Land degradation assessment in the dust hotspot of Southeastern Ahvaz, Iran

The present study was conducted to assess the land degradation (LD) in the largest source area for dust storms in Southeastern Ahvaz (SEA) using a Modified Mediterranean Desertification and Land-use (MMEDALUS) method (a modification of the MEDALUS method). The LD of the dust hotspot of SEA was evaluated using the soil quality index (SQI), climate quality index (CQI), vegetation quality index (VQI), and management quality index (MQI). The study indicators and final land degradation index (LDI) index were classified into four groups of low (100-120), moderate (121-135), severe (136-153), and very severe (more than 153). The results showed that the SQI, CQI, VQI, and land management quality index (MQI), respectively were 151 +/- 6, 167 +/- 5, 175 +/- 12, and 168 +/- 18 for the whole dust hotspot of SEA. The results revealed that the SQI and VQI had the minimum and maximum effect on LD assessment, respectively. The integration of study indices and indicators and their effectiveness for LD assessment showed that the study dust hotspot was rated at a mean of 165 +/- 7 in the very severe degraded class based on our MMEDALUS assessment. Whereas, only about 18% of the study area scored in the severe class, and other parts are classified in the very severe class. Based on the field surveys of the dust hotspot and the results of the MMEDALUS method, suitable strategies for revitalizing the dust hotspot of SEA, were proposed using homogeneous land-components such as the construction of windbreaks using indigenous species of the area, forestry, planting, water spreading, wetting, protection, and grazing management.

Automated summary

This study assessed land degradation in Southeastern Ahvaz, the largest source area for dust storms, using the MMEDALUS method. The soil quality index, climate quality index, vegetation quality index, and management quality index were used to evaluate the dust hotspot in SEA, with results showing severe and very severe degradation levels in the area.