Desertification Risk Mapping based on Water Resources Degradation using Multi Criteria Decision Making (Case Study: Kashan Plain)

In this study, to study the status of water resources degradation in Kashan region, Isfahan Province, eight indices including: drop in groundwater, water salinity, irrigation efficiency, Well-to-Qanat development ratio, the pumping time, shortage of water supplies for animals and humans and the water negative balance were selected according to previous studies conducted on desertification in Iran and the world. Existing evaluation models were determined. Desertification map of the study area was provided according to MEDALUS model and selected indices. The selected indices were weighted using a multi-criteria decision method and each index having weight more than 0.5 were selected as the most effective indices of desertification. Again, the desertification status map of the study area was prepared by the most effective indices. Finally, the two desertification maps were compared. The results showed that the drop in groundwater, water salinity, the pumping time and water negative balance have the most effect on water resources degradation among selected indices. The results of comparing two groundwater degradation maps showed that based on map provided with eight indices, 87.78 and 8.30 percent of the total area are classified in critical conditions c and b, respectively. While the map provided by the most effective indicators shows that 99.15% of the total area is classified in the critical condition "c" and just 0.849% is classified in the critical condition "b". It can be concluded that to assess desertification status, it is better to first determine the indicators by weighting and prioritizing methods. This will identify the indicators that have not had a significant effect on the desertification phenomenon in the area and prevent their impact on desertification classes and reduction of scores.