Geographia Technica, Vol 9, Issue no. 2/2014, pp. 1-8

MAPPING OF ENVIRONMENTAL VULNERABILITY OF DESERTIFICATION BY ADAPTATION OF THE MEDALUS METHOD IN THE ENDOREIC AREA OF GADAINE (EASTERN ALGERIA)

Rabah BOUHATA, Mahdi KALLA

ABSTRACT: The development of endoreic areas of arid and semi arid climate character is strongly affected by the land conservation and combating desertification. Desertification is the result of a set of several processes. In this study, we apply the MEDALUS method (Mediterranean desertification and Land Use) on an endoreic area (Gadaine), which is located in the highlands of eastern Algeria, in order to map the desertification vulnerability due to soil salinity. This mapping was developed by crossing four thematic layers (vegetation, climate, soil, management system and human influence). Application of this method is based on the identification of vulnerable areas by different parameters (grouped into four indicators cited above) that can affect the process of desertification, using a powerful tool of spatial analysis that allows modeling of each layer. Cartographic and alphanumeric data are entered and organized in a managed and analyzed database by a Geographic Information System (GIS). The result provides a document on spatial priority areas of intervention and opens new opportunities for integrated management of this endoreic area.


Keywords: MEDALUS method, Desertification, Gadaine, GIS, Vulnerability

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