Using a Modified Medlaus Model to Assess the Environmental Sensitivity for Desertification in El-Gallaba Plain, New Aswan City, Aswan, Egypt

This study aims to use the Geographic Information System (GIS) of spatial analyses for environmental desertification sensitivity assessment in the El-Gallaba Plain region, New Aswan City, Aswan governorate, Egypt, using the soil characteristics and the modified MEDALUS methodology. Five indicators of desertification including soil factor, climate, soil erosion, vegetation, and land management to calculate the environmental sensitivity to desertification. The Desertification Sensitivity Model (DSSM) was designed to assess and map the sensitivity of land to desertification, depending on the weighted mean of some soil properties. The obtained data reveals that 5.03% (50.3 hectares, or 119.7 feddans) of the area is sensitive to desertification. While the area exposed to very severe sensitivity to desertification is about 94.97% (949.7 hectares, or 2260.3 feddans) of the studied area. The results obtained showed that the area under study suffers from desertification sensitivity due to mismanagement, topographic conditions, scarcity of vegetation cover, lack of exploitation of the land, soil quality, and wind erosion, as well as climate condition. Whereas the majority of the studied region is susceptible to desertification, it could be concluded that assessing its sensitivity is crucial for sustainable development measures to prevent it as well as for enhancing the use of natural resources. Additionally, the region requires significant efforts from everyone, including the Egyptian government, to counteract desertification through efficient management of the greatest hazards to sustainable development in the arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid areas of many countries.