Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Institute of African Research and Studies - Department of Natural Resources

Desertification is a phenomenon affecting very large areas where the land has lost productive capacity due to both human activities and natural causes. The aim of this study is the identification of areas sensitive to desertification in two selected areas in the south Mediterranean basin which are located in both Egypt and Libya. The first area is located around Sidi Barrani areas in the north-western coast of Egypt to the west of Mersa Matroh City, which lies between latitudes 31{u00BA} 15' to 31{u00BA} 44' N and longitudes 25{u00BA} 18' to 26{u00BA} 20' E, with an area about 2853 km2. The second area is located in the north eastern coast of Libya around Darna in the north of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar area which extends between latitudes 32{u00BA} 36' to 32{u00BA} 59' N and longitudes 21{u00BA} 47' to 22{u00BA} 42' E, with an area about 2702 km², The obtained results show the distribution of environmentally sensitive areas (ESA{u2019}s) in the studied area at the northwestern coast of Egypt. It is clearly seen that the high sensitive areas (very severe) for desertification, where the soil quality, climatic quality and vegetation quality are low; these areas represent 26.35% (751.71 km²) and 11.62% (314.11 km²) of the total area for both Sidi Barrani and Darnah, respectively. The sensitive (severe) areas are found where the vegetation cover is rather low; which represent 37.03% (1056.70 km2) and 40.49% (1094.17 km²) of the total area of Sidi Barrani and Darnah, respectively. The areas of moderate severe to desertification represent about 1.61% (43.16 km²) and 30.23% (816.80 km²) of the total area of Sidi Barrani and Darnah, respectively. The low severe areas represent 35.11% (1001.63 km²) and 17.65 % (476.94 km2) of the total area of Sidi Barrani and Darnah, respectively. The low sensitivity areas are due to the good vegetation cover and soil quality

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