Assessing the degradation of vegetation of arid zones using FAO–UNIP model (case study: Kashan zone)

Abstract

The process of desertification has a high intensity in developing countries as well as countries possessing high potential of desertification Therefore, particularly for those countries, it is necessary to combat against this phenomenon of desertification. Desertification is the diminution of ecological and biological potential of land occurring naturally or due to human activities. Identifying the factors leading to desertification and assessing their processing is critically important for ecosystem management of wild and arid zones. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the degradation of vegetation in Kashan (1984) located in the East of the catchment of Namak Lake, using FAO–UNEP model. For this purpose, the degradation of vegetation was evaluated in terms of the status quo by measuring the percentage of the permanent vegetation, the quality of range and forage production yield as well as natural talent using the maps of thermal and moisture regimes of the soil and the map of lana capability. The results show that about 74% of the study area is grouped at very severe degradation class in terms of the status quo and about 84% of the area is categorized at severe and very severe degradation class in terms of natural talent. Overall results indicate the appropriateness of FAO–UNIP model for evaluating the degradation of vegetation in terms of status quo and natural talent, according to the extant realities of the arid zone.