Assessing Soil Degradation by GLASOD Method, Case of Orumieh Plain

Soil degradation means lose of soil quality which usually is caused by improper use of land by human. Decline of soil quality includes lose of physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. This study aimed to identify and assess the quality of soil and land, to determine the type of land degradation and estimates their severity based on completed forms gathered field data and mapping the corresponding in GIS environment. The results showed that the soils of Arab-lu and Ordushahi regions are saline and Jabal-Kandy is also a component of saline and alkaline. Most of surface area is affected by surface erosion. Physical degradation, salinization and erosion of soil nutrients and organic matter occupied the next grades. Salinization especially on the edge of the lake as well as in some parts of the Urmia plain is visible. Recommendations for improving the quality of traditional agricultural practices into modern methods can be effective in reducing soil erosion, land degradation and leaching of nutrients and organic matter of the soil. Type of needed operations for land reclamation is available based on the type, degree and extent of degradation from related maps and can be used by experts.