Soil fertility must be viewed as a dynamic concept that involves the constant cycling of nutrients between organic and inorganic forms. In this context, it refers also to supply adequate amounts of water and aeration for plant growth. Soil fertility under arid and semi-arid lands is constrained not only by limited water availability but also by small organic matter contents. Most fertility assessment systems are based on organic matter contents as the main parameter. However, crop experiments from various irrigated arid and semi-arid soils indicate that productivity is less-affected by organic matter contents than assumed. Therefore, we propose a new soil fertility system for dryland soils. It is a rule-based set of algorithms, mainly using additions and subtractions. Soil, climate, and landscape factors are integrated to calculate the numerical value of fertility for a given soil. We expect the system, which is focused on soil properties that keep or increase optimum soil moisture (such as texture), to be applicable in arid and semi-arid lands and to provide more realistic estimates of fertility regarding agricultural purposes. The manuscript will provide an outline of the main aspects of the system, illustrated by various case applications.

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of soil erosion dynamics in the El-Sarout River Watershed, encompassing 598.15 km² within the humid mountainous ecosystems of the eastern Mediterranean. Using the Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) model, integrated with Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing, the research evaluates soil erosion susceptibility across varied landscapes. The CORINE model facilitates the creation of thematic maps essential for understanding soil erosion dynamics, including the Potential Soil Erosion Risk (PSER) and Actual Soil Erosion Risk (ASER) maps. PSER, derived from the Soil Erodibility Index, Erosivity Index, and Slope Index, identifies areas at risk under natural conditions. ASER refines this assessment by incorporating the Land Cover Index, which reflects current land use and management practices. Findings reveal that 18.56% (111.01 km²) of the watershed, particularly in the complex terrain of the southwest and north, faces high erosion risk. Another 11.7% (70.0 km²) exhibits moderate risk, while the majority, 69.74% (417.14 km²), experiences low risk. These results align with field observations of erosion features such as rills and gullies. The study emphasizes the complexity of soil erosion processes, highlighting the interaction between rainfall intensity, vegetation cover, and topography. Contrary to common assumptions, areas with dense vegetation may still be highly susceptible to erosion, particularly in steep regions subject to intense rainfall. The study calls the need for further research to establish negative thresholds for influencing factors and to incorporate rainfall intensity indicators into erosion models, aiming to enhance the precision and efficacy of soil conservation strategies.

This study presents the evaluation of some technological and production specifications of 20 selected wild olive (oleaster) phenotypes from Hama Province, western–central Syria. The analyses of oil quantity showed that the olive oil (OO) extracted ranged from 10.43 to 29.3%. The fatty acid composition determined by gas chromatography (m/m%, methyl esters), conforming to commercial standards, showed the percentages of palmitic (ranged 13.2–15.06%), stearic (2.27–4.2%), arachidic (0.42–0.7%), palmitoleic (0.73–1.25%), oleic (64.29–73.17%), linoleic (8.96–16.45%), and linolenic (0.23–1.6%). Our results suggest that, despite being in a harsh environment and lacking agricultural service, two wild olive phenotypes (WA4, WA6) are interesting since their fruits showed high-quality properties (fruit weight 2.16, 3.24 g; flesh 75.83, 86.2, respectively), high content of OO% (29.27, 29.01, respectively), and better fatty acid composition (oleic % 68.45, 66.74, respectively). This enables them to be a very promising introductory feature in olive genetic improvement processes. Thus, both phenotypes were adopted tentatively as inputs, the first for oil purposes and the second for dual purposes (oil and table olives). It will be important to further evaluate these promising phenotypes in terms of their OO minor compounds, as well as their ability to resist biotic and abiotic stresses.

This study investigates the distribution, morphology, and properties of these soils, focusing on areas such as littoral plains, high hilly areas, and rift depression valleys. Black soils occur in the eastern Mediterranean with a limited distribution, and some of them meet the requirements for black soils according to the INBS (International Network of Black Soils), while others do not. Black soils can be categorized into three types based on their genesis and evolution: calcareous black soils (mainly raw rocky rendzina), hydromorphic black soils, and black soil on basalt. While black soils were found in various bioclimatic stages and parent materials, their presence was notably limited in certain areas, contrary to prior indications. A soil morphology analysis revealed distinct color variations and depths, influenced by the accumulation of organic matter for hydromorphic and calcareous black soils and basaltic parent material for black soils on basalt. A particle size analysis indicated texture variations from clay to loam, with no clear indication of illuviation. A chemical analysis showed alkaline pH levels, except in basalt-derived soils, which exhibited a slight acidity. Hydromorphic black soil is the most important in terms of expansion and agricultural use and is only found in limestone marl deposits and lakes in depressions emerging from Dead Sea rifts under conditions of saturation or poor drainage. These soils have a thick, dark moly horizon and a high organic matter content.

Soil catena concept is a sequence of soils extends across relief positions and is developed from similar parent material. This study highlighted on the important aspects and properties of soil catena of Daher El-Jabal in Jabal Al-Arab mountainous area South eastern of Syria, by implementing pedologic study in 2010-2012. Six soil profiles have been studied along pedo-genetic transect in order to highlight the soil catena prevailing properties. The results reveal that the soil has formed from igneous basaltic parent casts, related to Neogen era, where reliefs had the key role in the developing of soil solum. Consequently, Entisols were dominated on eroded summits, Inceptisols on back slops and mountain flanks, Mollisols on depressions. Both water erosion of soil surface and leaching inside soil solum processes were responsible for variation of soil texture, as such soils showed evident of changing in particles size distribution as well as in clay content. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was less than moderate with domination of Magnesium cation. Soil trace elements were poor to somewhat poor. Soil pH values in general were low; which reflect the pedo-genic character of igneous parent material in which soil drifted from. In some cases, where soil body subjected to continuous leaching of soil bases, in particular calcium cation; soil profiles became totally freed from calcium carbonates. Accordingly soil problems related to downing of soil reaction (pH) are more expected to be increasing by time. This is main reason for some physical diseases, which beginning arise on pomes fruits, particularly bitter pit. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT Volume-6, Issue-1, Dec-Feb 2016/17, page: 87-107

Background: Mahaleb still exists in most of the eastern Mediterranean forests associated with Cilician fir (Abies cilicica) and Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani). However, there is an importance of conservation of its germplasm in hereditary banks due to their degradation in natural habitats, as well as there is growing interest in expanding Mahaleb cultivation due to its low requirements and endurance of harsh environments.Methods: The study used the approaches of the autecology concepts to study Mahaleb in situ. The field surveys have been conducted on an investigated homogeneous area of about 100m² to 400m² as a (relevé area).Results: Mahaleb occurs in its habitat in isolated individuals form and fragile structures of populations that were largely believed to have been in clumped or linear populations. The spatial distribution is restricted to small isolated zones in half-open, treeless or rocky outcrops areas of deciduous forests or rugged areas of barren mountains. The root sprouting seems to be the dominant mode of recruitment. However, all sites showed missing age classes that may indicate human infringement or the failure of recruitment in some years. The spatial distribution showed that Mahaleb exists in different environmental and climatic conditions regarding soil, landscape, rainfall, temperature. This can be attributed to its possession of genetic capabilities that enable it to adapt to varying environmental conditions in addition to the presence of different genotypes or higher taxa such as subspecies or even it may reflect the differences of environmental resilience inside some species themselves.Conclusions: this reflecting Mahaleb's high ability to withstand environmental, thermal, and water stresses. Notable, strong, long roots were found at different depths of soils, some within the joints of the rocks, and this strengthens its role in protecting soil conservation. The geo-distribution of Mahaleb suggests different genotypes or higher taxa such as subspecies or even the differences of environmental resilience inside some species themselves.It is also necessary to predict new potential areas for growth Mahaleb in the eastern Mediterranean to increase production either by introducing its cultivation in unconventional areas or by enhancing its productivity in the areas currently cultivated, which appears to be an important issue soon.