assessment of current desertification status using imdpa and determination of effective factors of land degradation (case study: damghan region)

combating desertification which is a serious threat for the environment and human welfare requires understanding complex issues of this phenomenon using evaluation, awareness of severity of it's processes and determination of it's factors. so here, after recognizing the characteristics of the region showing existence desertification, we assess its current status with emphasis on climate, water, geology-geomorphology, soil and wind erosion as the most criteria of desertification. according to more consensus on regional model or flexible model to modify, iranian model for desertification potential assessment (imdpa) ,which is calibrated to use in arid area of iran, was chosen. at first the rainfall seasonality indicator was added to the model as a special climate character. then primary assessment of desertification was done. at last according to the result of primary assessment, the area environmental conditions and revealed issues during assessment the model was modified, final assessment and mapping of desertification were done. at last according to the result of primary assessment, the area environmental conditions and revealed issues during assessment the model was modified, final assessment and mapping of desertification were done. based on the results desertification intensity in 33/94% and 66/06% of the area are severe and moderate respectively. also the major factors affecting desertification across damghan region are climate, salinization of water and soil resources, improper land use, over exploitation of underground water, over grazing and improper irrigation method.