THE APPROACH OF DESERTIFICATION MAPPING USING MEDALUS METHODOLOGY IN IRAN

Abstract

Desertification process as a great problem affects most of the countries in the world specially developing <br />countries. This process has a high rate in arid and semi-arid countries such as Iran. The main objective of this <br />research was to investigate land degradation status and desertification mapping of Kashan area. Different <br />studies have been carried out in the world in order to assess desertification resulted in production of different <br />regional models for their application in another region the indices should be re-investigated and adjusted to <br />local conditions. So in this study, the newest method for assessment and ,mapping of desertification was used. <br />The method was carried out by European Commission (EC) at the MEDALUS project and booked as ESAs in <br />1999. All indices of the model were revised before using, and regarding to the region condition these indices for <br />land degradation were defined as key indices which were: hydrological index, wind erosion and climate index, <br />and each index has some layers getting from their geometric mean. Method were parameterized and tested for <br />Kashan area (91383 he) with dry climate. Thematic databases were integrated and elaborated by using a GIS <br />and its spatial modeling function. Finally by means of all the above mentioned information land degradation <br />mapping was provided. The area was presented as a present situation map of desertification on area. Among <br />the total studying area about 29867 ha is, under average class, 3600 ha is high class and 24021 ha is under <br />very high class desertification