A long-term record of land use change impacts on sediments in Oualidia lagoon, Morocco

Taxonomic diversity and structure of the molluscan fauna in Oualidia lagoon (Moroccan Atlantic coast)

“…The salinity values of Oualidia lagoon waters were lower than those recorded in Nador lagoon (Mediterranean lagoon) byMaanan et al (2014a, b).…”

“…The dominant 40 11 39 41 10 13 30 5 20 17 15 24 12 28 19 18 27 22 23 35 36 14 26 9 29 16 21 4 25 8 31 2 3 6 1 7 43 33 42 32 34 37 and Cerastoderma edule, while Haminoea japonica and Abra alba were moderately abundant in this community. The low abundance and number of species can be explained by the very poor water quality of this part due to the uncontrolled discharge of domestic urban waste and sewage into the lagoon (Maanan et al 2014a, b;Zourarah et al 2007). Deposit feeders dominated this community (45 % of individuals and 50 % of species) (Fig.…”

“…It offers important social and economic activities due to the practice of traditional fisheries, including fish and molluscs. Oualidia lagoon supports many aspects of the lives of local people, such as economic, cultural, and community relationships (Maanan et al 2014a, b). Different land uses around the lagoon and its watershed produce various kinds of pollution, all of which can affect the lagoon (Hassou et al 2014;Hennani et al 2012).…”

“…Different land uses around the lagoon and its watershed produce various kinds of pollution, all of which can affect the lagoon (Hassou et al 2014;Hennani et al 2012). Polluting and non-polluting human activities have been established in the region, various marine activities, such as boating, bathing, and camping, have increased, and rapid urbanization has occurred in recent years (Maanan et al 2014a, b).…”

“…The diversity and abundance of species are largely dependent upon the estuarine processes and mix of habitats present in the lagoon. The relative distribution of riparian, transitional, tidal marsh, mudflat, sandflat, flood tidal shoals, and sub-tidal channel habitats, at any given time, is determined by the physical morphology relative to the tidal elevations inside the lagoon (Maanan et al 2014a, b;Zourarah et al 2007). In Moroccan Atlantic coast, tides and wind-generated waves are the dominant (natural) processes governing the morphological developments (Kalloul et al, 2012).…”