valuation of the current and future hydrological situation of the Jufra region "an analytical geographical study "

Abstract

The desert regions are characterized by low annual precipitation, ranging from 50 to 250 mm, and the maximum annual latent evaporation may reach more than 500 mm. the water network is poor and undeveloped, and the surface streams are the most dry or semi-arid. Al-Jufra region “the study area” is located in the dry zone, which is characterized by high summer temperatures that may reach 45 degrees Celsius and its dry and very cold winters. the region is characterized by dust-laden winds blowing and does not cause rain to fall due to the large daily and seasonal temperature range, which causes the poverty of its plant cover. However, resorting to the method modern agriculture has enabled those interested in agriculture to expand palm cultivation, as the latest statistics indicate that there are 3.5 million palm trees in Al-Jufra area. This expansion of agriculture has led to pressure on the region’s groundwater reserve, so this paper aims to high light on the study and evaluation of the hydrological situation. for Al-Jufra region and showing the extent of its current and future situation and presenting ways to approach the state of sustainability in the process of exploiting it, this paper relied on the descriptive and analytical approach through the qualitative data available in references and scientific sources, in addition to the use of the quantitative statistical approach, maps and graphs in an attempt to simplify data and results on the one hand, and extracting problems and solutions on the other hand. The paper reached several results, including that the processes of depletion of water reserves have multiplied several times in recent decades because of the expansion of the agricultural area. The paper concluded with several recommendations that would draw attention to awareness of the importance of controlling and managing groundwater reserves by codifying and developing the used irrigation methods.