Update, Conclusions, and Recommendations …
291
3 Conclusions
The following conclusions are mainly extracted from the chapters presented in this
volume:
1. The average effective active wind speed categories at Dakhla and Farafra oases
were measured using the Sand drift potential (DP) formula based on Fryberger
model. Authors clarified that spring months showed the highest resultant drift
potential on one hand, and stabilization of sand dune movements are very
difficult and more expensive, on the other hand.
2. The Qusseir Formation is the oldest rock unit exposed in Dakhla Oasis, underlain
by a thick succession of the Taref Formation and overlain by the phosphate
bearing rock unit Duwi Formation. The Duwi Formation, on the other hand, is
overlain by a thick sequence of Dakhla Formation which is divided into three
members, i.e., the Mawhub Shale Member at the base, Baris Mudstone Member
at the middle and the Kharga Shale Member at the top.
3. During the middle Maastrichtian time, west Mawhub area was slightly uplifted
and due to the environmental changes, Kharga Shale was laterally changed in
facies and became sandstone and sandy silt with limestone intercalations in
which the term Qur El-Malik Sandstone Member was applied.
4. Dakhla Oasis undergoes different man-made hazards destroying its natural
heritage in the land, water, and natural vegetation. There are many examples
of problems of over-irrigation and mismanagement of water resources. Most of
land reclamation in the study area are going fast at the expense of playa, spring
mounds, springs, etc. The last ten years were very dramatic in removing most
of the Quaternary natural history of the oasis.
5. Archaeological sites are suffering from all kind of deteriorations, either by
natural hazards or man-made ones.
6. Discharging drained water after cultivation is a big problem in many areas inside
the depression. The triangle of Ismant—Hindaw—Mut is a visible example for
land salinization.
7. The archaeological sites in Dakhla Oasis region provide an example of the
alternating wet and dry climatic phases in shaping of the oasis landscapes,
ancient civilizations and climate changes. It exemplifies the complexity of the
water/life relationship in a spring-mound fed oasis with groundwater.
8. The Urban encroachments in the oases had disastrous effects upon the archaeological sites and cities. As Dakhla Oasis is rich with many archaeological sites
from prehistoric to recent times, landscape and natural resources, a special attention should be addressed for the development of these resources for ecotourism
and desert safari.
9. Dakhla Oasis climate has the typical characteristics of both desert and oasis,
including (a) fine weather, high evapotranspiration, and nearly zero annual
rainfall, (b) humidity is high relative to typical arid regions.
10. From the meteorological conditions in Dakhla Oasis, water requirements are
highest for date palm and second highest for rice paddy. Water demands for
291
3 Conclusions
The following conclusions are mainly extracted from the chapters presented in this
volume:
1. The average effective active wind speed categories at Dakhla and Farafra oases
were measured using the Sand drift potential (DP) formula based on Fryberger
model. Authors clarified that spring months showed the highest resultant drift
potential on one hand, and stabilization of sand dune movements are very
difficult and more expensive, on the other hand.
2. The Qusseir Formation is the oldest rock unit exposed in Dakhla Oasis, underlain
by a thick succession of the Taref Formation and overlain by the phosphate
bearing rock unit Duwi Formation. The Duwi Formation, on the other hand, is
overlain by a thick sequence of Dakhla Formation which is divided into three
members, i.e., the Mawhub Shale Member at the base, Baris Mudstone Member
at the middle and the Kharga Shale Member at the top.
3. During the middle Maastrichtian time, west Mawhub area was slightly uplifted
and due to the environmental changes, Kharga Shale was laterally changed in
facies and became sandstone and sandy silt with limestone intercalations in
which the term Qur El-Malik Sandstone Member was applied.
4. Dakhla Oasis undergoes different man-made hazards destroying its natural
heritage in the land, water, and natural vegetation. There are many examples
of problems of over-irrigation and mismanagement of water resources. Most of
land reclamation in the study area are going fast at the expense of playa, spring
mounds, springs, etc. The last ten years were very dramatic in removing most
of the Quaternary natural history of the oasis.
5. Archaeological sites are suffering from all kind of deteriorations, either by
natural hazards or man-made ones.
6. Discharging drained water after cultivation is a big problem in many areas inside
the depression. The triangle of Ismant—Hindaw—Mut is a visible example for
land salinization.
7. The archaeological sites in Dakhla Oasis region provide an example of the
alternating wet and dry climatic phases in shaping of the oasis landscapes,
ancient civilizations and climate changes. It exemplifies the complexity of the
water/life relationship in a spring-mound fed oasis with groundwater.
8. The Urban encroachments in the oases had disastrous effects upon the archaeological sites and cities. As Dakhla Oasis is rich with many archaeological sites
from prehistoric to recent times, landscape and natural resources, a special attention should be addressed for the development of these resources for ecotourism
and desert safari.
9. Dakhla Oasis climate has the typical characteristics of both desert and oasis,
including (a) fine weather, high evapotranspiration, and nearly zero annual
rainfall, (b) humidity is high relative to typical arid regions.
10. From the meteorological conditions in Dakhla Oasis, water requirements are
highest for date palm and second highest for rice paddy. Water demands for