REMOTE INDICATORS OF SOIL DESERTIFICATION AND DEGRADATION

Remotely measurable indicators of soil desertification and degradation based on the reflectivity of the soil in the optical range of 0.6-0.7 mum are discussed. A three-stage scale for determining soil desertifi cation and degradation has been developed using relations with particu lar soil properties (content of humus, carbonates, gypsum, and readily soluble salts as well as the degree of soils and their reflection coe fficient). The optical contrast between different soil degradation and desertification stages has been calculated making it possible to dist inguish four classes of degradation: unchanged and slightly degraded; moderately degraded; severely degraded; and very severely and complete ly degraded.