UAE | Environment
Geologists focus on saving water
UAE geologists have been developing a remotely sensed vegetation index that could be used for future water resources management and evaluation of the impact of climatic changes on agricultural production.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 July 8, 2006
Al Ain: UAE geologists have been developing a remotely sensed vegetation index that could be used for future water resources management and evaluation of the impact of climatic changes on agricultural production.
A study has been completed by analysing evapotranspiration estimates from GIS-based remote sensing and field data in a selected area of Al Ain.
Evapotranspiration is the process through which moisture returns to the air by evaporation from the soil and transpiration by plants.
Dr Fares M. Howari, a professor at the Geology Department at UAE University (UAEU), said it was an ongoing project.
Dr Howari is a specialist in environmental geology and natural hazards and Dr Ahmad Murad, also from the Geology Department, has been working with him on the project, supported by the Research Affairs Sector of the UAEU.
Features
He said evapotranspiration could also be useful in developing good water resources management schemes, evaluating climatic changes effects on agricultural production, computing of the soil water balance, defining irrigation scheduling, and evaluating water conservation practices.
He said the most remarkable geological features in the vicinity of the study area is Jebel Hafeet, a 29 km long foreland, surrounded by dry wadi systems.
He said field trips were conducted by the research team to areas of interest including parks and play areas.
Share this article
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Gallery
Your Pictures
XPRESS brings you a selection of the best reader pictures
-
Money
Managing with less
How to manage with less than Dh3,000 to spend every month
-
Your Say
Fun encounters
What was the craziest way in which you made a friend?
Latest news
- Dubai Municipality declares car-free day
- UAE issues booklet on workers' rights
- Dubai's Arabic-speaking robot takes a flight to Riyadh
- RAK bans shisha smoking on Corniches
- School pupils raise funds for Haiti
- No individual meals at public kitchens
- Trio to be charged with breach of trust
- Man smoked hashish in police station parking lot
- Mohammad visits Dubai laboratory
- Sayegh, Al Sarsi sworn in as judges
- UAE youth join trip to spread peace
- Man denies stripping, threatening to kill woman
- Al Dhafrah Festival is another huge hit
- Sharia Court to issue ID cards as proof of marriage
- Burj Khalifa observation deck incident 'minor'
Community Reports
-
School pupils raise funds for Haiti
To end the fundraising week, an event was hosted on January 28 at the school's campus in Dubai Festival City
-
Huge holes in conservation effort
One feels silly switching off lights in a room when leaving it as rampant wastage of energy takes place in shops across Dubai
-
Messages on wall reflect state of mind
Home is a child's first school and a mother is the first teacher
-
Cats move in on Abu Dhabi beach
A dedicated shelter would provide the felines gathering around the lighthouse and Corniche a place to call home
