Assessment of the Erosion and Outflow Intensity in the Rif Region under Different Land Use and Land Cover Scenarios

Abdessalam Ouallali, Shuraik Kader (), Youssef Bammou, Mourad Aqnouy, Said Courba, Mohamed Beroho, Hamza Briak, Velibor Spalevic, Alban Kuriqi () and Artan Hysa
Additional contact information
Abdessalam Ouallali: Process Engineering and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, BP 146, Mohammedia 28806, Morocco
Shuraik Kader: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
Youssef Bammou: Geo-Resources, Geo-Environment and Civil Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Techniques of Marrakech, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Mourad Aqnouy: Applied Geology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
Said Courba: Process Engineering and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, BP 146, Mohammedia 28806, Morocco
Mohamed Beroho: Georisk & Georesources (G2R) Research Team, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Tangier (FST), Abdelmalek Essaadi University (UAE), Tangier 90000, Morocco
Hamza Briak: Center of Excellence for Soil and Fertilizer Research in Africa (CESFRA), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), 660 Lot, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
Velibor Spalevic: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Montenegro, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
Alban Kuriqi: CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal
Artan Hysa: Faculty of Architecture and Engineering, Epoka University, 1032 Tirana, Albania

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: The port of Tangier Med is essential due to its strategic location, as it is an important trading center linking Europe, North America, and Africa. However, the increased rates of downstream sediment transportation put pressure on the sustainable future of the port. Thus, assessing the existing erosion rates and future improvement scenarios is imperative for planning sustainable management at the catchment level. We utilize the Erosion Potential Model (EPM) combined with the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) algorithm to assess the erosion and outflow intensity and to distinguish the sediment-producing areas in the R’mel watershed. The port’s proximity at the bottom of the slope opposite the R’mel Dam is relevant in this context. Initial results show an average erosion rate of 13 t/ha/year. Quarry operations were identified as the primary sediment source, as indicated by the factors contributing to erosion. The qualitative PAP/RAC (Priority Actions Program/Regional Activity Center) model was used to assess the development trends in the watershed, confirming a clear tendency toward irreversible degradation in the quarry areas. Considering that the mined carbonate lithology represents 23.77% of the total area of the catchment, the situation in the region could deteriorate if quarry operations continue. The simulation of quarry rehabilitation scenarios through land use and land cover change (LULC) with IntErO shows that reforestation of quarries can significantly reduce erosion rates (4.78 t/ha/year) compared to their conversion to agricultural land. This study underlines the effectiveness of IntErO, based on the EPM model, in quickly and effectively mapping and quantifying water erosion.

Keywords: Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) algorithm; Erosion Potential Model (EPM); quarry operations; reforestation; R’mel watershed (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/2/141/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/2/141/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:2:p:141-:d:1326916

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().