الفهرس 
Introduction
Remote sensing definition and applicationOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Objectives: The most important aspects of this research is to develop a soil classification map of soils in the Oasis and to evaluate their capability and suitability for specific crops by using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Also, is to make this information available in a user friendly format and maps to land use planners and decision makers.
Methods & Results: This study was carried out on soils of Bahariya Oasis, Giza Governorate, and Egypt. It is located between latitudes 27° 48’ - 28° 30’ N and longitudes 28° 35’ - 29° 10’ E, about 2100 km2 (about 500,000 fed).Thirty one soil profiles were dug throughout the oasis to represent soil physiographic units. The studied profiles were morphologically described and site characteristics were observed and recorded. A total of 68 soil samples, representing the different soil horizons of the selected profiles were collected, air-dried, crushed to pass through 2 mm sieve, and stored for physical and chemical analyses.Spot 4 images (acquired in 2011) and digital elevation model (DEM) of the Oasis (developed from the SRTM data) were used to define the physiographic map in the studied area. This is in combination with the field observations and laboratory analyses. Three main physiographic units were recognized in the studied area, which are: plains, depression floor with low, moderately high and high lands, and pediment.
Also, eleven soil map units SMUs were identified in the oasis depending on the soil physical, chemical and morphological characteristics. These SMUs include: 1. Sandy, siliceous, calcareous, thermic, Lithic Calcigypsids, 2. Sandy, siliceous, thermic, Lithic Haplogypsids, 3. Sandy, siliceous, thermic, Typic Haplogypsids, 4. Sandy, siliceous, thermic, Typic Aquisalids, 5. Sandy, siliceous, thermic, Lithic Haplosalids, 6. Loamy, mixed, active, thermic, Typic Gypsiargids, 7. Sandy, siliceous, thermic, Typic Quartzipsamments, 8. Sandy, siliceous, thermic, Lithic Torripsamments, 9. Sandy, siliceous, thermic, Typic Torripsamments, 10. Loamy, mixed, super active, thermic, Typic Torrifluvents, and 11. Sandy skeletal, siliceous, thermic, Typic Torriorthents. Calcium, gypsum, and salt accumulations were very obvious in most of the studied soils. Silicate clay represented in the argillic horizon was observed in few areas of the depression.
Land evaluation was carried out using the Agriculture Land Evaluation System for arid and semi-arid region (ASLEarid). According to this model, soils in the studied area laid within three capability classes, which are good (C2), fair (C3) and poor (C4). Land suitability for selected field crops and vegetables varied from highly suitable (S1) to conditionally suitable (S4). On the other hand, land suitability for the selected fruit trees range from highly suitable (S1) to actually unsuitable (NS2). Non-suitable areas for fruit trees were mainly due to soil depth restrictions which can be modified through land management by digging pits for fruit trees.
Conclusion: Soils in Bahariya oasis could have a promising future for agricultural expansion projects if both suitable reclamation methods and appropriate management practices were applied.