Assessment of sand encroachment in Kuwait using GIS |
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| Authors: | Anwar B Al-helal Jasem M Al-awadhi |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, 5969, 13060 Safat, Kuwait |
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| Abstract: | Assessment of sand encroachment in Kuwait using Geographical Information System (GIS) technology has been formulated as a
Multi-Criteria Decision Making problem. The Delphi method and Analytical Hierarchy Process were adopted as evaluating techniques,
in which experts’ judgments were analyzed for objectively estimating and weighting control factors. Seven triggering factors,
depicted in the form of maps, were identified and ordered according to their priority. These factors are (1) wind energy;
(2) surface sediment; (3) vegetation density; (4) land use; (5) drainage density; (6) topographic change and (7) vegetation
type. The factor maps were digitized, converted to raster data and overlaid to determine their possible spatial relationships.
Applying a susceptibility model, a map of sand encroachment susceptibility in Kuwait was developed. The map showed that the
areas of very high and high sand encroachment susceptibility are located within the main corridor of sand pathway that coincides
with the northwesterly dominant wind direction. |
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| Keywords: | Delphi AHP Susceptibility model GIS Landuse planning Geography Arid climate Wind Kuwait |
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