Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies - Department of National Research

Sand dune movement and its consequences are one of the major environmental problems faced by populations of arid and semi-arid areas. This study has investigated the observed changes in sand dune coverage compared to predictions, and has also assessed the impact of its movement on human activity in Siwa Oasis in Egypt and Murzuq area in Libya. The present study used multi data remotely sensing data to detect the movement of sand dunes in both areas, in addition to meterological data for Egypt and Libya to draw rose diagram and notice the dominant wind direction and its effect on the areas. All data were verified by field investigation at the study site in Egypt. The aim of the current work was to map out sand movement and detail the impact of such movement on adjacent areas, through the analysis of multi-temporal space data. The study involved both the analysis of multi-date satellite images (Landsat 7 ETM+ 2006, Sentinel-2 2016 and 2020), and the conduction of field investigations. Data analysis indicated considerable changes to the land cover of the study area over time. There were clearly observable changes to the distribution of sand dunes, as well as three-quarters decline in cultivated land in the nearby oasis as a result to sand movement. Nearby solar panels, installed as part of a development project, were completely covered by sand dunes within four years of being set up. Protected areas around the oasis were also greatly affected by the motion of sand dunes. The sand dunes in the both areas had a greater predicted rate of sand transport which was related to its origin. The current study concluded a primary determination of sand dunes movement over the study periods and the loss of cultivated lands due to dune creeping

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