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World’s Soil Resources

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Threat to soil<br />

function<br />

<strong>Soil</strong> erosion<br />

Salinization<br />

and sodification<br />

Organic<br />

carbon change<br />

Contamination<br />

Sealing<br />

Compaction<br />

Loss of soil<br />

biodiversity<br />

Summary<br />

Wind erosion and dust<br />

storms are a problem<br />

throughout the region.<br />

Sand stabilization in<br />

source areas is difficult and<br />

expensive to undertake.<br />

Water erosion can be<br />

controlled with adaptive<br />

management.<br />

Salinization is a widespread<br />

problem in the region due<br />

to the high temperatures,<br />

inappropriate irrigation<br />

practices and sea water<br />

intrusion in coastal<br />

areas. There is adequate<br />

research and technical<br />

knowledge in the region to<br />

counteract the problem.<br />

Socio-economic conditions<br />

hamper widespread<br />

implementation in some<br />

countries.<br />

High temperatures<br />

throughout most of the<br />

region result in a very<br />

high turnover of soil<br />

organic Carbon. SOC<br />

change is sensitive to soil<br />

management changes.<br />

Contamination is locally<br />

a significant problem in<br />

the region particularly<br />

in urbanized areas that<br />

produce waste dumped on<br />

the land<br />

and in oil producing areas.<br />

Substantial expansion of<br />

housing, quarrying and<br />

infrastructures is a<br />

concern. There are no<br />

reliable data on sealing and<br />

land take.<br />

Compaction is a problem<br />

where heavy clay soils are<br />

intensively tilled<br />

(e.g. rainfed and irrigated<br />

Vertisols) and to a lesser<br />

extent is caused<br />

by off-road vehicles.<br />

The extent of loss of soil<br />

biodiversity due to human<br />

impact is largely unknown<br />

in the NENA region.<br />

More studies need to be<br />

undertaken to understand<br />

the scope of the problem.<br />

Condition and Trend<br />

Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good<br />

Confidence<br />

In<br />

In trend<br />

condition<br />

Status of the <strong>World’s</strong> <strong>Soil</strong> <strong>Resources</strong> | Main Report Regional Assessment of <strong>Soil</strong> Changes<br />

431<br />

in the Near East and North Africa

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