Spatial patterns of environmental degradation and demographic changes in the Mediterranean fringes

Abstract

Environmental and climatic factors contribute to the range of causes of increased socioecological conflicts, especially in the transcontinental transition areas. However, knowledge of the precise extent and patterns of environmental change driving social and migratory mutations in these areas is still quite limited. This article shows that the Mediterranean transition fringe will undergo climatic-environmental degradation except from four scattered areas of abundance which are likely to be more affected by human activity by 2050. Through an integral socioecological approach, it was found that long droughts are likely to alternate with sporadic intense storms with an impact on the loss of biodiversity, degradation of biocultural heritage, and reduction of ecosystem services. Forced migration trends towards areas of abundance have been identified according to particularly stressful divergent flows at European borders (Turkey and Morocco). The need for increased international cooperation and cross-cultural exchange is foreseen to identify and address common challenges.

Soil erosion and hydroclimatic hazards in major African port cities: the case study of Tangier

“…In light of recent climatic constraints, urgent development needs, and significant risks posed by recurring damages 5 , 7 , 64 , 65 , the research findings emphasize the identification of structural weaknesses and consider it crucial to prioritize the hydraulic modeling of drainage channels to ensure proper and implementation of appropriate and cost-effective measures at the earliest prospect.…”

“…Field monitoring and remote sensing analysis have provided valuable insights into the hydroclimatic hazards within the study region. Severe flash floods have been observed in the upstream areas of the western sub-basins (such as Msaben, Mlaleh, and Mghougha), as well as in the mountainous regions of Jbel Kebir (northwest) and Dar Z'hiro (south), known for their high sediment loads 5 , 16 . In contrast, downstream areas are more susceptible to flooding.…”

“…The latter is driven by multiple anthropogenic activities, and climate drivers 3 . It is an increasingly concerning issue, particularly in fast-growing emerging cities, where rapid urbanization and uncontrolled expansion have resulted in significant alterations to hydrologic processes and negative socioecological implications 4 , 5 .…”

The downstream impact of the first and second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

“…1). The latter is a powerful and transversal open tool to assess climate change anomalies and their relationship with multiple anthropogenic and environmental factors (Salhi et al, 2022b). The evolution of the reservoirs surface of the three riparian countries main dams between January 2016 and December 2021 was calculated by ltering the collection of Sentinel-2 images (10 m resolution)…”

“…The close connection between water and geopolitics arises throughout history when water scarcity becomes a security issue and a matter of existence (Salhi et al, 2022b). Each state reveals and argues its point of view and defends its interests to the end.…”