Modelling and Mapping of Potential Vegetation Regeneration Areas in the Sinkat District the Red Sea Hills Area, Eastern Sudan

In arid regions, the regeneration of vegetation is determined by both natural and human factors, which in turn are co-related. The spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture as determined by climate variability and physical characteristics of the c atchment is the major natural factor. The influence of human activities and social development, on the other hand, is a more complicated issue that is determined by various elements. One of these elements and one that reflects human intervention is land-u se change. It is a relatively easily identifiable factor. The hydrological and environmental impacts of land-use change have been widely studied together with climate variability and other natural factors. The proposed research project focuses on how the natural variability and land-use changes have affected in the past, and continue to affect vegetation regeneration in the Sinkat District, Red Sea Hills area, Sudan. A Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-Transfer model (SVAT) will be used to simulate the spatial a nd temporal variability of soil moisture and identify potential areas for vegetation regeneration in the region. Both ground measurement and remote sensing data will be used to drive and validate the model. The expected results should quantify the importa nce of these factors to the process of regeneration and hence to controlling desertification. The expected results should then be applicable to other geographic areas.