Extent of Climate Change in Saudi Arabia and Its Impacts on Agriculture: A Case Study from Qassim Region
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change due to its geographical location with a continental climate, cold winter, hot summer, and random rainfall. This chapter focuses on the effects of climate change on soils and groundwater in valley wadi Rumah, Qassim, KSA by using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Three satellite images (taken in 1972, 1990, and 2000) were acquired and analyzed to detect the changes in topography during these years. Climatic, field and previously published data were collected and analyzed to understand the changes in the agricultural system in the region over the past 30–40 years. The rainfall and average temperatures were increased while drought intervals were decreased. The length of valley increased by 6.7%, and average soil profile depth increased by 80–105 cm in the downstream, whereas, decreased by 70–30 cm in the upstream. A decrease in groundwater salinity (4.5–2.6 dS m−1) and development of some subsurface diagnostic horizons (calcic and salic) changed the soil order from Entisols to Aridosols. These changes may be attributed to changes in the rainfall, temperature, and wind speed as a result of climate change since no human activities were identified in the valley pathways.
Elevated levels of doxycycline (DC) have been detected in the environment due to its extensive utilization as a veterinary antibiotic. Sorption–desorption behavior of DC in soil affects its…
Application of manure and compost can result in the accumulation of veterinary antibiotics in soil, subsequently posing ecological risks.
Healthy soils ensure food security through sustainable agricultural production and also support in mitigating the climate change hazardous like global warming and greenhouse gases emission.