Applications of Space Techniques on the Natural Hazards in the MENA Region

This book introduces a comprehensive understanding in the use of space techniques in natural hazards and risk management in the MENA Region.  The book is based on different case-studies from 25 MENA countries, and will be useful in highlighting the issues from all aspects.

In recent years the number of natural hazard events has increased in the MENA Region. This is exacerbated by the changing climate and extreme climate events, as well as a large increase in the population in this area.   Disastrous events occur on a yearly basis characterized by a vulnerability of physical processes.  Floods, earthquakes, and mass movement result in severe damage to property and livelihoods, and have devastating effects upon the environment.  These events cause severe financial losses, which on an annual basis, can exceed millions of dollars. 

The predication, assessment and monitoring approaches remain inadequate in managing these hazards and in mitigating their impacts, but with the development of space techniques and geo-information systems, these situations can now be better managed. The miscellany of satellite images, with different spatial and temporal resolutions, enable the detection of terrain features and provide indications of potential natural risks.

This book will of interest to stakeholders, including field experts, academics, researchers and decision makers.

Professor Mashael Bent Mohammed Al Saud obtained her PhD (Applied Geomorphology and Remote Sensing) in 1996 from King Saud University where she was the Deputy of Geography Division, after which she worked as Lecturer till 2002. Since then, she has been working as a Scientific Researcher at the Space Research Institute, King Abdel Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).Prof. Al Saud has been involved in several research fields including physical geography, geological assessment, use of space techniques to identify and detect terrain features, natural hazards, with a special emphasis on floods and mass movement, geophysical surveys, hydrological and morphometric analysis, water resources assessment, and the use of geo-information systems.As per her experience in different scientific applications, Prof. Al Saud coordinated several research projects in many regions of Saudi Arabia, namely: flood risk assessment and mapping, investigating seismic hazards, magnetic sounding, desert studies including sand dunes, their evolution and characteristics; identification of natural risk-prone areas, mapping drainage systems and their hydrological properties, positioning of dams and water harvesting; in addition to many other applications where satellite images (e.g., Landsat, Aster, Radarsat, etc.) were used. These scientific applications and outputs were substantially contributed in water resources management and controlling the natural risks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Prof. Al Saud is a member of many regional and international societies, such as the Society of Water Sciences and Technologies, the American Geography Society, the Saudi Geography Society, etc. She has been also awarded several prizes and honorariums, such as (but not limited to) the Honor Award from the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, the Award of Access to Water from the International Institute for Water (from the Environment and Health (GIWEH) United Nations Office at Geneva), and the Award of Great Women of the 21st Century from the American Biographical Institute.
In addition to her teaching experience since 1985, Prof. Al Saud has published more than hundred scientific documents, including about fifty articles in Peer-reviewed International journals, and the rest were published as books, scientific reports, research studies, in addition to the production of series of thematic maps.