Modeling and Assessment of Land Degradation Vulnerability in Arid Ecosystem of Rajasthan Using Analytical Hierarchy Process and Geospatial Techniques

Wind erosion is a major natural disaster worldwide, and it is a key problem in western Rajasthan in India. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), the Geographic Information System (GIS), and remote sensing satellite images are effective tools for modeling and risk assessment of land degradation. The present study aimed to assess and model the land degradation vulnerable (LDV) zones based on the AHP and geospatial techniques in the Luni River basin in Rajasthan, India. This study was carried out by examining important thematic layers, such as vegetation parameters (normalized difference vegetation index and land use/land cover), a terrain parameter (slope), climatic parameters (mean annual rainfall and land surface temperature), and soil parameters (soil organic carbon, soil erosion, soil texture, and soil depth), using the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and geospatial techniques in the Luni River basin in Rajasthan, India. The weights derived for the thematic layers using AHP were as follows: NDVI (0.27) > MAR (0.22) > LST (0.15) > soil erosion (0.12) > slope (0.08) > LULC (0.06) > SOC (0.04) > soil texture (0.03) > soil depth (0.02). The result indicates that nearly 21.4 % of the total area is prone to very high degradation risks; 12.3% is prone to high risks; and 16%, 24.3%, and 26% are prone to moderate, low, and very low risks, respectively. The validation of LDV was carried out using high-resolution Google Earth images and field photographs. Additionally, the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve found an area under the curve (AUC) value of 82%, approving the prediction accuracy of the AHP technique in the study area. This study contributes by providing a better understanding of land degradation neutrality and sustainable soil and water management practices in the river basin

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Not AvailableSoil contamination due to heavy metals has become a great concern nowadays. The main reasons for soil contamination are both natural as well as anthropogenic. Natural processes like volcanic eruption, weathering of rocks, landslides and soil erosion while anthropogenic involves several activities like smelting, mining, application of agrochemicals (pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers) and industrial wastes. Heavy metals pollution has a direct influence on the fertility of agricultural soils. The removal of heavy metals from soil is very difficult as it stored in the environment for a long time, because of its persistent nature. Several in-situ bioremediation technologies are used for removal of heavy metals from the environment. Out of that in-situ biochar application is one of the prominent technologies for remediation of heavy metals and it was found to be effective in reducing the mobility of heavy metals in soils. Biochar effectively adsorbs heavy metals and decreases bioavailability and toxin-induced stress to the biotic component of soil. In this chapter, the emphasis has been given on heavy metal pollution and types of biochar used for remediation of heavy metals from the soil and waterNot Availabl