| Year : |
2025 |
| Volume : |
71 |
| Issue : |
3 |
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| Authors : |
Mimoun GOUMIH, Velibor SPALEVIC, Hasan OUAKHIR, Mohamed KAROUAL, Rachid KHOUYAHA, Mohamed El GHACHI, Nadia ENNAJI, Mohamed RIZKI |
| Title : |
MEASUREMENT AND MODELLING OF SOIL EROSION USING THE IntErO AND GAVRILOVIC MODEL (EPM) BY USING GIS WITHIN ASSIF MELLOUL BASIN, CENTRAL HIGH ATLAS, MOROCCO |
| Abstract : |
Water erosion is a major environmental threat that contributes to soil degradation, reduced land productivity, and damage to infrastructure, particularly in mountainous and semi-arid areas. The High Atlas of Morocco represents a critical erosion hotspot, where steep slopes, heterogeneous lithology, and complex hydrological networks amplify erosion susceptibility. Despite its vulnerability, no spatially explicit erosion modelling has previously been applied to the Assif Melloul basin, making this study a novel contribution to erosion assessment in the region. This research presents the first integrated application of the IntErO and Erosion Potential Method (EPM) by using GIS techniques in this basin to quantify soil loss, identify the driving factors, and generate erosion severity maps. The methodology combines morphometric analysis, thematic factor integration (e.g., slope, rainfall erosivity, soil sensitivity, vegetation cover), and field validation. The IntErO and EPM models generated spatial maps of erosion intensity (W), supported by coefficients such as erosion dynamics (φ), threshold index (Z), and vegetation protection (Xa). Results show that nearly 90% of the basin is affected by severe to excessive erosion, with the "very severe" class covering 38%. Production of erosion material exceeds 16,000 m³/km²/year, predominantly in high-altitude, poorly vegetated zones. Furthermore, NDVI-based land cover analysis between 1991 and 2021 reveals persistent vegetation loss, with bare soil occupying 76% of the area, significantly lowering the Xa and Y factors and intensifying erosion in steep terrain. This study also conducted a correlation analysis, revealing strong relationships between soil loss and slope (r = 0.80), soil sensitivity (r = 0.80), and erosion dynamics (r = 0.80), while vegetation protection showed a moderate negative correlation (r = -0.60). These results compared with Mediterranean erosion trends but represent a new contribution through detailed risk classification maps and a validated spatial framework for erosion forecasting. As an innovative step, this study introduces a classification of soil loss rate domains, offering a novel approach to precisely delineate zones that are most vulnerable to erosion processes. The findings highlight the urgent need for adaptive soil conservation, land-use planning, and ecological restoration efforts in Morocco’s high mountain environments. |
| For citation : |
Goumih, M., Spalevic, V., Ouakhir, H., Karoual, M., Khouyaha, R., El Ghachi, M., Ennaji, N. & M., Rizki (2025). Measurement and modelling of soil erosion using the IntErO and Gavrilovic model (EPM) by using GIS within Assif Melloul Basin, Central High Atlas, Morocco. Agriculture and Forestry, 71(3), 155-188, https://doi:10.17707/AgricultForest.71.3.10 |
| Keywords : |
Soil loss rate, IntErO model, Erosion Potential Method, Vegetation cover dynamic, Assif Melloul basin, High Atlas, Morocco, GIS |
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