Detection and evaluation of land degradation along the northern coast of Egypt using multi temporal satellite images [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The study area is located in the northern Mediterranean coast of Egypt between EI-Hammam town, to the east and EI-Alamean town, to the west. The area, from the seacoast to the Libyan plateau is composed of calcareous formation of Pliocene and Pleistocene ages, but covered by recent sediments. The wind and fluvial activities rework the sediments. The southerly dusty warm storms harm cultivation and cause soil water loss through its influence on increasing evapotranspiration. Also grazing and collection of plants for fuel, on large scale, have undoubtedly hindered the natural development of the vegetation and the soils. The current research aims to detect and assess the indictors of land degradation through the use of multi-nature remote sensing facilities and multi-temporal satellite images. Two windows of SPOT XS satellite images dated 1988 and 1997 were digitally enhanced, geometrically corrected and classified. Field investigation was carried out on bases of the preliminary image analysis. Hyperid classification technique was generated using both ground truth and spectral classes. A present state soil map was produced on basis of SPOT XS image of 1997 and field investigation. It was possible to drive out two reliable land use I land cover maps of years 1988 and 1997. Application of change detection technique on the two sets of data showed an increase in the area of saline and hyper saline soils from 1988 to 1997. Areas of vegetation, characterized by plant species that grow as short individuals, increased on expense of vegetation, characterized by plant species that grow as tall individuals. Resort houses and artificial limestone quarries as well as fig orchards that are maintained by medium to high level of agricultural replaced coastal dunes and other ridge components.

Summary in Arabic.

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