The system also facilitates computation and mapping environmental parameters of different quality indices, hence determining Desertification Sensitivity Areas (DSA’s). The Geographic Information System (GIS) is a valuable tool to store, retrieve, update and manipulate the huge amount of data needed to map aspects if each desertification process.

Climate Quality Index (CQI) may be computed, using meteorology satellites data. The EU-MEDLUS methodology assessing the environmental sensitivity to desertification is rather due to the use of remote sensing data in computing the Soil Quality Index (SQI), Vegetation Quality Index (VQI), and Management Quality Index (MQI). Multi temporal satellite imageries and thematic data make it possible to detect temporal land use/cover changes, hence compute the annual rate of a desertification process. Multi scale and multi spectral satellite sensors supply reliable data sources to point out variable indicators needed to evaluate the present status and risk of different degradation/desertification processes. Remote sensing, in addition to thematic maps, may supply valuable information concerning landscape features, vegetation type and quality and land use/cover, as inputs of the FAO-UNEP provisional methodology to assess aspects of different desertification processes.

Regional assessment scale for the whole territory of Egypt, in addition to some detailed case studies will be introduced, with adaptation of indicators scale. Both the descriptive and quantitative approaches will be followed and merged, showing advantages of combining both approaches in assessment, sizing and combating preparedness. urban encroachment, salinization and wind erosion) to be detailed studied. The common land degradation/desertification processes, in Egypt will be highlighted, however the current chapter, as a start of an articles series focusing on desertification, will only consider three important processes (i.e.

This chapter analyzes, generally, the problems of desertification and land degradation, highlighting the difference between the two terms and aspects to be assessed.

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