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Mapping of soil sensitivity to water erosion by RUSLE model: case of the Inaouene watershed (Northeast Morocco)

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Abstract

The sources of land degradation in many watersheds are runoff and erosion. In order to delay this degradation resulting in the loss of soil fertility, a system for its quantification needs to be established. Erosion severely impacts our natural capital and requires several studies and prevention and management steps. This research focuses on validating the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) method through evidence from remote sensing (RS) and the Geographic Information System (GIS) in the watershed of the Inaouene river upstream of the Idriss 1st dam in the Taza region (northeast of Morocco). In this context, the approach adopted was performed, consists in combining the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) to quantify erosion and GIS to spatialize the factors responsible for water erosion and soil loss (climate, soil, vegetation, and topography) GIS to produce a map of erosion risk. The results achieved show that the Inaouene watershed is characterized by an average climatic aggressiveness, a sparse vegetation cover without any safeguards, moderate to high erodible soils with a maximum ranging from 50 to 150 t/h/year. Topography characterized by high (50%) to moderately broken reliefs. The human intervention remains the most mattering factor in the embrittlement and the accentuation of the soils vulnerability for erosion for every dominant natural factor. The results of this study could be of use in prioritizing areas for soil conservation measures and watershed development and management. It is a tool for decision-makers, planners, and decision-makers in soil and water conservation decision-making to implement anti-erosion strategies to reduce the impact of erosion.

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Abbreviations

USLE::

universal soil loss equation

GIS::

Geographical Information Systems

DEM:

digital elevation model

t/ha/year:

tonne/hectare/year

FAO:

Food and Agricultural Organization

P:

precipitation

Fig:

figure

Tab:

table

DTM:

digital terrain model

QGIS:

Quantum GIS

Avg:

average

SW:

sub-watershed

%:

percentage

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Acknowledgments

The study team thanks the efforts of King Khalid University in financing this applied research and providing all the facilities (laboratories, hardware, and software) in the College of Engineering. In addition, special thanks to Civil Engineering Department where this applied research work achieved. Finally, thanks again to Deanship of Scientific Research in King Khalid University to continue to support scientific research until it becomes among the best universities locally and internationally. Within the framework of small research projects given by the Deanship of Scientific Research the grant number is 123.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, BP11201, Zitoune, PC-50000, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco

    Benzougagh Brahim

  2. Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Sarita Gajbhiye Meshram

  3. Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Sarita Gajbhiye Meshram

  4. Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Department of Geology, Natural Resource Laboratory Environments and Sustainable Developments (RNE2D), Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez City, Morocco

    Dridri Abdallah

  5. Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geology, University Mohammed V, Rabat City, Morocco

    Boudad Larbi

  6. Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University Abdelmalek Essaadi, Tetouan City, Morocco

    Sadkaoui Drisss

  7. Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Water Sciences and Environment Engineering Team, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes City, Morocco

    Mimich Khalid

  8. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia

    Khaled Mohamed Khedher

  9. Department of Civil Engineering, High Institute of Technological Studies, Mrezgua University Campus, Nabeul, 8000, Tunisia

    Khaled Mohamed Khedher

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  1. Benzougagh Brahim
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  2. Sarita Gajbhiye Meshram
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  3. Dridri Abdallah
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  4. Boudad Larbi
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  5. Sadkaoui Drisss
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  6. Mimich Khalid
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  7. Khaled Mohamed Khedher
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Correspondence to Sarita Gajbhiye Meshram.

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The ethical issues, including plagiarism, informed consent, misconduct, data fabrication and/or falsification, double publication and/or submission, and redundancy, have been completely observed by the authors.

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Brahim, B., Meshram, S.G., Abdallah, D. et al. Mapping of soil sensitivity to water erosion by RUSLE model: case of the Inaouene watershed (Northeast Morocco). Arab J Geosci 13, 1153 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06079-y

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