The assessment hazard desertification using desertification indicator system for Mediterranean Europe (DIS4ME) (Case study: Atrak watershed in Golestan province)

Desertification is a phenomenon that has been impacted by the natural, social and financial factors and vice versa. The first step in desertification and desertification combat plan should be based on the identification and studying phenomena which are responsible for the changes in areas and induce desertification. Also, the intensification of desert conditions is considered as a trend which leads to biological reduction of ecosystems and desertification of environmental condition.
In this research, by using GIS 8 indices are selected and evaluated in Atrak Watershed of Golestan province: soil, vegetation, climate, management, Runoff, Land use and composite Indicators. The model of DIS4ME is applied in this research. Each of factors is estimated one by one and for each of them, data was collected.
The result showed that 5.5% of study area was found to be in critica (c1), 25% in critica (c2) and about 69% in critica (c3) class of desertification. Also soil, vegetation cover and climate criteria with a geometric average of 1.67, 1.62 and 1.58 show high class desertification.
According to the results of desertification in the region is intense. Measures of soil and vegetation have the greatest impact on desertification. The impact of climate measures with regard to changes in recent decades, such as reduced rainfall and persistent drought is remarkable.