Impact of watershed management practices on vegetation, land use changes, and soil erosion in River Basins of the Atlas, Morocco

Authors

  • Nadia ENNAJI Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Polydisciplinary, Laboratory of Space, History, Dynamic and Development, 35000 Taza (MA)
  • Hasan OUAKHIR Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, 23000 Beni Mellal (MA)
  • Mohammed ABAHROUR Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Polydisciplinary, Laboratory of Space, History, Dynamic and Development, 35000 Taza (MA)
  • Velibor SPALEVIC University of Montenegro, Biotechnical Faculty, 81000 Podgorica; University of Montenegro, Philosophy, Geography Department, 81400 Niksic (ME)
  • Branislav DUDIC Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Management, 81499 Bratislava; University Business Academy, Faculty of Economics and Engineering Management, 21000 Novi Sad (SK)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha52113567

Keywords:

catchments, IntErO, land use, Morocco, soil erosion, vegetation cover

Abstract

Soil erosion, a land degradation process triggered by natural and anthropogenic factors, seriously impacts landscapes and water resources. The influence of vegetation cover and land use changes on intensity of soil erosion of two catchments in mountainous regions of Morocco is evident, as it alters hydrologic response and sediment dynamics. This research aims to analyze the interactions among plants, soil, geology, meteorology, and orography, assessing soil erosion responses using the process-oriented IntErO model - Erosion Potential Method to determine erosion rates. The obtained results indicate that the Tiguert river basin experiences higher soil losses (Ggod = 5184.47 m³/god) and soil losses per square kilometre (Ggod/km² = 508.28 m³/km² god) compared to the Wanmroud catchment (Ggod = 2555.66 m³/god, Ggod/km² = 381.44 m³/km² god), confirming the theory that areas with denser and more effective vegetation cover experience lower soil erosion rates. Furthermore, the Wanmroud basin exhibits a more regular shape and lower watershed development coefficient, implying lower human impact. This study has shown the relationships between land use changes, vegetation cover, and soil erosion dynamics, offering valuable insights for sustainable land management practices in mountainous regions of Morocco.

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Published

2024-03-29

How to Cite

ENNAJI, N., OUAKHIR, H., ABAHROUR, M., SPALEVIC, V., & DUDIC, B. (2024). Impact of watershed management practices on vegetation, land use changes, and soil erosion in River Basins of the Atlas, Morocco. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 52(1), 13567. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha52113567

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Research Articles
CITATION
DOI: 10.15835/nbha52113567

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Copyright (c) 2024 Nadia ENNAJI, Hasan OUAKHIR, Mohammed ABAHROUR, Velibor SPALEVIC, Branislav DUDIC

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