ISSN : 2663-2187

Climatic and anthropogenic impacts on the water dynamics of Lake Abkhane (Moroccan Middle Atlas)

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El -Houssaine Bahouar, Mrabet Loubna, , Loukili. A, El Hassan Abba
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.15.2024.12451-12467

Abstract

In recent decades, Morocco's recurrent drought and changes in land use practices have strongly influenced the country's wetlands and have had a significant impact on the availability and abundance of water resources. The present study aims to highlight the impact of climate change and the anthropogenic effect on Lake Abkhane. The methodology applied consists, first, in using free hydrological modelling tools (Water Observations from Space), calculating drought indices, particularly the Standardized Precipitation Index, the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index and the Palmer Drought Severity Index, then, in a second step, to map land cover and monitor the evolution of the surface area of Lake Abkhane between 2015 and 2023 using Sentinel-2 Level 1C images. The results obtained show a strong fluctuation in annual rainfall, characterized by peaks recorded in 2006, 2010 and 2018, followed by a notable regression from 2018 onwards. Similarly, droughts coincide with a significant decrease in the surface area of the lake. The extension of irrigated areas near the lake, linked to hydrovorous arboriculture, has strongly affected the dynamics and regenerative capacity of the lake's waters. This study emphasizes the urgent need for water management authorities to intervene to counter the negative effects of climate change and human activity on this wetland.

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