干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Eolian landforms cover about 50% of Kuwait's total area (about 17,800 km(2)). These landforms are differentiated into isolated dune fields, NW-SE dune chains and sand sheets. The dunes are of the active barchan type. Anchored(impeded) dunes are scattered in several areas; they include falling dunes, nabkhas and vegetated sand ridges. Interpretation of aerial-photographs of 1972 and 1992 followed by field investigations indicated remarkable changes in the extension and characteristics of eolian landforms. Sand dunes accumulated in new areas, e.g. Ras Al-Sabiyah (northeastern area) and south Abdaliyah (southeastern area). The 1972 dune fields are expanding downwind, where new dunes have developed. Changes in eolian landscapes are attributed to several physical and human factors. It is expected that the military operations during the Iraq-Iran War (1980-1988) and those of the Gulf War (1990-1991) contributed to eolian processes in Kuwait. In addition, irrational exploitation of vegetation and land misuse accelerated wind erosion. In the present study, two case studies were selected. Micro changes in local landscapes, including eolian landfeatures, were identified. Identification of these changes was based on comparison of the aerial photographs of 1972 and 1992. Ground truth of representative sites was conducted. Based on the results of this study, desert management programs are proposed and areas of potential development are identified.