Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Research Instructor, Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Markazi, Arak, Iran
2 Research Instructor, Desert Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Desertification is a global problem and most of arid and semi-arid countries of the world including Iran face this phenomenon. Desertification causes many limitations in terms of agriculture, food supply, livestock farming, industry development and so forth. This phenomenon is a process that has gradually developed and intensified and the costs of modifications increase exponentially. Therefore, identification and assessment of factors effective in desertification, and determining the regions affected by this disaster are necessary for each region. FAO and UNEP method is considered as one of the best methods to evaluate desertification in which several processes are investigated. Vegetation degradation, water erosion, wind erosion, decline in the quality and quantity of water resources and soil salinization as well as livestock and population pressure on the environment are considered as the main processes in this study. This study was carried out in a twenty-year period with considering the oldest data, aerial photographs and satellite images. To evaluate each process, several indicators were considered and selected indicators were evaluated by field and library work. Four classes of low, moderate, severe and very severe were also selected for separation of desertification intensity. Each process was studied from three aspects i.e. current situation, velocity and the potential of desertification. Desertification maps were generated in GIS and then integrated to produce final map of desertification. According to the results, 125853 ha (%23), 251504 ha (%45), and 158819 ha (%29) were classified in classes of low, moderate, severe and very severe, respectively. Severe desertification mainly was observed in mountainous areas with slopes over 60 percent, and in saline and sodic marginal lands of Kavire-e-Meighan basin. Vegetation degradation and water erosion were identified as the main factors of desertification in this basin and livestock grazing was the main cause of worsening desertification. Obtained results provide a basis for better recognition and proper combating desertification in this area.
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