Land degradation deteriorates environmental systems and has direct and
negative effects on crops yield, pastures and forests. Land degradation is an old
phenomenon but in the last years it accelerated and spread widely to reach
some interne areas
in Syria like the studied area (Blay) which situated on the
road of Damascus-Sowyda. In this paper morphological, physio-chemical,
hydraulic and fertility study was done to clarify and define the reasons of this
degradation in this specified area. Three land sections were done and
morphologically described on site, soil samples were taken for analyses in the
laboratory. Results showed that, the degradation may be related to different
reasons like high apparent density which indicates the soil compacting, the low
cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the low hydraulic conductivity with a low
percentage of available water. Results also showed that the adding different
percentage of soil conditioners, like hay, compost, polymer and manure
ameliorates in different ratios the physical and hydraulic properties of soil.
The Syrian steppe occupies an area of about ١٠ millions hectares
representing ٥٥٪ of the country. Due to the relatively high rainfall averages the
steppe is known as one of the best grazing areas in the Arab World. This
picture however has been ch
anged in the recent decades due to the expansion of
rainfed barley cultivation and consequent destruction of the natural shrubby
cover by tillage.
Other reasons leading to land degradation is the steppe overgrazing and
shrub cutting for fuel . High soil erodibility is caused by the week structure and
light texture of the soils of the steppe. As a result wind erosion became a
prevailing process in the steppe. This phenomenon was remarkably accelerated
during the last decade.
Dust, dust storm, sand accumulation on roads, railroads, villages houses,
formation of sand sheets with different thickness and sand hummocks around
shrubs were the main environmental features consequences.
