Determination of Iran Desert Lands Based on Soil Attributes

Abstract

Deserts have been described in different aspects of the natural environment. In this article, we try to determine desert territory using soil properties. Those selected soil properties which identify desert soil criterion were: soil salinity (EC), soil reaction (pH), gypsum, calcareous, SAR, organic matter, soil texture and clay pan. The soil properties were used as limiting factor for plant growth. Using available soil information, digital maps in GIS for every province were prepared. After their overlying, we prepared a map for Iran desert areas. The results showed that 544320 km2 of Iran known as a desert which formed under soil properties conditions. In these areas the soil EC is more than 8 dS/m, pH more than 8.5, SAR greater than 12; genetic and biological soil horizons have no significant distinction. The saline soil puffy, desert pavement, clay pan and active and non active sand dunes are also visible in the desert. Also the results showed that greater Khorasan and Markazi provinces have the highest and lowest soil-desert areas of 137665 and 1932 km2, respectively.

Keywords

• desert
• soil
• criteria
• gis
• iran