SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND DEGRADATION RISK ASSESSMENT OF SOME CULTIVATED ALLUVIAL SOILS OF AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY, ASSIUT GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Abstract

: This research aims to characterize soils of Al-Azhar university of Assiut and mapping them on a large scale for more information. Moreover, assessment the risk of soil degradation for understanding the current situation of land uses and its management. The characteristics of the investigated soils ranged from 1.39 to 2.72%, 1.37 to 1.48 dSm −1 , 2.07 to 4.85% and slowly to very slowly permeable as weighted means for CaCO 3 content, salinity, sodicity and permeability condition, respectively. The soils could be divided into two mapping unites; (1) nearly level deep fine textured soils which is the major one, (2) nearly level deep moderately fine textured soils. High hazard of compaction covered the total area as a result of human activities along with very high values of physical degradation and low to moderate effects of chemical degradation threaten the studied soils. Anthropogenic factor had a clear impact on processes of land degradation and actual hazard in terms of inadequate soil management, intensive irrigation procedures, using heavy machinery and absence of conservation measures. The running situation of land degradation within the studied area is very serious and misses a correct land use planning and management.