Land Suitability and Characterization Study of Soils, Natural Vegetation Cover in Wahat Elnukhila area, Northern Darfur State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Wahat Elnukhila area, about 600 km northeast of El-fashier town, northern Darfur State, to produce broad–base data on the geographical distribution of soils, characterization of soils using some soil indicators (ECe, pH and SAR), explore the natural land cover and evaluate the soil suitability for agricultural activities in the study area. The study area covers (20000 feddans). This research was based on the data and information extracted from the soil survey, remote sensed landsat, Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) images dated 2018, in addition to field observation aided by GPS receivers and geographic information system were used to generate soil map in the study area. By using the American soil classification system (FAO, 1990 and 2006) study area may be classified into three units, the total area of the three units and natural vegetation cover decreased in the following order: unit1 (12734 feddans) > unit 2 (3994 feddans) > unit 3 (3272 feddans), green covers as a result of the availability of quantities of ground and surface water, which distinguishes it from the rest of the surrounding desert lands. The predominant vegetation cover is Imperata cylindrica (halfa), Tamarix (Tarfa), phragmites (communist)“ Alboes”, Citrullus Colocynthis (Hanzal), Ischaemum muticum and p. dactylifera (date palm). Regarding soil texture, drainage, soil depth, and fertility status for units 1, unit 2, and unit 3, can be described as follows: sandy to loamy sand, well-drained, shallow and low fertile, coarse texture to moderate, moderately drained, shallow to moderate and low fertile, gravelly surface, moderatly drained, shallow to moderate and very low fertile respectively. Soil analysis reveled that there was high inherent risk of soil salinity and sodicity, especially unit 1. In general, the result showed that there were clear aspects of wind erosion represented as large areas affected by the sand encroachment form of crescent dunes and rocks interspersed with hills and plateaus. Furthermore, soils of the targeted area were formed from the accumulation of creeping and portable aeolian sands. The research site lies in the southeastern part of the border triangle between Sudan, Egypt, Libya and Chad, which is severely affected by wind erosion because the site was bare, open with no wind barriers or shelter belts, also this area falls under the sand moving winds of the Sahara. These are the northerly winds that prevail in Northern Darfur State. Furthermore, the prevalent climatic conditions including high temperature, rainless area and relatively high wind speed are conducive to high wind erosion. The area in danger unless serious measures carried out to reduce wind erosion. The area has very low potential suitability for agriculture. The study area was rich in wild life such as deer, rabbits, birds, many insects and snakes.