Mapping Land Vulnerability to Degradation using a Geographic Information System (GIS)
Keywords:
Land Degradation; Vulnerability Mapping; Geographic Information System (GIS); Spatial Analysis; Sustainable Land ManagementAbstract
Land degradation poses a significant threat to environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity, particularly in regions experiencing rapid land-use change and increasing anthropogenic pressure. Mapping land vulnerability to degradation is essential for supporting effective land management and spatial planning policies. This study aims to assess and map land vulnerability to degradation using a Geographic Information System (GIS) approach. The analysis integrates multiple biophysical and environmental factors, including slope, soil type, land use/land cover, rainfall intensity, and vegetation index. A weighted overlay method was applied, with factor weights determined using expert judgment and relevant literature to generate a land degradation vulnerability index. The results classify the study area into low, moderate, and high vulnerability zones. Areas with steep slopes, sparse vegetation cover, and intensive land use exhibit the highest vulnerability to degradation. The vulnerability map highlights spatial patterns that can support targeted land management interventions and conservation planning. This study demonstrates that GIS-based spatial analysis provides an effective and reliable framework for identifying land degradation risks and offers valuable insights for policymakers in promoting sustainable land management and mitigating land degradation impacts.
Downloads
References
FAO. (2021). State of the world’s land and water resources for food and agriculture: Systems at breaking point. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7654en
FAO, & UNEP. (2021). Global assessment of soil pollution. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
García-Ruiz, J. M., Beguería, S., Nadal-Romero, E., González-Hidalgo, J. C., Lana-Renault, N., & Sanjuán, Y. (2020). A meta-analysis of soil erosion rates across the world. Geomorphology, 239, 160–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.03.008
IPBES. (2022). Thematic assessment of land degradation and restoration. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Keesstra, S., Mol, G., de Leeuw, J., Okx, J., Molenaar, C., de Cleen, M., & Visser, S. (2021). Soil-related sustainable development goals: Four concepts to make land degradation neutrality and restoration work. Land Degradation & Development, 32(5), 1767–1781. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3902
Lal, R. (2020). Soil organic matter and water retention. Agronomy Journal, 112(5), 3265–3277. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20282
Montanarella, L., Scholes, R., & Brainich, A. (2021). The IPBES assessment report on land degradation and restoration. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429289281
Panagos, P., Ballabio, C., Poesen, J., Lugato, E., Scarpa, S., Montanarella, L., & Borrelli, P. (2020). A soil erosion indicator for supporting agricultural, environmental and climate policies in the European Union. Remote Sensing, 12(9), 1365. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12091365
Reynolds, J. F., Stafford Smith, D. M., Lambin, E. F., Turner, B. L., Mortimore, M., Batterbury, S. P. J., … Walker, B. (2020). Global desertification: Building a science for dryland development. Science, 316(5826), 847–851. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1131634
Tarigan, R. R. A. (2017). PENANAMAN TANAMAN SIRSAK DENGAN MEMANFAATKAN LAHAN PEKARANGAN RUMAH: Ruth Riah Ate Tarigan, Andhika P dan Fuad H. Jasa Padi, 2(02), 25-27.
UNCCD. (2022). Global land outlook (2nd ed.). United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Zhao, W., Fu, B., Chen, L., & Zhang, Q. (2021). Soil erosion and conservation in the Anthropocene: A global review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 278, 123393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123393
