Home /USING A GIS FOR SUSTAINABLE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF AN IRRIGATION AREA IN THE SPANISH - PORTUGUESE BORDER THREATENED BY DESERTIFICATION

USING A GIS FOR SUSTAINABLE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF AN IRRIGATION AREA IN THE SPANISH - PORTUGUESE BORDER THREATENED BY DESERTIFICATION

TitleUSING A GIS FOR SUSTAINABLE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF AN IRRIGATION AREA IN THE SPANISH - PORTUGUESE BORDER THREATENED BY DESERTIFICATION
Publication TypeCase
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsMuñoz, A.
Secondary AuthorsKepner, W. G., Rubio J. L., Mouat D. A., & Pedrazzini F.
ReporterDesertification in the Mediterranean Region a Security Issue
First Page451-473
KeywordsCaia Irrigation Perimeter, desertification, management (voyant), organic matter, soil properties
Abstract

Inappropriate management of agricultural irrigated land, using excessive amounts of production factors – pesticides and fertilizers in particular – can lead to rapid and irreversible soil degradation and the corresponding decrease in production capacity. The method presented here, applicable to the entire Mediterranean region, was designed to support the sustainable management of a 12540 ha irrigated area located in the Spanish- Portuguese border, with special emphasis on the prevention of desertification. This specific tool, incorporates a data collection from 1428 georeferenced points and respective topsoil samples, describing soil type, depth, slope, drainage, pH, organic matter content, electrical conductivity, exchangeable sodium content, and available phosphorus and potassium. Parameterized maps were prepared for all these soil properties using Geographic Information System (GIS) software to store, manage, analyze, and display the georeferenced information. Predictive maps for organic amendments need were elaborated for use in the sustainable and integrated land management of the area. The higher risk zones were identified on the basis of their soil depth, slope, drainage, organic matter, electrical conductivity, and sodium saturation percentage.