Evaluation of Desertification based on climate and water criteria (Case study: Kashan plain)

Desertification is a major problem in many countries. International efforts have been considered to combat and prevent this phenomenon. The most important cases of these measures are the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. In this study, IMDPA model and GIS were used to assess desertification phenomena in Kashan Plain. Some indices of Climate and water criteria were selected to consider for each condition of the region. Final desertification intensity was calculated based on geometric average of the selected criteria and their indices. The numerical value was classified in 5 classes including non-significant, low, medium, severe and very severe and desertification intensity map was drawn using GIS in the studied period. According to the results, among the studied indices, the groundwater level depletion, EC and Transu aridity index with 3/82, 3/04 and 3/01 numerical values are the most effective factors. The threshold of ground water level, EC and Transu aridity index were determined respectively: more than50 cm/year, 2250-5000((μmohs)⁄(cm)) and 0/05-0/2. Also, the case study has classified in medium class of desertification with DS=2/4. Regarding the determined thresholds were specified the sensitive areas, and the required equipment are proposed to install on these areas for observing the thresholds.