Land Suitability for Crop Options Evaluation in Areas Affected by Desertification: The Case Study of Feriana in Tunisia
Chapter
Publication Date:
2010
Short description:
Land Suitability for Crop Options Evaluation
in Areas Affected by Desertification: The Case
Study of Feriana in Tunisia / Madrau, Salvatore; Zucca, Claudio; Urgeghe, A. M.; Julitta, F.; Previtali, F.. - (2010), pp. 179-193.
abstract:
The study was carried out in the Tunisian site of a Cooperation Project,
aiming to implement techniques for combating desertification. The approach of
the project is based on promoting drought-resistant fodder shrubs as an alternative
crop, in areas where the expansion of traditional cereal and olive trees in not suited
rangelands constitute a land degradation factor. A land evaluation procedure was
implemented based on a Map of Pedo-morphologic Units purposely created and on
GIS based suitability models specifically adapted to the local conditions. The suitability
maps obtained showed that about 18% of present rainfed cereal crops and
12% of olive plantations are located in not suited areas. The results also highlight
the areas where further crop development could be more or less advisable and fodder
shrubs could be introduced as an alternative and sustainable income generating
option.
aiming to implement techniques for combating desertification. The approach of
the project is based on promoting drought-resistant fodder shrubs as an alternative
crop, in areas where the expansion of traditional cereal and olive trees in not suited
rangelands constitute a land degradation factor. A land evaluation procedure was
implemented based on a Map of Pedo-morphologic Units purposely created and on
GIS based suitability models specifically adapted to the local conditions. The suitability
maps obtained showed that about 18% of present rainfed cereal crops and
12% of olive plantations are located in not suited areas. The results also highlight
the areas where further crop development could be more or less advisable and fodder
shrubs could be introduced as an alternative and sustainable income generating
option.
Iris type:
2.1 Contributo in volume (Capitolo o Saggio)
Keywords:
Crop suitability · Land evaluation · Drought-resistant shrubs · Soil survey · GIS · Tunisia
List of contributors:
Madrau, Salvatore; Zucca, Claudio; Urgeghe, A. M.; Julitta, F.; Previtali, F.
Book title:
Land degradation and desertification: Assesment, mitigation and remediaton.