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Modelling wind-erosion risk in the Laghouat region (Algeria) using geomatics approach

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Abstract

Wind-erosion risk is a challenge that threatens land development in dry-land regions. Soil analysis, remote sensing, climatic, vegetal cover and topographic data were used in a geographic information system (GIS), using multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to map wind-erosion risk (Rwe) in Laghouat, Algeria. The approach was based on modelling the risk and incorporating topographic and climatic effects. The maps were coded according to their sensitivity to wind erosion and to their socio-economic potential, from low to very high. By overlap** the effects of these layers, qualitative maps were drawn to reflect the potential sensitivity to wind erosion per unit area. The results indicated that severe wind erosion affects mainly all the southern parts and some parts in the north of Laghouat, where wind-erosion hazard (Hwe) is very high in 43% of the total area, and which was affected mainly by natural parameters such as soil, topography and wind. The results also identified features vulnerable to Rwe. The product of the hazard and the stake maps indicated the potential risk areas that need preventive measures; this was more than half of the study area, making it essential to undertake environmental management and land-use planning.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr. David Nesbitt for the English revision and the Department of Soil, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Spain, for the laboratory analysis of this research. The authors also thank Editor-in-Chief Abdullah M. Al-Amri and Associate Editor Domenico Doronzo for their useful comments and suggestions that greatly contributed to improving the final version of the original manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Geomorphology and Geo-risks, Faculty of Earth Science, Geographical and Territorial Planning, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, (U.S.T.H.B), El Alia, BP 32, Bab Ezzouar, 16111, Algiers, Algeria

    Djouher Saadoud & Mohamed Saïd Guettouche

  2. Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Earth Science, Geographical and Territorial Planning, Laboratory of Geophysics, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (U.S.T.H.B), BP 32, El Alia, Bab Ezzouar, 16111, Algiers, Algeria

    Mohamed Hassani

  3. Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18001, Granada, Spain

    Francisco José Martin Peinado

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  1. Djouher Saadoud
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Correspondence to Djouher Saadoud.

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Saadoud, D., Guettouche, M.S., Hassani, M. et al. Modelling wind-erosion risk in the Laghouat region (Algeria) using geomatics approach. Arab J Geosci 10, 363 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3139-1

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