The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

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129

S OILS S OIL G REAT G ROUPS OF A BU D HABI

Intensive Soil Survey Results Soil surveys were conducted at a broad scale for the entire Abu Dhabi Emirate, and 4 specific areas were targeted for detailed study. This inset map is a representation of one of the detailed study areas located just west of Al Ain.

Non surveyed area

Ra's al- Khaimah Madinat Zayed- Ghuweifat-Barakah complex - deflation plains Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling plains and rises

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling rises (Al Ain)

Madinat Zayed consociation - gently undulating to undulating plains

Non surveyed area

Al Usb-Rock Outcrop complex - deflation plains

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling rises

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling rises

Madinat Zayed consociation - level to gently undulating plains

Madinat Zayed- Ghuweifat-Barakah complex - deflation plains

Umm al-Qaiwain

Madinat Zayed consociation - undulating and rolling dunes

Non surveyed area

Soil is the unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants. Soil formation is a result of the complex interaction of climate, parent material, biological activities and topography; biological processes play a minor part in the Emirate’s soil development due to low organic matter and scarce vegetation. The soils of the Emirate vary according to chemistry, mineralogy, physics, uses and other factors; generally, the Emirate’s soils are sandy and dominated by minerals such as quartz and carbonates. Along the coast, however, soils contain high sodium chloride salt concentrations, and tend to be poorly drained. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi implemented the Soil Survey of Abu Dhabi Emirate to identify and map the soils of the Emirate and determine their suitability for different uses to assist with land management planning. Nine soil great

groups were recorded and are displayed on this map; other map units where the dominant component is not a natural soil (rock outcrops, miscellaneous units, etc.) are also displayed. Torripsamments are the most dominant and widespread soil great group, comprising eighty-one per cent of the Emirate. These soils occur as extensive dune systems and sand sheets and tend to have low water holding and run-off capacity, high infiltration, and low fertility. The Emirate’s desert soils are highly prone to wind erosion and degradation due to the region’s climate, increased salinisation, waterlogging, human land use practices, and overgrazing. Soil degradation reduces the capacity of the soil to produce goods or services, impacting food security and the quality of the environment.

Madinat Zayed consociation - gently undulating to undulating plains

Yahir

Madinat Zayed consociation - undulating and rolling dunes

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling rises (Al Ain)

Madinat Zayed consociation - undulating and rolling dunes

Al-Sulaimat

Ajman

Non surveyed area

As Sad

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling plains and rises

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling rises (Al Ain)

Sharjah

Bu Samra

Madinat Zayed consociation - level to gently undulating plains

Madinat Zayed consociation - gently undulating to undulating plains

Madinat Zayed-Al Daghar- Saruk Qufa complex - deflation plains

Qatar

Dubai

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling rises (Al Ain)

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling rises

Non surveyed area

Madinat Zayed-Al Daghar- Saruk Qufa complex - deflation plains

Sha’bbiyat-Madinat Zayed complex - level plains

Sha’bbiyat-Madinat Zayed complex - level plains

Madinat Zayed consociation - gently undulating to undulating plains

Madinat Zayed consociation - rolling rises (Al Ain)

Non surveyed area

Non surveyed area

25°N

25°N

A r a b i a n G u l f

F

TTPLM

TTPH

Misc

THS

TPC

Soil Profile This photo shows a profile of a Typic Torripsamments soil, a subgroup of the Torripsamments , which are wide- spread in the Emirate’s desert environ- ment. These sandy soils contain little moisture and are weakly developed; the soil profile depicted here shows distinct horizons, which are indica- tive of the soil’s age, mineralogy and parent material.

TTPMH

Mkasib

TPG

TTPH

TTPMH

Qaffay

Abu Dhabi

TPG

F

THC

EHG

TTPLM

TTPH

Muhayyimat

TPG

TTPMH

Inset Map Area

Misc

U

Ghaghah

Misc

TTPH

TPG

TTPLM

Misc

Musaffah

U

TPG

TTPH

U

TPG

Bani Yas

GHS

Misc

TTPMH

TTPMH

Misc

NSA

Al Ain

U

EHG

GHS

TF

Jebel Dhanna

Misc

U

LTO

RO

TTPMH

TAS

NSA

GHS

TTPLM

HL

Ruwais

TTPMH

TTPL

F

EHG

U

EHG

TTO

TTPLM

NSA

THS

HL

TTPLM

TTPH

TAS

THS

TTPL

NSA

THC

RO

Tarif

GHS

TAS

TPG

Sila'a

THC

Misc

U

TTPLM

TAS

TCG

F

TAS

TTPLM

EHG

TTPLM

THS

THS

HL

TAS

TTPL

24°N

24°N

THS

THS

TTPLM

THS

EHG

GAS

THS

THS

TTPLM

TTPL

TTPLM

TTPLM

GHS

TTPMH

GHS

TTPLM

TTPL

TTPLM

Habshan

Ghayathi

TTPL

TTPMH

PHS

TTPL

TTPLM

TTPH

GAS

TTPLM

TTPL

TTPL

TTPH

TTPMH

GAS

TTPMH

TTPL

THS

Madinat Zayed

TTPH

TTPH

GHS

TTPH

TTPL

EHG

GAS

TTPH

Legend – Soil Great Group

TTPLM

Bu Hasa

TTPH

TTPMH

GAS

TTPMH

TTPL

TTPLM

Torripsamments - high relief (>=30m)

TPG

Typic Torriorthents

TTO

TTPH

GHS

TTPMH

TTPH

Torripsamments - low-medium relief (3-<9m)

Tidal Flat

TTPLM

TF

TTPLM

TTPMH

TPG

GAS

TTPMH

Typic Calcigypsids

Miscellaneous units

TCG

MISC

TTPH

TTPL

TPG

TTPLM

GHS

Urban

Oman

Lithic Torriorthents

U

LTO

TTPLM

Liwa

TTPH

TPG

Typic Petrogypsids

Gypsic Aquisalids

GAS

TPG

TTPH

GHS

Gypsic Haplosalids

Typic Aquisalids

TAS

GHS

TTPH

Non Surveyed Area

Typic Haplosalids

NSA

THS

23°N

23°N

Typic Haplocalcids

Typic Petrocalcids

TTPH

TTPH

THS

TPC

GHS

TTPMH

TTPH

TTPH

TTPMH

Torripsamments - low relief (<3m)

TTPH

Leptic Haplogypsids

TPG

TTPL

EHG

Petrogypsic Haplosalids

High Land

HL

PHS

Torripsamments - medium-high relief (9-<30m)

Rock outcrops

TTPMH

RO

Saudi Arabia

TPG

GHS

GHS

Forestry/Farms

F

20

0

20

40 Kilometres

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