Monitoring and Assessment of the Environmental and Socio-economic Impacts of Desertification in Elrief Elshemaly of Karari Locality

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect the level of desertification and to monitor and assess the environmental and socio-economical impacts in ElRief Elshemaly of Karari locality in Khartoum state, affected by the desertification. The study covered different periods (1987, 2000 and 2009). The primary and secondary data was collected through integrated field survey method (remote sensing, GIS, field measurements, questionnaire and observation). As a result of the homogenization of society a random sample of (hundred farmers) was taken from six different villages to conduct the survey. And the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. The secondary data was obtained from various documentary sources. The results of this study revealed that: The area experienced a moderate desertification in 2000 and severe to very severe desertification in 2009 - All the farmers were affected by desertification for more than 20 years. - The main causes of desertification were related to trees cutting. - More visible manifestations of desertification were sand encroachment and dust storms. The severity of desertification led to: - The crop productivity was lowered. - The crop areas were decreased. - The crop combination was changed. - The cultivated areas were decreased. - The crops were affected by dust storm. - The animal numbers were decreased. - The animal productivity was decreased. - The trees and shrubs number and types reduced. vi -The species and numbers of trees and shrubs were reduced. - The pasture area was reduced. - The pasture variety was reduced. - The pasture density was reduced. - The human life was affected, (deserted villages due to sand dunes, surrounded houses and dust storms threatening) - There were no methods to combat desertification, Chi-square test revealed that: - There is a relationship between the level of desertification and the income at level of significance (0.035). - There is strong relationship between level of desertification and an annual productivity, at high level of significance (0.0026). - There is very strong relationship between annual income and years of experience in agriculture, at high level of significance (0.0009). - There is a very strong relationship between annual income and education level, at high level of significance (0.00012). The study recommends the following to the Ministry of Agriculture of Khartoum State: Combating desertification in the State: Combating desertification in pastoral areas: o Natural regeneration of vegetation through o industrial sowing and transplanting o awareness and participation of people Developing and maintaining grasslands through o preventing of farming the pastoral lands o development of plant types and variety o expanding the system of setting up the nature reservoir. Combating forest degradation through: vii o Protection of natural forests through the stability of forest and cutting of trees and forest fires o Currying out reforestation in degraded areas Sand-dune fixation o Bio-installation of planting trees and shrubs o Awareness and participation of people o Implementation of the economic and social studies o Awareness and guidance through implementation of guiding days and organizing seminars, training and media campaigns using different types of media. o Improving the living standards of the population. Undertake studies to measure the level of desertification. This should include a combination of fieldwork and remote sensing.