Assessment and mapping of desertification total risk using FAO-UNEP method (Case study: Qomroud watershed)

Desertification is defined as the reduction of biomass potential and degradation of environmental resources and ecosystems which affects regional and cross-regional levels of human life.Assessment and mapping of desertification in Daryache Namak watershed with a 1614176 hectares area were considered as the aim of the current research. Desertification aspects were determined from vegetation degradation, water and wind erosion, quantitative and qualitative loss of water resources and soil salinization using FAO-UNEP method.Desertification was classified by overlaying and averaging of current status and natural capacity and all maps were made in GIS. According to the results, vegetation degradation (23.25%) and water resources degradation (59.63%) included the most area in current status and natural capacity of the study area respectively. Desertification total risk was also classified and mapped considering current status, natural capacity and human impacts and results indicated that 23.51, 76.47 and 0.02 percent of this watershed located in moderate, severe and very severe desertification classes respectively.