Application of Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques for Land Degradation Monitoring at Pilot Scale in the Syrian Coastal Areas

This paper describes the procedures employed to integrate the Geomatic techniques in an effort to characterize the spatial distribution of the risk of soil erosion by water at the reconnaissance scale (predictive approach) on Latakia and Tartous districts, Syria. Topographic maps at 1:50000 scale, and Landsat image taken in 2001, have been used for the executing of the project. The project activities consist of image interpretation, land surveys and field work, as well as office work. Furthermore, at detailed scale the descriptive erosion maps have been developed for two pilot areas investigating the dominant erosion process and evaluation trends, determination of final criteria and procedures for consideration of socio-economic parameters, determination of priority areas for investigated pilot areas, identification of remedial measures, and development of draft management plans and recommendations to combat land degradation