Land capability classification of some western desert Oases, Egypt, using remote sensing and GIS

Two desert Oases (i.e. Al-Kharga and Al-Dakhla), located in the western desert of Egypt, were selected as case studies. Soil, ETM+ satellite images, climatic and landscape database, were integrated through a GIS model. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was elaborated using SRTM space images, in addition to spot heights and contour lines, derived from topographic maps. The created land resource database was used to evaluate and map land capabilities on bases of FAO (1985) methodology.The obtained data indicate that the highly capable soils represent 24.5% of Al-Kharga Oases and 19.2% of Al-Dakhla Oases. These soils are associated with the Typic Haplotorrerts and Typic Torrifluvents sub-great groups. The moderately capable soils represent 1.5% of the total area of Al-Kharga Oases and 6.1% of Al-Dakhla Oases. They were found to be associated with sub-great group soil Typic Torriorthents. The low capable soils represent 36.0% of Al-Kharga Oases total area and 20.3% of Al-Dakhla Oases; this class is associated with the soils of Torripsamments great group. The rest of the Oases are considered as non-capable soils or rock land, representing 38.0% of Al-Kharga Oases total area and 54.5% of Al-Dakhla Oases.It could be concluded that the desert Oases are sustainable areas, which might have potential importance supporting the national development programs. Integrating remote sensing data with digital soil map, using GIS, led to the elaboration of successful land capability classification mapping.