Environmental characteristics, landscape history and pressures on three coastal lagoons in the Southern Mediterranean Region: Merja Zerga (Morocco), Ghar El Melh (Tunisia) and Lake Manzala (Egypt)

Ayache, F.; Thompson, J. R.; Flower, Roger J.; Boujarra, A.; Rouatbi, F.; Makina, H.

doi:10.1007/s10750-008-9676-6

Cited by 82 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 65 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Merja Zerga occurs on the Atlantic coast whilst the other two sites are on the Southern Mediterranean coast. Despite declining environmental quality, all sites nevertheless retain ecological significance including aquatic vegetation, fisheries and birds (see Ayache et al, 2009). A series of secondary sites were identified which, although not monitored, provided context for the primary sites; they were Sidi Bou Ghaba and Lagune de Nador (Morocco), Lac de Korba and Halk El Menzel (Tunisia), Lake Bardawil and Lake Qarun (Egypt).…”

Section: Site Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of integrated hydro-ecological studies in the MELMARINA Project: monitoring and modelling coastal lagoons—making management tools for aquatic resources in North Africa

Flower

Thompson

2008

Hydrobiologia

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

As landscape disturbance and climate conspire to accelerate global environmental change towards unprecedented levels in the twenty-first century, the populated coastal regions of many countries are facing major threats to sustainability. Coastal water resources are particularly vulnerable in dry regions. In view of the expected severity of future environmental change in the Southern Mediterranean Region, the European Commission supported an integrated multidisciplinary project, MELMARINA, on monitoring and modelling coastal lagoons in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. This is a region where water management for people and for agriculture has been intense particularly during the twentieth century, yet long-term environmental monitoring and management of wetland ecosystems are under developed. Not only are biodiversity aspects at risk in coastal lagoons and wetlands but the goods and services that affect human welfare are also generally in decline. Co-ordinated hydro-ecological monitoring at key wetland lagoons was begun in 2003 with a view to establishing environmental baselines and calibrating site-specified hydro-ecological models. This article introduces the project and its results that range from lagoon typification and hydro-ecology to the application of hydro-ecological models. Detailed results and evaluations are presented in a linked series of themed scientific articles within this special issue. The present condition of the lagoons investigated essentially results from various hydrological modifications combined with eutrophication problems, yet all still remain valuable aquatic ecosystems. Adequate monitoring data are an essential part of reliable predictive modelling and, despite several data gaps, nutrient load reduction scenarios were undertaken to help target restoration aims. Implementation of aspects of the EU Water Framework Directive for achieving good ecological status of transitional waters is advocated. Nevertheless, as the twenty-first century advances the effects of global climate change are expected to amplify current stresses making intervention restoration and adaptation management even more imperative. Long-term sustainability depends upon detecting and measuring environmental change (long-term water quality and ecological quality) and incorporating the results into appropriate hydro-ecological models to facilitate the development of appropriate management initiatives.

show abstract

Section: Site Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of integrated hydro-ecological studies in the MELMARINA Project: monitoring and modelling coastal lagoons—making management tools for aquatic resources in North Africa

Flower

Thompson

2008

Hydrobiologia

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The sea-level rise not only changes the coastline, but also influences the hydrological functions of coastal systems, such as groundwater flow, runoff and water quality (Gornitz et al 1982, Day 1992, Sahagian 2000, Ayache et al 2009). Its impact is similar to that of reduced flows in surface networks and in aquifers.…”

Section: Groundwater Salinitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of precipitation and deep saline groundwater on the hydrological systems of Mediterranean coastal plains: a general overview

Ré

Zuppi

2011

Hydrological Sciences Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The increasing water demand is a concern affecting many regions in the Mediterranean Basin. To overcome this situation rim countries resorted during the last decades to a massive mobilization of their water resources, often resulting in excessive water exploitation. In such a context, understanding the effects of present recharge and aquifer salinization is crucial for correct water management. Understanding the present hydrogeological situation of coastal plains requires the knowledge of both their past morphologic conditions and their recent geological evolution. Within this framework, this paper presents a review of water related problems in the Mediterranean Basin. It suggests a conceptual model for groundwater resources in Mediterranean coastal plains, deriving from the present and past recharge processes. Special attention is paid to providing a better understanding of climate change impacts on water quantity and quality, and conservation of ecological diversity.Key words Mediterranean Basin; precipitation; present recharge; palaeoenvironment; palaeohydrology Influence des précipitations et des eaux salines profondes sur les systèmes hydrologiques des plaines côtières Méditerranéennes: un aperçu général Résumé La demande croissante en eau est un problème qui intéresse de nombreuses régions dans le bassin méditer-ranéen. Pour remédier à cette situation, les pays riverains ont fait appel à une mobilisation massive des ressources en eau, ce qui a souvent entraîné sa surexploitation. Dans cette situation, la compréhension de la recharge actuelle et de la salinisation des aquifères est cruciale pour une gestion correcte des ressources. Comprendre la situation hydrogéologique actuelle des plaines côtières nécessite la connaissance de leurs conditions morphologiques anciennes et de leurs évolutions géologiques récentes. Dans ce cadre, cette note présente une revue des problèmes liés à l'eau dans le bassin méditerranéen. Il est proposé un modèle conceptuel pour les eaux souterraines dans les plaines côtières de la Méditerranée, modèle s'appuyant sur les processus actuels et anciens de recharge de ces aquifères. Une attention particulière est accordée à une meilleure compréhension des impacts du changement climatique sur la quantité, la qualité des eaux, et la préservation de la diversité écologique.

show abstract

“…Impacts including accelerated coastal erosion, reduced silt deposition and marine incursions have been widely attributed to changes in the natural fl ow of water and sediment within the Nile (e.g. Stanley and Warne 1993;Frihy 1996;El-Raey 1997;Ayache et al 2009). Stanley (1996) argued that sediment is eroded from the riverbed and banks downstream of the dam, and then transported downstream.…”

Section: Human Infl Uences On Sediment Dynamics In Wetlandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrological Dynamics I: Surface Waters, Flood and Sediment Dynamics

Baker

Thompson

Simpson

2009

The Wetlands Handbook

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Environmental characteristics, landscape history and pressures on three coastal lagoons in the Southern Mediterranean Region: Merja Zerga (Morocco), Ghar El Melh (Tunisia) and Lake Manzala (Egypt)

Cited by 82 publications

References 65 publications

An overview of integrated hydro-ecological studies in the MELMARINA Project: monitoring and modelling coastal lagoons—making management tools for aquatic resources in North Africa

An overview of integrated hydro-ecological studies in the MELMARINA Project: monitoring and modelling coastal lagoons—making management tools for aquatic resources in North Africa

Influence of precipitation and deep saline groundwater on the hydrological systems of Mediterranean coastal plains: a general overview

Hydrological Dynamics I: Surface Waters, Flood and Sediment Dynamics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About