Evaluation of Desertification Hazard Potential in the Jaz-Murian Region based on Wind-Water Erosion

Abstract
Background and objectives: Erosion plays an important role in desertification process that its evaluation leads to better understanding of desertification potential. The sparse vegetation cover, low humidity and the scarcity of rainfall can make Jaz-Murian region prone to soil erosion and desertification. In this research, the sensitivity of the Jaz-Murian region to the desertification on the basis of erosion criteria is evaluated using IMDPA model.
Materials and Methods: In this research, the work unit map was created using geology, land use maps and Landsat 8 satellite imagery data. Water erosion indices were weighted based on the IMDPA method, and the IRIFR model was applied to evaluation of wind erosion. Finally, in order to represent desertification hazard, the water and wind erosion criteria were combined with each other in ArcGIS 10.1 software by calculating geometric mean of their indices.
Results: The findings of this research showed that the largest area in this region (approximately 5674 km2) classified in high class of desertification hazard. This means that the erosion factor play an important role in desertification process in the Jaz_Murian region. As well as, in comparison with water erosion, the wind erosion showed more effects on desertification because of the low level lands, recent droughts and subsequently the reduction of the humidity that can help to separate the soil particles and increase the erodibility. The work units including: "clay plain covered by degraded Nebka and Reboh”, “clay flat with separated Tamarix and Prosopis species”, “clay and salty lands covered by dominant vegetation of Seidlitzia rozmarinus and Hamada salicornica” and “Erg and sand dunes” showed the highest sensitivity to wind erosion that need to be in priority of the de-desertification plans.
Conclusion: According to the findings, it concluded that about the 97% of the study area is located in the high class of desertification hazard that needs to reduce the effects of erosion by introduce management strategies to combating desertification . As well as, rec lamation of vegetation covers and its conservation regarding ecological aspects can help to reduce erosion effects and de-desertification.
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