Statistical analysis of long-term precipitation in the Maghreb reveals significant changes in timing and intensity

Salhi, Adil; Benabdelouahab, Sara; Martín‐Vide, Javier

doi:10.1007/s00704-022-04236-9

“…The average temperature ranges between 13 and 26 °C, with the highest temperatures typically occurring in July and August 25 , 26 . The region receives most of its precipitation in the winter months, with an average annual precipitation of 600 mm 27 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Salhi

¹

,

Hasnaoui

²

,

Pérez‐Cutillas

³

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Land degradation and soil erosion are becoming increasingly problematic in Africa's rapidly developing urban areas, particularly in Major Port Cities. Uncontrolled expansion and human pressures are hindering planning, adaptation, and conservation efforts. To understand the extent of these issues, this study combined morphometric analysis, soil loss calculation, field monitoring, and remote sensing and GIS tools to assess soil erosion in the Metropolis of Tangier (Morocco) located at the confluence of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean at the Strait of Gibraltar. The study relied on data from 13 rain gauge stations, official reports, and remote sensing acquisitions, as well as field observations. Results showed an average soil erosion rate of 24.2 t/ha/year, equivalent to an annual soil loss of 588,051 t/year. This high rate was largely due to areas with a high erosion risk (99.8%), covering only 8.3% of the territory, which were characterized by recently burned topsoil, fallow land, and steep slopes. These areas included both uncontrolled neighbourhoods and areas for planned urban and industrial expansion, posing a threat to the landscape's sustainability and socio-economic prospects. The morphometric analysis revealed its high vulnerability to erosion and degradation, with the highest soil loss rates observed in the eastern and western regions. The study also found that flash floods caused by hydroclimatic hazards can lead to significant damage to infrastructure and equipment, particularly in western sub-basins and mountainous regions. In conclusion, the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies provided valuable insights into the physical characteristics and vulnerability of the Tangier Metropolis to land degradation and soil erosion. These findings emphasize the need for effective land management practices and conservation measures to mitigate the impacts of land degradation and soil erosion in the face of climate change. This information is crucial for decision-makers and stakeholders to develop strategies to address these pressing issues.

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“…Furthermore, intense storms' impact on the already friable soils and steep slopes is characterized by violent concentrated precipitations and torrents. These factors make the study area highly susceptible to soil detachment and erosion 16,25,27 . Moreover, the in uence of long drought periods leads to reduced vegetation cover and soil moisture, further increasing the vulnerability of the soil to erosion during subsequent rainfall events 26,47,53 .…”

Section: Field Assessment and Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The data comes from 13 rainfall stations in and adjacent to the study area which are well described in two recent papers 25,27 , reports from the geological service of Morocco, the soil fertility map of Morocco (Fertimap) produced by the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA), and the analysis of remote sensing data (SRTM V3 and the annual average of Landsat 8 acquisitions from 2020,which were processed using Google Earth Engine, with a spatial resolution of 30 meters). R-factor is the susceptibility to cause erosion by precipitation and runoff which can lead to the uprooting of small parts of soil.…”

Section: Soil Loss Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Secondly, the potential human and material damage resulting from unregulated and hasty expansion of construction, combined with the structural characteristics of these districts, is severe. Finally, the narrow morphology of the sub-basins and the short and narrow streams, along with sudden concentrated precipitation 16,27 , result in drainage systems unable to delay the arrival of ows to the low areas of the downtown. Consequently, strategic infrastructure along the course and downstream is at high risk of damage.…”

Section: Physical Characteristics and Susceptibility Of Sub-basins To...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Soil Erosion and Hydroclimatic Hazards in Major African Port Cities : The Case Study of Tangier

Salhi

¹

,

Hasnaoui

²

,

Pérez‐Cutillas

³

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Land degradation and soil erosion are becoming increasingly problematic in Africa's rapidly developing urban areas, particularly in Major Port Cities. Uncontrolled expansion and human pressures are hindering planning, adaptation, and conservation efforts. To understand the extent of these issues, this study combined morphometric analysis, soil loss calculation, field monitoring, and remote sensing and GIS tools to assess soil erosion in the Metropolis of Tangier (Morocco) located at the confluence of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean at the Strait of Gibraltar. The study relied on data from 13 rain gauge stations, official reports, and remote sensing acquisitions, as well as field observations. Results showed an average soil erosion rate of 24.2 t/ha/year, equivalent to an annual soil loss of 588,051 t/year. This high rate was largely due to areas with a high erosion risk (99.8%), covering only 8.3% of the territory, which were characterized by recently burned topsoil, fallow land, and steep slopes. These areas included both uncontrolled neighbourhoods and areas for planned urban and industrial expansion, posing a threat to the landscape's sustainability and socio-economic prospects. The morphometric analysis revealed its high vulnerability to erosion and degradation, with the highest soil loss rates observed in the eastern and western regions. The study also found that flash floods caused by hydroclimatic hazards can lead to significant damage to infrastructure and equipment, particularly in western sub-basins and mountainous regions. In conclusion, the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies provided valuable insights into the physical characteristics and vulnerability of the Tangier Metropolis to land degradation and soil erosion. These findings emphasize the need for effective land management practices and conservation measures to mitigate the impacts of land degradation and soil erosion in the face of climate change. This information is crucial for decision-makers and stakeholders to develop strategies to address these pressing issues.

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“…Recurring droughts across the worldwide, and especially in the Mediterranean region over the recent decades, have been responsible for significant socioeconomic and ecological consequences [ 4 ]. Climate change could exacerbate these problems by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts, heat waves, and cyclones being experienced today [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Alternative Substrate for Tomato Production in Arid Zone: Lesson from Growth, Water Relations, Chlorophyll Fluorescence, and Photosynthesis

Aydi

¹

,

Aydi

²

,

Marsit

³

et al. 2023

Plants

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Soilless culture is considered the mostpromising, intensive, and sustainable approach with various advantages for plant production in terms of saving water and nutrients. It can provide consumers with sufficient and high-quality food. However, the commonly used growing substrate for soilless cultivation, coconut fiber (CF), is usually imported and expensive or even unavailable. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of local organic farm resources substrates on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plant growth, water relations, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and phytochemical analysis of fruits in a hydroponics culture system. Two growth substrates were evaluated: date-palm waste composted with animal manure (7:3 w/w) (DPAM) and date-palm trunk compost (DPT). CF and local soil were utilized as positive and negative controls, respectively, in randomized blocks. The results revealed that DPAM substrate enhanced plant growth and physiology: shoot development, leaves tissues hydration, and photosynthetic parameters, as well as chlorophyll fluorescence. However, DPT and CF improved fruit quality: water, mineral, sugar, and protein content. The antioxidant activity of the fruit extract was the greater in DPAM, reaching 13.8 mg GAEg−1 DW. This value wasdecreased in soil by 40%. Photosynthesis activity was the most important in DPAM with 12 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1, and only 6.4 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1 in the soil condition. However, regarding the non-photochemical quenching, the dissipated light energy was greater in soil (0.096 ± 0.02) than in DPAM (0.025 ± 0.04). Date-palm waste-based substrates improved tomato vegetative growth and fruit quality as compared to soil-based culture. Date-palm waste-based substrates supplemented with manure appear to be promising and less expensive alternatives to the coconut fiber substrate extensively used in soilless crops in North Africa.

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Statistical analysis of long-term precipitation in the Maghreb reveals significant changes in timing and intensity

Cited by 17 publications

References 46 publications

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

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

Soil Erosion and Hydroclimatic Hazards in Major African Port Cities : The Case Study of Tangier

Optimizing Alternative Substrate for Tomato Production in Arid Zone: Lesson from Growth, Water Relations, Chlorophyll Fluorescence, and Photosynthesis

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