Modelling oasification using SWAP
Oasification case study – The Borkhar irrigation district, Iran
Oasification in Iran – (Powerpoint)
The SWAP team was contacted concerning data for an oasification/(semi-)arid case study. Dr. Jos van Dam of Wageningen UR/SWAP team suggested:
Vazifedoust, M., J.C. van Dam, R.A. Feddes and M. Feizi, 2008. Increasing water productivity of irrigated crops under limited water supply at field scale. Agricultural Water Management, 95, 89-102.
A new word in the English language
Oasification: In November 2010 an application was made and accepted by the Oxford University Press pending submission to a panel for review of ‘oasification’ as a new word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
What is Oasification?
Martinez de Azagra first coined the neologism oasification in 1999 to be used as an antonym of desertification by soil erosion (de Azagra, M., 2004).
Oasification is therefore a natural or anthropogenically induced process by which an area of desert or one with a (semi-)arid desert climate at risk of desertification is transformed into one with vegetation, thereby creating an oasis under partially controlled conditions. In layman’s terms oasification is the process of greening the desert. The objective of anthropogenically induced oasification is to halt and reverse the process of desertification by addressing the hydrological, edaphic and botanical requirements of arid, semi arid and sub-humid areas.
This is achieved through optimum water, soil and nutrient harvesting and the introduction of appropriate plant species to the affected region.
Welcome
Welcome to the Oasification blog.
When it comes to oasification, desertification and related matters the Oasification blog endeavours to keep you engaged.
