to classify samples of unknown group identity. The plot of the discriminant index on a map of the study area locates the contact between the two groups. Boundary position can be evaluated by comparing data models based upon the boundary with the distributions of the original variables. This method is applied to locate the boundary between two soil mapping units. Samples of two contrasting soils were collected on a gridded sampling pattern positioned at the contact between two mapping units. Samples were analyzed for physical and chemical properties, including sand content, silt content, and pH. The boundary was located, then separately evaluated with respect to the sand, silt, and pH measurements. The discriminant score boundary corresponded closely to the sand content measurements, but did not match the silt or pH distributions.     

Designs of medium scale hazard maps of mountain slopes in Japan

Conclusion The ultimate hill-slope hazard map may be a map showing the degree of hazard risk of each geomorphic units, but no such a quadangle sheet has been drawn yet. For the present, the exact distribution of the concave type hillslope, that is the slope of landslide or of talus, is still important for a practical use. And so, how to express the slope topography clearly is the first problem in making the medium scale geomorphic hazard sheet and then how to draw rapidly is the second. Some part of the two problems are solved by the computer mapping method using the finer degital elevation model.     

空间数据库技术实现定量古地理研究——以鄂尔多斯盆地中奥陶统一个三级层序的形成时间为例

以沉积层序为时间单位进行岩相古地理研究需要对野外剖面、测井、录井、地震、岩心等海量数据进行定量分析对比,而传统的人工方法往往难以有效地管理并利用这些资料。文中使用空间数据库技术将基础地质数据以自然层为单位,按统一标准定量化处理;并以层序为单位计算、统计、分析,提取厚度、白云岩含量、灰泥含量、陆源碎屑含量等反映沉积环境特征的多种单因素,定量绘制各单因素等值线图。在区域地质背景分析的基础上,将各单因素等值线图叠加分析,并探索定量古地理研究方法——通过单因素复合公式计算值划分古地理单元的边界,最终绘制出古地理图。以鄂尔多斯奥陶系马五组上部一个层序时段(464～466Ma)为例,运用上述方法自动识别出古陆、山丘高地、潮上带、潮间带、潮下带等古地理单元。研究表明,空间数据库技术是实现定量古地理的有效手段。     

黑河中游绿洲灌溉区土地覆盖与种植结构空间格局遥感监测

以高空间分辨率、高光谱分辨率CASI航空遥感数据作为采样带,对黑河中游绿洲灌溉区土地覆盖和农作物种植结构空间格局进行遥感监测。设计了分层分类方法,综合采用基于像素和基于对象的2种遥感图像分类方法对航空样带区域进行土地覆盖制图。根据实地土地覆盖类型调查与目视解译,对样带土地覆盖和农作物种植结构的分类结果进行精度评价,总体分类精度为84.2%,Kappa系数为0.793。与样带区域2007年Landsat TM/ETM+土地覆盖产品相比,高分辨率CASI航空数据能够对树木、草地与农作物类别进行有效监测。监测结果表明,中游绿洲灌溉区内接近59.1%的地区为裸地与建筑用地;植被覆盖区域占39.8%,其中,农田34.9%,树木5.3%,草地仅有0.1%;而在农田区域中玉米为大宗作物,分类成数占96.1%。研究结果表明高质量与高分辨率的航空遥感数据能够实现对流域下垫面异质性进行有效监测,为生态—水文过程研究提供高分辨率的下垫面类型信息。