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Environmental Earth Sciences
Published in: Environmental Earth Sciences 18/2020

01-09-2020 | Original Article

Soil erosion assessment in a semi-arid environment: a case study from the Argana Corridor, Morocco

Authors: Latifa Bou-imajjane, Mhamed Alaeddine Belfoul, Racha Elkadiri, Martin Stokes

Published in: Environmental Earth Sciences | Issue 18/2020

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Abstract

Soil erosion is a widespread problem that continues to expand in magnitude and scope due to ever-changing anthropogenic and climatic conditions. The High Atlas Mountains in Morocco are a typical case where this problem affects the ecological and socioeconomic activities of the region. The main objective of this study is to provide an erosion risk analysis of the Argana Corridor in the High Atlas of Morocco using GIS, Remote Sensing and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The erosion assessment is based on various controlling factors including climate, topography, vegetation cover, soil erodibility and soil conservation practices. Findings indicate that the study area is subjected to significant erosion, reaching an average annual soil loss rate of 47.52 t/ha/year, and an annual erosion amount of 5,233,840 tons. Collectively, the methodology and results provide a decision support system for stakeholders in the region, and a framework for studies in data-scarce regions.
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Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Soil erosion assessment in a semi-arid environment: a case study from the Argana Corridor, Morocco
Authors
Latifa Bou-imajjane
Mhamed Alaeddine Belfoul
Racha Elkadiri
Martin Stokes
Publication date
01-09-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Environmental Earth Sciences / Issue 18/2020
Print ISSN: 1866-6280
Electronic ISSN: 1866-6299
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-09127-8

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