Karst landscape and hydrology in Morocco: research trends and perspectives

Abstract

Moroccan karst has been the subject of study over the last two decades as a system, where landforms interact with groundwater, springs and human action. The literature review gone through in this article focuses on international publications, including French journals. It shows the complexity of the karst area and its local model diversity. The regimes of the aquifers, landforms and springs were reported in most mountain terrains and the local interactions between the karst aquifer, karst springs, landforms and human action were discussed. Even the Rif Mountain presents some karst aspects, mainly in its central part, the Atlas domain is more dominated by karst. The substrate types, tectonics, altimetry, climate, and vegetation roles are important in karst dynamics. Human factors impact the landscapes and the equilibrium of the hydrokarst system via resources overuse and management. Indicators of the present-day disequilibrium were evoked (turbidity of water in karst springs, geotechnical problems, erosion of the soil, etc.). These problems will be more complex in the future due to the human density increase and probable intense human activity in the rural areas. Sustainable management is therefore a challenging priority in the karst domain.

Future projections of High Atlas snowpack and runoff under climate change

“…More snow may also mean more opportunity for infiltration and aquifer recharge (Hssaisoune et al, 2020). It should be noted that karstic areas are also quite frequent within the Oum-Er-Rbia watershed (Akdim, 2015), with important implications for infiltration, aquifer and spring regimes in our study area. Compared to surface runoff, groundwater remains a small fraction of water use in the Oum-Er-Rbia basin (< 15 %) and even less of available renewable water since aquifers are largely overdrawn (Hssaisoune et al, 2020).…”

Effects of Underground Pore Fissures on Soil Erosion and Sediment Yield on Karst Slopes

“…(Zhang et al, ). The underground system often communicates with the surface via major ponors, fissures and tectonic discontinuities (Akdim, ). Relevant studies also proved this, that is, most rainfall water was transported to underground through limestone fissures and fractures.…”

Modern surface pollen assemblages from the Middle and High Atlas, Morocco: insights into pollen representation and transport

“…-The High Atlas study site (TIS) is located in the vicinity of Lake Tislit on the Plateau des Lacs, 4 km north of Imichil. Lake Tislit, located at 32° 11'N, 5° 38'W, 2250 m a.s.l., is one of two large lakes of contested karstic/meteor impact origin (Ibhi et al 2013;Chaabout et al 2013;Akdim 2015) lying west of the larger Lake Isli. It has an area of approximately 0.75 km 2 and a depth of 16 m. Mean annual precipitation recorded at nearby Imilchil is reported to be on the order of 244 mm to 319mm with very high inter-annual variability (Peyron 1980;Lamb et al 1994).…”

“…It is one of the largest and highest altitude (2,080 m.a.s.l.) lakes in the Middle Atlas, located towards the southeastern limits of the mountain range (Akdim 2015). Data from the weather station at the site for 1971-2010 indicate a mean annual precipitation of 415 mm and mean annual temperature of 10.4°C, with average temperatures of the coldest and warmest months (Jan, Aug) of 2.5°C and 19.7°C, respectively (Sayad et al 2011).…”

“…Available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/00173134. 2015.1108996 Author's Accepted Manuscript -Bell & Fletcher (2016. Modern surface pollen assemblages from the Middle and High Atlas, Morocco: Insights into pollen representation and transport.…”