Comparative Analysis of Runoff Diversion Systems on Terraces and Glacis in Semi-Arid Landscapes of Spain and Tunisia

Ghaleb Fansa-Saleh (), Alejandro J. Pérez Cueva and Emilio Iranzo-García
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Ghaleb Fansa-Saleh: Department of Geography, Universitat de València, Avenida Blasco Ibañez 28, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Alejandro J. Pérez Cueva: Department of Geography, Universitat de València, Avenida Blasco Ibañez 28, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Emilio Iranzo-García: Cátedra de Participación Ciudadana y Paisajes Valencianos, Department of Geography, Universitat de València, Avenida Blasco Ibañez 28, 46010 Valencia, Spain

Geographies, 2025, vol. 5, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: This study explores the water harvesting systems of mgouds in southern Tunisia and boqueras in southeastern Spain to understand their adaptation to semi-arid conditions and geomorphic contexts. These systems use ephemeral water through medieval-origin infrastructures to increase the water supply to rainfed crops. The hypothesis is that the diversity of these systems stems from environmental rather than cultural factors. By employing a qualitative–analytical approach, this study compares concentrated runoff diversion systems to investigate the use of boqueras / mgouds in terraces and glacis in the arid and semi-arid areas of Tunisia and the southeastern Iberian Peninsula. The research involved performing detailed geomorphological and climatological analyses and comparing structural complexities and water management strategies across different regions. The results indicate significant variability in system size and complexity. Tunisian mgouds are typically simpler and more individualised, while Spanish boqueras are larger and more complex due to more frequent and intense torrential rainfall. No common patterns were identified between the two regions. This study reveals that both types of systems reflect sophisticated adaptations to manage water scarcity and mitigate the impacts of intense rainfall, with geomorphic and climatic factors playing a decisive role. The primary conclusion is that the design and functionality of these water systems are predominantly influenced by environmental conditions rather than cultural factors. This research provides insights for developing sustainable water management strategies in other semi-arid regions.

Keywords: concentrated runoff diversion; turbid water irrigation; mgoud (Tunisia); boquera (Spain); water harvesting; traditional irrigation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q15 Q5 Q53 Q54 Q56 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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