An Overview of Lakes and Depressions’ Environments in the Egyptian Deserts

Abstract

Lakes and depressions are among the most significant features of Egypt’s desert. It’s unusual to see a similar region where such big lakes and depressions exist. These depressions are spread on the surface of the plateau in the far north near the sea, and the far south and west of the border. The degrading situation of these lakes was observed, however, and studies were initiated to hit su for getting sustainability. Its environmental damage is serious. Water scarcity problem is a part of climate change, which is a growing problem with Egypt. As temperature increases and rainfall decreases, lakes of critical value are drying. This chapter centred on the status of Egypt’s desert lakes and depressions in terms of land resources. The obstacles that these lakes face in their sustainable growth have also been established. Egypt’s desert is divided to three zones related to lakes and depressions. The Western Desert has a string of depressions and lakes. Among the well-known, inhabited depressions are those of Siwa, Qattara, E1-Natrun, and Toshka. Most forms of land degradation of Wadi El-Natrun area are based on human resource (mismanagement and misuse); some physical and chemical environmental factors are still considered. Dominant active land degradation features are; waterlogging, salinity, alkalinity, and compaction. However, Wadi El-Rayyan receives agricultural drainage water more than what is Lake Qarun absorbed. Lakes of the inland of Sinai and the Eastern Desert include Bitter Lakes and El-Temsah Lake. Pan layers are among the most common land-use biggest drawbacks in the Suez Canal zone. It is important to note that much of the farmland deterioration in the Suez Canal area is the result of the emergence of pan layers. Because of their induration and hardness, they could limit the chances for agricultural practices, root growth, and penetration. The most popular pans at different sites are claypans, gypsum pans and caliche in the Suez Canal region. Different types of pans were distinguished namely; indurated or cemented pans, claypans, and fragipans.