Adapting to Climate Change through Improved Watershed Management and Payment for Environmental Services in Morocco's Tensift Basin
Morocco's growing urban population is placing a strain on the country's limited water supply. With greater demand for water in agriculture, industry, and tourism, the country must identify new approaches to managing this resource. This research project will offer evidence-based strategic guidance to direct integrated water resource management. The Tensift Basin in central Morocco originates in the Atlas Mountains, flowing into the Haouz Plain, and onward to the Atlantic Ocean. The semi-arid mountainous zone is home to 3 million people, one-third of whom reside in the city of Marrakesh. The remaining residents live in smaller towns and rural areas. Demand for water to satisfy their growing needs is increasing, while supply is constrained by sedimentation of dams and overexploitation of groundwater resources. Other problems, such as ecosystem degradation and climate change impacts, are compromising water quality and availability, increasing the risk of droughts and floods in the watershed. Given these pressures, this project seeks to inform changes to the current approach to integrated water resources management. The objective is to increase people's capacity to adapt to environmental changes. L'École nationale forestière d'ingénieurs, based in Salé, Morocco, will lead a multidisciplinary research team. It will assess challenges to water availability and watershed management in the Tensift Basin, including biophysical, ecological, climatic, and socio-economic. It will use models to estimate future water resource patterns to see who is most vulnerable and which sectors are most exposed. Based on its analysis, the team will work with stakeholders to consider potential adaptation options. One option is to offer payment for environmental services to encourage upstream communities to safeguard important ecological functions. This approach will help ensure water supply and prevent flood risk for downstream water users. This project will equip government, local civil society organizations, and communities with a better understanding of the factors affecting socio-economic and biophysical vulnerability in the watershed. Researchers will work closely with communities, including women's groups, to explore options for improving watershed management. Together, they will develop a strategic plan based on findings and stakeholder priorities that will include adaptation priorities within integrated water resource management. The team will also share results at national and international conferences, combined with publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Project ID
107644
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
36 months
IDRC Officer
Sandra Gagnon
Total Funding
CA$ 645,951.00
Location
Morocco
Programs
Climate Change
Climate Change
Institution Country
Morocco
Project Leader
Dr. Abdellatif Khattabi
Institution
Association Marocaine des Sciences Régionales
Institution Website
Institution Country
Canada
Project Leader
Prof. Diane Pruneau
Institution
Université de Moncton
Institution Website
Outputs
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Impact of land use and vegetation cover on risks of erosion in the Ourika Watershed (Morocco) Article
Results of mapping demonstrated significant erosion in the Ourika watershed. Soil loss below the tolerance level (<7 t/ha/year) represented only 4% of the area. The objective was to map the risks of water erosion using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and GIS, and highlight the role of land use and vegetation cover in regulation for risks of erosion. Dense forests, moderately dense forests and arboriculture not mixed with cereal growing protected the soil against erosion, improved physical and chemical soil characteristics, facilitated the infiltration of water into the soil, and limited runoff and the risk of erosion. Author(s): Modeste, Meliho, Abdellatif, Khattabi, Nadia, Mhammdi, Zhang, Hongming Language: English |
Etat du couvert végétal et propositions de restauration des écosystèmes forestiers : commune rurale Setti Fadma Dossiers
Author(s): Nduwayo, Etienne, El Mahraz, Oumaima Language: French |
Propositions de correction des ravins : commune rurale d'Ourika Dossiers
Author(s): Salhi, Aimen, Essoussi, Iheb Language: French |
Adaptation au changement climatique dans le bassin versant de Tensift par une gestion intégrée des ressources en eau et le paiement pour les services environnementaux (GIREPSE) : affiche Matériels de formation
Author(s): Khattabi, Abdelatif Language: French |
L'adaptation au changement climatique dans le bassin de Tensift au Maroc par une gestion améliorée du bassin versant et le paiement pour les services environnementaux - rapport final Rapports
Le défi que le présent projet de recherche a essayé de relever est de trouver des pistes pour repenser la GIRE dans un contexte du changement climatique, tout en prenant en considération le maintien de la production des biens et services environnementaux. Ceci ne pourra se réaliser qu’à travers des actions permettant de prendre en considération la donne climatique et les instruments basés sur le marché (e.g. le Paiement pour les Services Environnementaux (PSE)) dans les politiques de gestion de l’eau. Author(s): Adidi, Abdelaziz, Babqiqi, Abdelaziz, Bennis, Abdelhadi, Benchad, Abdelmoughit, Zine El Abidine, Abdenbi, El Hassani, Ahmed, Legrouri, Ahmed, Ouhammou, Ahmed, Harrad, Asmae, Lamzah, Assia, Belghazi, Bakhiyi, El Jay, Boutaina, Moudoud, Brahim, Pruneau, Diane, Driouech, Fatima, Langis, Joanne, El Harrouni, Khalid, El Rhazi, Khalid, Rhazi, Laila, Matah, Manar, Behnassi, Mohamed, Sabir, Mohamed, Tafraouti, Mohamed, Yacoubi Khebiza, Mohamed, Messouli, Mohammed, Lamrani Alaoui, Mostafa, Mhamdi, Nadia, Tazi, Ouadiaa, Eddelani, Oumhani, Lahssini, Said, Fahd, Soumaya, Badi, Wafa Language: French |
Restauration des écosystèmes forestiers : etat du couvert végétal et propositions d’interventions de restauration : commune rurale Oukaimeden Dossiers
Author(s): Nduwayo, Etienne, El Mahraz, Oumaima Language: French |
Etat du couvert végétal et propositions de restauration des écosystèmes forestiers : commune rurale Ourika Dossiers
Author(s): Nduwayo, Etienne, El Mahraz, Oumaima Language: French |
Correction des ravins au niveau de la commune rurale d'Oukaimden : etat des lieux et propositions de restauration Dossiers
Author(s): Salhi, Aimen, Essoussi, Iheb Language: French |
Etat des lieux de la correction des ravins et propositions de restauration : commune rural Setti Fadma Dossiers
Author(s): Salhi, Aimen, Essoussi, Iheb Language: French |
Pensée design pour le développement durable : applications de la démarche en milieux scolaire, académique et communautaire Dossiers
Author(s): Pruneau, Diane, El Jai, Boutaina, Dionne, Liliane, Louis, Natacha, Potvin, Patrice Language: French |