Mapping Sensitivity to Land Degradation in the Wadi El Abid Watershed: A MEDALUS-Based Assessmentl

Abstract

Soil degradation represents one of the main environmental challenges in the Oued El Abid watershed, Morocco. The sensitivity to land degradation was assessed using the MEDALUS methodology integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Four indices, namely climate, soil, vegetation and management, were combined to produce a global sensitivity index. The results indicate that more than 60% of the basin exhibits vulnerability ranging from “fragile” to “critical,” mainly due to drought conditions, low vegetation cover and anthropogenic pressures. This integrated approach provides an effective tool for mapping and promoting sustainable land management in sensitive areas.