Abdellatif A.D. Y. K. El Ghonamey and M.M. Shoman( 2019). Geomorphological and pedological studies on southeast qattara depression, egypt using Rs and gisMenoufia J. Soil Sci., Vol. 4 April (2019) : 71 – 88
Abstract: Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS techniques are used in this study to identify the geomorphic units and produce the geomorphic map in addition to soil map of southeast Qattara Depression, Western Desert, Egypt. Soil classification and land evaluation for this area are also performed. According to the RS and GIS works, seven geomorphic units are recognized in the studied area. These units are gently undulated Low Terraces (29.0%), undulated Low Terraces (25.0%), gently undulated High Terraces (15.0 %), undulated High Terraces (17.0 %), Out Wash Plains (8.0 %), Alluvial Plains (3.0 %) and Residual Hills (4.0 %). The soils of the different geomorphic units were represented by 22 soil profiles. The soil morphological description was carried out and 65 disturbed soil samples were collected for physical and chemical analyses. The correlation between geomorphic units and their soils was carried out and then the soil map was created using the Arc- GIS 10.x software. Based on the land characteristics, the studied soils were classified up to the family level according to Soil Survey Staff (2014). These soils could be affiliated to Aridisols and Entisols orders. The soils are evaluated according to their capability for agriculture in the current and potential situations. The results revealed that, the studied soils could be categorized into four classes namely, moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), current not suitable (N1), and permanent not suitable (N2). The limitations affected these soils are texture, salinity & alkalinity and CaCO3. The potential capability of these soils are predicted when their limitations well be remedied. Also, the suitability for cultivation four main crops namely wheat, barley, potato and olive in the studied area are assessed. The results indicated that, olive was the most suitable for growing in these soils.
Keywords: (RS, GIS, geomorphic units, soil classification, land evaluation)
