Assessment and Providing Map of the Desertification Risk in Abu-Ghoveyr Plain, Dehloran, Ilam Province

Desertification is a global phenomenon which can occur in any place and cause significant damages. Therefore, classification and generation of desertification intensity and risk map is a reasonable basis for planning.  The present study aims to evaluate desertification risk in the Abu Ghoveyr Plain in Ilam province, using general risk equation. To this end, first, desertification hazard map was prepared using the Iranian 9-criteria model of IMDPA. For preparing this map, working units map (geomorphologic facies) was created using slope, geology, and land use maps. Using this method, working units were considered as the main unit of desertification then a map was generated for each index according to assigned weights, such that the qualitative map of the desired factors were obtained using the geometric mean of indicators. Then, through integration and determining the geometric mean of layers obtained from indices and finally classification of the obtained maps, map of the current status of desertification in the studied area was generated. Then, elements at hazard in each working units were identified and were transformed to a map. Considering the hazard class of elements, degree of vulnerability of elements was determined. Finally, desertification risk was prepared in 4 classes by combining the risk intensity map, frequency, and the degree of vulnerability of elements. The results suggested that 49.73% of the area was in the high and very high damage classes.