Author(s)

M.N.J. Dedios, P.A. García-Ferrer, & M. Sánchez de la Orden

Abstract

Soil degradation process are site specific and differ in kind, and areal coverage of the affected area. Identification and mapping of areas affected by soil degradation by water in the Genil-Cordobilla sub basin of semi-arid region of Spain was performed. Impact of degradation on physical factors was evaluated. Soil degradation processes were identified by using Landsat TM and GIS integration techniques and ground truth verification. The kind, extend and severity of water degradations were mapped. In this case the water erosion were the major soil degradation process. In an area of over 740.06 Km2, 54.08% of the area was considered low erosion risk, 24.30% moderate, and 1.34% of the area was very hgh erosion risk. Nearly 20.28% of the area need urgent attention to arrest the process of soil degradation. Soil degradation process has resulted in the human unsuitable land use management.

Keywords