Abstract

The current study aims at using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques for optimum landuse planning of the area which located north Ismaillia ‑ south Port Said Governorates on the west side of Suez Canal. Area is bounded by longitudes 32°02′32"E and latitudes 30°41′31"N. The area was formed by river Nile before the construction of High Dam. Great part of this area is under reclamation and suffering from inadequate landuse. Ten geomorphologic units were recognized i.e. clay flats, decantation basins, overflow basin, sand sheets, gypsiferous flats, old river terraces, sand flats, turtle backs, lake beds, recent river terraces. Using US Soil Taxonomy, two soil orders could be identified: Entisols and Aridisols. Those are represented by ten great groups: Typic Haplosalids, Typic Haplogypsids, Typic Toriorthents, Vertic Argigypsids, Vertic Torrifluvents, Vertic Natrargids, Typic Torripsamments, Typic Torrifluvens, Aquic Torriorthents. Optimum landuse planning of the studied area aimed to minimize the inputs and maximize the outputs includes two approaches physical planning, cropping pattern.

Keywords: land and water resources, remote sensing, GIS and soil taxonomy