Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (GARJAS) ISSN: 2315-5094
January 2016 Vol. 5(1): pp. 042-050
Copyright © 2016 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sand dune distribution and related impacts on agricultural resources of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, using integrated remote sensing-GIS techniques

Gad, A

National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), 23, Josef Brows Tito, El-Nozha El-Gededa, Cairo, Egypt  P.O Box 1564-Alf Maskan.

Email: abdallagad1@gmail.com

Accepted 13 January, 2016

Abstract

Sinai Peninsula, as a vital strategic region, is prioritized in the recent government sustainable development program. Availability of potable water is essential for any effort of cultivation or implementation of new societies. Arc-GIS system was used for building the thematic layers model, including contour lines, wells locations, roads, urban areas, agriculture and main wadies. Analyzing the SPOT images (acquired in year 2011) and Landsat ETM+ (acquired in 2000) made it possible to define four dune movement rate categories. The lowest movement rate (2.54 to 3.72 m/year) characterizes the coastal areas, dominated by cultivations and vegetated land use pattern. The moderate movement category (4.0-5.5 m/year) dominates the south and southeast of Lake El Bardaweel. The moderately high category (5.5-7.0 m/year) characterizes the south of Kantara Shark and south El Sheikh Zwied city. The highest movement rate category (7.0-9.0 m/year) influences the south of cultivated El Salam Canal command area. It was found that the road network influenced by the high dune movement risk represents 37.78 % of Sinai roads network, located south of El Kantara Shark and East of Wadi El Arish. Most of urban areas (82.62 %) are located under a low risk of sand dunes movement. The cultivated lands located under the high risk of sand dunes represent 33.37 % of cultivated lands. It could be concluded that the sand dunes movement rate is controlled by the climate, vegetation cover and topography. The northern district of North Sinai is the most affected by sand dunes activities. 

Keywords: Remote Sensing, GIS, Sand dunes, Sinai, Egypt.