Assessing Environmental Sensitivity Areas (ESA) Using Medalus Model in Telkaif District of Northern Iraq

This study conducted in Tel Kaif district in the northern part of Nineveh Governorate, located between longitudes (˝42′33°41– ˝20′19°43) east and latitudes (˝20′23°36-˝14′54°36) north to assess its environmental sensitivity to desertification (ESA). Fifteen representative sites selected based on the agricultural uses, vegetation cover, and topography. The geographical coordinates of the study sites were determined using a GPS device, and climatic and descriptive data for the study area taken, and soil samples taken for the required laboratory analyses. The obtained data converted into weighted evidence from special tables, so that four indices were calculated, namely the Soil Quality Index (SQI), Vegetation cover Quality Index (VQI), Climate Quality Index (CQI) and Management Quality Index (MQI) required according to the requirements of achieving the Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use (MEDALUS) model. Finally, the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Index (ESAI) equation applied to classify the study area and evaluate its environmental sensitivity to desertification, and then the Kriging technique was used within GIS programs to employ the results of the study by classifying the lands and representing them cartographically. The results showed that most of the study sites have a high environmental sensitivity to desertification (ESA) of the Critical type and below the C3 type, site 15 was Critical - C2, while sites (7 and 9) were Fragile - F2, and Site 6 was Fragile - F3. Therefore, the study area is located within the areas threatened by desertification, according to the assessment of the Environmental Sensitivity to Desertification Index, which is based on the MEDALUS model.