vol 25 no1, 2025

Using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to Map Soil Erosion Vulnerability in the West Bank, Palestine

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Using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to Map Soil Erosion Vulnerability in the West Bank, Palestine

Abstract:

More than 80% of the West Bank is mountainous, and their elevations range from around (421) m below the mean sea level near the Dead Sea in the Jordan Valley to around 1020 m above the mean sea level in the southern part of the central mountains of the West Bank near Hebron.  This situation affects the rainfall and vegetation distribution, creating an environment that contributes effectively to the soil erosion process in the West Bank.  This study investigates the use of the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) in the GIS environment to map the soil erosion vulnerability in the West Bank.  The findings of the study reveal that approximately 72% of the West Bank exhibits moderate vulnerability to soil erosion, while 18% of the area is highly vulnerable, and the remaining 10% demonstrates low vulnerability.The highly vulnerable soil erosion areas are concentrated on the western slopes and highlands of the West Bank.  Geopolitically, around 65% of the moderately vulnerable to soil erosion, and around 54% of the highly vulnerable area are in Area C. Area C represents around 62% of the West Bank and is under full control of the Israeli occupation authorities.  This geopolitical situation makes it difficult to conduct soil conservation and development programs for the West Bank.  This study recommends that international political intervention is a must to conduct a soil conservation program in the study area.

Keywords: Soil erosion, The West Bank, Palestine, FAHP, GIS.

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