Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Water-Regulating Ecosystem Services Values in Morocco’s Protected Areas: A Case Study of Ifrane National Park

Oumayma Sadgui (), Abdellatif Khattabi and Zouhir Dichane
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Oumayma Sadgui: Applied Economics and Social Sciences in Agriculture, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat 10 101, BP, Morocco
Abdellatif Khattabi: National School of Forestry Engineering, Salé 11 000, BP, Morocco
Zouhir Dichane: Geoengineering and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 11 201, BP, Morocco

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Water-Regulating Ecosystem Services (WRES) play a crucial role in maintaining water quality and preventing soil erosion, particularly in watershed areas that are vulnerable to Land Use Land Cover Changes (LULCC) and climate change. This study focuses on the Upper Beht Watershed, the most ecologically significant basin of the Ifrane National Park (INP). The main objective is to understand how WRES values respond to the challenges posed by grasslands degradation, agricultural intensification, and urban expansion before and after the park’s creation. In this research, we first analyzed historical Land Use Land Cover (LULC) data from 1992 to 2022 using Google Earth Engine platform. We then employed the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST 3.10.2) models to quantify and map the impacts of ongoing LULCC on the watershed’s capacity to retain sediments and nutrients. Finally, we used the damage costs avoided method for economic assessment of WRES. Our findings demonstrate a notable improvement in the economic value of WRES following the establishment of the park, reaching USD 10,000 per year. In contrast, prior to its creation, this service experienced a decline of USD −7000 per year. This positive trend can be attributed to the expansion of forest cover in areas prioritized for reforestation and conservation interventions. The study highlights the critical importance of continuous WRES monitoring, providing park managers with robust data to advocate for sustained conservation efforts and increased investment in restoration initiatives within protected areas. Moreover, the findings can be used to raise awareness among local communities and encourage their active engagement in sustainable development initiatives.

Keywords: water-regulating ecosystem services; LULCC; sediment retention; nutrient retention; economic assessment; Ifrane national park (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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