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In the deserts of Kuwait in general and in Al-Salmi area in particular, soil compaction and sealing are the most significant mechanisms of land degradation. In the present study, soil compaction and sealing in the Al-Salmi area are assessed. The study is based on analysis of satellite images and aerial photographs, besides field measurements and laboratory investigations. Based on this study, a recent map is prepared for the concerned area. It shows three different soil classes. These are highly compacted (8.8 per cent), slightly compacted(1.7 per cent), and almost non-compacted or natural (89.5 per cent). Soil compaction in Al-Salmi area causes adverse changes in soil physical properties, e.g. infiltration rate, bulk density and soil strength. The infiltration capacity of the compacted soils has decreased by 18.46 to 91.96 per cent in comparison with non-compacted soils. The bulk density for the compacted soil varies between 1.6 and 1.7 g cm(-3), whereas it varies between 1.2 and 1.35 g cm(-3) in the non-compacted soils, that is an increased of 29.97 per cent. In some sites, the physical properties show small or no difference between compacted and natural soils due to the effect of soil sealing (crustation). Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.