干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Resource mismanagement in most arid parts of the world is alarming. In these areas, harsh climatic conditions such as very high temperature, low rainfall, and strong wind are common. Additionally, they are characterized by the presence of salt-affected soils and lack of fresh water. The present study aims at characterizing and classifying the soils that occur in the and conditions of Abu Dhabi Emirate and to identify its relation with the and and semiarid conditions. The United States Department of Agriculture system of soil classification (USDA Soil Taxonomy) and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (FAO Classification System) were used for comparison between soil classifications using both systems. Landsat-7 ETM image (Enhanced Thematic Mapper) acquired in 2002 and Geographic Information Systems has been used for the compilation and production of maps. The main physical and chemical characteristics of each map unit were determined and stored in the geographical database. The results reveal that the uniform-looking landscape of Abu Dhabi coastline presents a diversity of subsurface features and horizons that enable categorization of soils into different soil types. A soil map at a scale of 1:50,000 has been produced, the map units are mostly consociations with some associations and very few complexes. The present study highlights factors and processes responsible for soil formation. The study shows a very high similarity between the soils that occur in the and conditions of Abu Dhabi and soils that occur under the same conditions of the world. USDA Soil Taxonomy proved to be well suited and more appropriate for classifying soils of and conditions.