Wind erosion and its impact on the decline in soil biological productivity in Al-Alam district using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques
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Abstract
The present paper deals with the impact of wind erosion on the decline of soil productivity. The problem lies in the methodological inadequacy of traditional mathematical models and general spectral indices in accurately characterizing wind erosion within arid environments of complex soil properties (gypsiferous and calcareous), particularly given the lack of local meteorological stations. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the interplay between topographic, climatic, and morphodynamic characteristics and their impact on erosion activity in Al-Alam District. The methodology focuses on aligning traditional modeling with modern geoinformatic techniques by processing Landsat 8 satellite imagery. Spectral indices (NDVI, SAVI, BSI, GSI) were used to determine the levels of wind erosion and its impact on soil sustainability. The results showed a strong positive correlation between wind speed and soil loss, and revealed a significant effect of slope severity on erosion acceleration; the sensitivity (ILSWE) values increased by 27.6% in ranges exceeding 16 degrees. The SAVI index proved highly effective in neutralizing spectral noise resulting from background reflections of exposed soil, with the SAVI index reaching 42.5% of the studied area in the 'severe degradation' category due to wind erosion, necessitating urgent technical interventions in geomorphological hazard hotspots.
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