This study aimed to assess the vegetation cover degradation in the Sudanese Red Sea coast (from Suakin to Ashad) after the drought during the period from 2000 - 2011. Remote Sensing and GIS techniques were used beside field survey to conduct the study. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) terra 2000 -2001, 2005-2006 and 2010-2011 time-Series images mainly the 16 days Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) product and Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) images dated 2005 and 2010 were used. Unsupervised classification methods were used to detect vegetation cover of the study area. Based on field survey investigations, beside the data collected on the study area and image interpretation, it was evident that season 2005-2006 and season 2006-2010 are good seasons in the vegetation cover compared to season 2000-2001. Five land cover classes were detected; wet land, bare land and three classes of vegetation cover (dense vegetation, moderately dense vegetation and sparse vegetation cover). Spectral signatures of the three dominant land cover vegetation species were detected. Areas of the three classes of vegetation cover area (dense vegetation, moderately dense vegetation and sparse vegetation cover) were calculated per km2. The study concluded that MODIS could be used as a cost effective tool in assessing land cover changes and monitoring vegetation cover degradation.As well, it could also be used to detect fairly the different vegetation species in arid and semiarid regions.

Degraded non-cracking soils (locally known as Naga’a) are widespread in semi-arid regions of Sudan and are characterized by severe compaction, low organic matter, poor water retention, and limited crop productivity. Sustainable rehabilitation strategies for these soils remain underexplored. This study evaluated the potential of farmyard manure compost (FYM) as a soil amendment to improve physicochemical properties, soil water retention, and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) performance in degraded Naga’a soil. Aerobic composting of FYM was conducted for two months under controlled moisture and C/N ratio conditions, producing a mature compost with enhanced organic carbon, nitrogen, and water-holding capacity. A pot experiment was conducted using five rates (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha⁻¹) of the produced compost alongside a mineral NPK treatment, assigned in a randomized complete block design. Compost application significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, saturation percentage, and water-holding capacity compared with the control and NPK treatments. The highest compost rate (20 t ha⁻¹) improved soil water-holding capacity by approximately 20% and organic carbon by over 90% relative to the control. Sorghum dry matter production and plant nutrient uptake (N, P, K, and Ca) increased significantly with compost rate, while total seasonal irrigation water requirements declined. Water productivity improved progressively with compost addition, reaching a maximum increase of 60.5% at 20 t ha⁻¹ compared to the control. Overall, FYM proved effective in restoring soil functional properties, enhancing water-use efficiency, and improving sorghum growth. The results highlight the valorization of FYM as a sustainable, low-cost strategy for rehabilitating degraded non-cracking soils in arid and semi-arid environments.