沙漠研究 24-1, 73-76 (2014)
Ἃ₍◊✲ 24-1, 73 -76 (2014)
Journal of Arid Land Studies
Journal of Arid Land Studies－ DT11 Refereed Paper －㸫DT11 Refereed Paper㸫

Controlling Land Degradation Using Environmentally Friendly Materials- The Case of Kuwait R.F. MISAK*1) and M. K. SULEIMAN1)
Abstract: The harsh environmental conditions (including drought) as well as the degradation of natural resources due to humanpressure are major impediments for the real development of the terrestrial environment of Kuwait. These two major elements
represent a serious threat to Kuwait’s national economy and quality of life. Challenges facing the real development of the terrestrial
environment of Kuwait are diversified. Reversing the processes of land degradation through serious and sustainable control
measures, as well as appropriate land use planning are the most significant challenges. The main objective of this study is to enhance
the soil quality and stabilize the mobile sandy bodies using inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials. These materials
include a wide range of plant cuttings (reaching about 10 elements). These include leaves, fruit bunches and fibers of date palms,
dead tree branches and grasses. In addition, ecomat, which is an environmentally friendly material made up of 100% natural oil palm
residues, was used for sand stabilization. Previous experience indicates that plant debris especially ecomat, leaves of date palms andtree branches, if properly applied, are very effective in the immediate stabilization of active sandy bodies.
Key Words: Drought, Ecomat, Human pressure, Land use planning, Mobile sands

1. Introduction
Kuwait covers 17,800 km2. It consists of two mainecosystems to include terrestrial (about 85%) and the coastaland marine (15%). The rainfall in Kuwait is scanty andirregular; the rainy season extends between October and April.
The average annual rainfall is about 110 mm. During the last
forty years, Kuwait experienced a number of dry seasons
during which rainfall was below average level. A record ofdry seasons is as follows: 1963/1964 (28.1 mm total rainfall),1972/1973 (39.7 mm total rainfall), 1988/1989 (31.6 mm totalrainfall) and 1993/1994 (28.3 mm total rainfall). In addition
to dry seasons, Kuwait experienced drought periods lasting
more than three seasons, e.g. 1962-1967 (28.1-87.7 mm ofrainfall) and 1987-1990 (31.6-84 mm of rainfall). As statedby Misak et al. (2013) during the last seven years, Kuwait
experienced a period of drought (2007-2013).
Land degradation processes prevail in the majority of theterrestrial environment of Kuwait. Three classes of landdegradation are identified in this terrestrial environment (Misakand Al Dousari, 2013). These are almost non-degraded(12-15%), moderately degraded (75%) and severely degraded(10-12%).
Land degradation processes include: soil salinization andwater logging, loss of top soils (through both wind and watererosion), soil crusting, sealing and compaction, vegetation* Corresponding Author: rmisak@kisr.edu.kw
B.O.Box:24885 Safat 13109, Kuwait
1) Kuwait Institute for Scientific Researchdegradation and loss of biodiversity. In the open desert areas(close to 75% of Kuwait), where land is primarily used forlivestock grazing, indicators of soil, vegetation andhydrological degradation as well as loss of biodiversity areprevailing. In the agricultural areas (about 2.7% of Kuwait),
depletion of soil productivity, water logging and soil
salinization are recorded.
Controlling land degradation using local environmentallyfriendly materials such as plant residues was first attempted by
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) in 1995 at
Burgan Oil Field (Al-Sudairawi et al., 1999). In 2003, a pilot
experiment for mobile sand control, using dead plant materials
was started at Al-Liyah protected area (Al Hajraf et al., 2007).
In 2006/2008, field experiments on the stabilization of sandy
soils, using a wide variety of local materials, were conductedby the Arabian Scientific Consultancy Center (ASCC) at thesite of the spirit of the desert (Burgan Oil field) and Managish
pilot site. Internationally eco-friendly materials are applied
for controlling land degradation and stabilization of active
sandy bodies in several areas. These materials are being usedin Karakum Desert (Turkmenistan), Atlas sand dune belts(Morocco), Rajasthan Desert (India), Kubuqi Desert (China),
Nile Delta and Siwa Oases (Western Desert of Egypt).
Figure 1 shows some applications of plant residues in mobile
sand control in several parts of the world.
In 2006-2008, ecomat was used for stabilization of active
sand bodies and enhancement of soil properties in the spirit of㸦Received, September 15th, 2013; Accepted, February 10th, 2014㸧

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Fig. 3. Image of Kuwait (2010) showing the location of the field
experiments.
Fig. 1. Application of plant residues in controlling shifting sands inseveral arid regions.

Table 1. Information on the Indicators of land degradation, land use
and soil types of the three pilot sites.
Pilot site
Al LiyahLand use
Area Indicators of l and degradation(m22)3000 Soil losses by wind.
Abandoned gravel
Soil crusting and sealing.
quarry (protected
Degradation of vegetation cover. since 2002/2003)

Sprit of the60,000 Soil losses by wind and water.
Desert (Burgan
Oil pollution
Oil field)

ManagishFig. 2. Using Ecomat (100% natural oil palm residues) in China andKuwait.

the desert (Burgan Oil Field). This material was applied inChina as well (Fig. 2).

2. Materials and Methods
In 2006-2008, field experiments (three pilot sites) on
controlling land degradation using environmentally friendly
materials were carried out in three areas of different
environmental conditions. These are Liyah area (north ofKuwait City), Spirit of the Desert (Burgan Oil Field, south ofKuwait City) and Managish Oil Field (southwest of Kuwait
City). Figure 3 shows the location of these areas. Table 1
presents information on indicators of land degradation, land
use and soil types at the pilot sites. The experimental plot

Soil type
Sandy soils(active sandsheets)

Rehabilitated dumping Sandy andsite
gravelly soils

78,177 Soil losses by wind.
Rangeland grazing
Soil crusting and sealing
Loss of biodiversity
Degradation of vegetation coverRemarks
About 20 km to thenorth of Jahra City

Inside the oil field at
the extreme
northeastern portion ofBurgan

Deep sandy soil Outside the Managish(fine to coarse) Oil Field(250,000 m2) was classified into 25 equal sections (each10,000 m2). Field experiments using different materials wereconducted in 20 sections. The remaining 5 sections weredesignated as control. Ecomat sheets of different coverage
were used as mulching materials in 8 sections. Checkerboard
systems of different heights (100 cm, 75 cm, 50 cm and 25 cm)
were tested in 4 sections and plant residues of different
coverage were used in 8 sections.
The tested environmentally friendly materials are classified
into processed and unprocessed (raw materials). Processedmaterials include Ecomat (Malaysian product), while
unprocessed materials include plant residues such as palm
leaves (fronds), tree cuttings, grasses, fruit bunches and fibersof date palms and others. These materials are biodegradable,
environmentally/ecologically friendly, economically feasible,
available in huge amounts, and highly flexible which makes
them easily portable and efficient for workers to apply (userfriendly). As stated by Arabian Scientific Consultancy Center(2008), Ecomat is environmental friendly mulching mat, fully
biodegradable, made up from 100% natural oil palm residues.
These residues supply nutrients to both the soil and the plants.
The Ecomat contains elements e.g., K (Potassium), Mg(Magnesium) and N (Nitrogen), which enhance soil quality

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Table 2. Costs of stabilization of 1 m2 of soil using different material(min. 1000 m2) (Source Misak et al., 2007).
MaterialLocal plant residues

Cost (KD)
1 KD = 3.6 USD
0.3-0.5 (source: Misak, 2006)

Remarks

Chemicals (soil stabilizers)

3- 4 (source: local market, 2006)

Available in agricultural farms
and gardens
Not recommended

Metal grid (Checkerboardsystem,1m spacing)

2.67 (source: A. Ramadan, 2008)

About 50 cm highMetal grid (Checkerboardsystem ,2m spacing)

1.5 (source: A. Ramadan, 2008)

About 50 cm highEcomat (Malaysian)

0.5-0.6 (Source: ASCC, 2006)

Highly recommended

and plant growth (Arabian Scientific Consultancy Center,2006).

3. Results and Discussion
Soil moisture retention: The tested materials help to retain
moisture and reduce evaporation of water from subsoil,
encourage plant growth and wildlife habitats. In Liyah area,mulching of fragile sandy soils with plant residues resulted in
the immediate soil stabilization and enhancement of soil
properties. Soil moisture content was about 2.5 times greaterin the 0-60 cm soil profile of the mulched soils in comparison
to control (untreated soil). This content was 16.2% formulched soils, while it was 6.7% for untreated soil(un-mulched).
Reduction of sand drifting :Using raw plant residues (treecuttings and grass clippings) as mulching materials on sandy
soils reduced local sand drifting in Al-Liyah pilot site, by atleast 50% after 8 months (August 2006-March 2007). Thiswas based on field measurements using sand traps (Al Dousari,2007, personal communication). In Managish pilot site, welldesigned low fences (about one meter high) of plant residues
trapped not less than 90% of saltating sands within 6 months(May-October, 2008).
Rodent burrows: In Al-Liyah pilot site rodent burrows
were about 6 times higher in treated soils (mulched) incomparison to control (un-treated soils) within 3-4 weeks(August-September, 2006).
Vegetation cover: In Burgan oil field, mulching Ecomat
sheets on highly degraded crusted sandy soils resulted in thedevelopment of a dense vegetation cover after six months(November 2006-April 2007).
Cost effectiveness: The cost of stabilization of one square
meter of fragile soils ranges between KD 2.67 for metal grid(one m spacing) and KD 0.3-0.5 for plant residues. ForEcomat cost is KD 0.5-0.6 (all costs include time and labour).
This means that protective cover of plant residues is thesimplest and most cost effective way to enhance soil moisture
content, vegetation cover, and wild life habitats a Table 2
presents information on costs of the mentioned materials.

4. Conclusion and Recommendation
Field experiments (three pilot sites) on controlling landdegradation using a variety of environmentally friendly
materials were carried out in three areas of different
environmental conditions in the desert of Kuwait. The resultsof field experiments indicate that protective cover of plantresidues is the simplest and most cost effective way to enhancesoil moisture content, vegetation cover and wild life habitats.
The cost of these residues is KD 0.3-0.5/m2 compared withother materials, such as chemical soil stabilizers (KD 3-4/m2).
Raw plant residues (tree cuttings and grass clippings) reduced
local sand drifting in Al Liyah area by at least 50% (compared
to untreated areas). In this area, soil moisture content was
about 2.5 times greater in the 0-60 cm soil profile of themulched soils in comparison to control (untreated soil). As
indicted in the field, the tested materials specially Ecomat, havethe following common benefits :- Environmental friendly and fully biodegradable, made up
from 100% natural residues.
- Fast binders for active sandy soils.
- Providing excellent medium for quick vegetation and holding
the seeds in place.
- Excellent for air and water permeability.
It is strongly recommended to use environmentally friendly
materials on a large scale to rehabilitate degraded soils,
specially the north-western parts of the terrestrial environmentof Kuwait (about 600 km2). First priority should be given toplant residues which are available in agricultural areas ofKuwait.
Acknowledgement
The authors express their thanks to Eng. Ahmad Othman(GIS Section, KISR) for his help in maintaining the figures ofthis paper.

References
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Protection of pipelines against shifting sands in west

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