Developping an optimal soil and water quality monitoring network for the Triffa irrigated perimeter (Eastern of Morocco)
(2014) PhD Day ENVITAM — Location: Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgique) (5.March.2014)
Files
No attached file found for this publication.
Details
- Authors
- Abstract
- In Morocco, the irrigated areas play a key role as real centers for agricultural and rural development, both at local and regional level. Thus, the irrigated agriculture contributes to about 45% on average of the agricultural value added. However, it is noted that the water and soil of different irrigated areas are excessively exploited and threatened by different degradation problems. In this study, we aim to design an advanced methodology allowing to monitor soil and water quality in the irrigated perimeter of Triffa. The study area is the most fertile and productive agricultural region of north-east Morocco.The surface area of the plain rises to 61 000 ha of which 36 060 ha are irrigated. The climate is warm semi-arid. The mean annual rainfall in 28 years is 331 mm. The mean annual temperature is 17.2 ◦C. Recognized by the quality of its clementine, the Triffa plain experienced during the last decade a large and rapid expansion of irrigated areas mainly citrus through improved irrigation. Recent studies have shown that in this region, soil and water resources are under pressure due to salinization and groundwater nitrate pollution. The degradation of soil and water resources is largely caused by the increased use of agrochemicals, such as nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides, and the lack of control of irrigation and drainage of the plots. The protection and the preservation of these resources are top priority necessities, particularly in arid zones. We first aim to identify robust indicators of soil and groundwater degradation. These indicators should be able to measure the different functions and services provided by the soil and water system. Subsequently, we will design a spatial network allowing to evaluate the state of the soil and water resource. We will use geostatistical and GIS tools to optimize the monitoring network. This study is undertaken within the framework of a CUD-PIC project, aiming to develop tools for the management of water and soils resources in the irrigated perimeter of Morocco.
- Affiliations
Citations
Andich, K., Vanclooster, M., Soudi, B., Javaux, M., & Sbaa, M. (2014). Developping an optimal soil and water quality monitoring network for the Triffa irrigated perimeter (Eastern of Morocco). In Lambot Sébastien (ed.), Proceedings (p. p. 22). https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/200650