Libya: Reversal of Land Degradation and Desertification Through Better Land Management - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 84

The remote sensing technology with its multi-temporal, multi-spectral, synoptic
and repetitive coverage can provide valuable information on intensification of de-
sertification, real magnitude of desertification and its changes over time. Therefore
monitoring indicators of desertificationprocessesbymeansofRS/GIStoolsisan
effective method to understand the temporal and spatial characteristics of desertifi-
cation process in a more integrated manner. In view of the above, we have recently
initiated studies to provide useful information on the prevailing desertification
situation in Libya. In particular, the areas having an exceptionally high magnitude
of desertification will be delineated with the help of RS/GIS and the occurrences
over space and time will be monitored for better environmental management and
sustainable development. It is argued that for better management of desertified land,
geospatial tools should be used to track land cover changes to create and update
maps so we can manage land utilization effectively and sustainably.
References and Further Reading
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in the Arab Region: analysis of current status and trends. J Arid Environ 51:521-545
Abu Luqmah MA (1995) Aljamahirya: a study in geography, 1st edn. Aljamahirya Home for
Publication and Distribution, Sirt, p17
ACSAD (2004) State of desertification in the Arab world. The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid
Zones and Dry Lands, Damascus
Al-Balooshi ASS (2003) Desertification in Al-Batinah plain in Sultanate of Oman. Unpublished
doctoral dissertation, University of Jordan, Amman
Arab League, Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (2003) A study on indicators for
monitoring desertification in the Arab World, Khartoum
Ben-Mahmoud R, Mansur S, AL-Gomati A (2000) Land degradation and desertification in Libya.
Land Degradation and Desertification Research Unit, Libyan Center for Remote Sensing and
Space Science, Tripoli
Ben-Mahmoud R, Mansur S, AL-Gomati A (2003) Land degradation and desertification in Libya.
In: Alsharhan AS, Wood WW, Goudie AS, Fowler A, Abdellatif EM (eds) Third millennium.
Swets and Zeitlinger Publishers, Lisse, pp 339-350
Bin Khayal AS (1995) Agriculture and livestock chapter, Al-Jamahirya: a study in geography, 1st
edn. Aljamahirya Home for Publication and Distribution, Sirt
Cornell University (2009) Nitrogen loss threatens desert plant life, study shows. ScienceDaily.
Retrieved 13 April 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145308.
htm
El Hassan IM (2004) Desertification monitoring using remote sensing technology. In: Proceedings
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El-Tantawi AMM (2005) Climate change in Libya and desertification of Jifara Plain: using
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Gutenberg University, Mainz
Emgaili E (1993) Climate changes and its impact on human and the environment, 1st issue, the
University Magazine
Emgaili E (1995) Climate changes, Al-Jamahirya: a study in geography, 1st edn. Aljamahirya
Home for Publication and Distribution, Sirt
Emgaili E (2003) Risks of drought and desertification and phenomena associated with both of
them, 1st edn. Candles Culture for Print, Publishing and Distribution, Zawia