Agro-ecological field vulnerability evaluation and climate change impacts in Souma area (Iran), using MicroLEIS DSS

Abstract

Soil erosion and contamination are two main desertification indices or land degradation agents in agricultural areas. Global climate change consequence is a priority to predict global environmental change impacts on these degradation risks. This agro-ecological approach can be especially useful when formulating soil specific agricultural practices based on the spatial variability of soils and related resources to reverse environmental degradation. Raizal and Pantanal models within the new MicroLEIS framework, the Ero&Con package, are database/expert system evaluation approach for assessing limitations to land use, or vulnerability of the land to specified agricultural degradation risks. This study was performed in Souma area with approximately 4100 ha extension in the North-West of Iran (west Azarbaijan). Based on 35 sampling soils, Typic Xerofluvents, Typic Calcixerepts, Fluventic Haploxerepts and Fluventic Endaquepts were classified as main subgroups. Climatological data, referred to temperature and precipitation of more than 36 consecutive years were collected from Urmieh station reports and stored in monthly Climate Database CDBm, as a major component of MicroLEIS DSS (CDBm) program. Climate data for a hypothetical future scenario were collected from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports for the 2080s period. The evaluation approach predicts that attainable water erosion vulnerability classes were none (V1) very low (V2) and moderately low (V4) in the total of 72%, 13% and 15% of the Souma area, respectively and they will not affected by climate change. On contrary, attainable wind erosion vulnerability classes will increase. Also, phosphorous and heavy metal contamination vulnerability risks will not differ in two compared scenarios while nitrogen and pesticides vulnerability classes will be improved.

A hybrid approach of rough-fuzzy inference system for land degradation susceptibility mapping (case study: Khanmirza agricultural plain-Iran)

“…Land degradation is an interactive process involving multiple causal factors, among which climate variability, soil quality, and land management play a significant role (Bajocco et al 2012;Rasmy et al 2010;Shahbazi et al 2009). It reduces soil fertility and is generally associated with geophysical conditions (e.g.…”

Suitability evaluation of some specific crops in Souma area (Iran), using Cervatana and Almagra models

“…The soil morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of representative soil families, which will use as data input in the Almagra model, are summarized in Table 1. Climate characteristics of the study area can be found in Shahbazi et al (2009). The field work was carried out with a general reconnaissance survey through the whole study area to be familiar with the different aspects available of the area, i.e.…”

“…Wheat-alfalfasoybean was selected as the best crop rotation. Also, land capability evaluation and climate change impacts in semi-arid and Mediterranean areas using MicroLEIS DSS was assessed (Shahbazi et al 2008b) and results showed that maize has 70% and 35% of yield reduction respectively in Ahar and Seville area, and this coefficient will increase 20% by climate change. Yehia (2007) used the MicroLEIS software to evaluate the soil of Bangar el-Sokkar area (Egypt) and found the dominant capability subclasses of S2l, S2tl, and S3l with soil properties and topographic conditions as main limiting factors.…”

Software Para Identificar Las Tendencias De Cambio Climático a Nivel Local: Un Estudio De Caso en Yucatán, México

“…An enormous technological and research effort is being carried out worldwide to predict the impact and future trends of global climate change (Gay & Estrada, 2010;Shahbazi et al, 2009;Walker & Schulze, 2008;Wigley, 2008). This knowledge is crucial for the adoption of both preventive and mitigating measures and of adaptive strategies in urban and rural environments.…”

“…En todo el mundo se está llevando a cabo un enorme esfuerzo tecnológico y de investigación para predecir el impacto y las tendencias futuras del cambio climático global (Gay & Estrada, 2010;Shahbazi et al, 2009;Walker & Schulze, 2008;Wigley, 2008). Este conocimiento es importante para la adopción de medidas preventivas y de mitigación, así como de estrategias de adaptación en ambientes urbanos y rurales.…”