Integration of Sentinel2 Data into a GIS System for the Mapping of Areas at Risk of Degradation by Applying the MEDALUS Model – Case of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah Watershed (Morocco)

Abstract

Located in the central northwest of Morocco, the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah dam watershed is particularly exposed to soil degradation risk due to a combination of factors such as wide exposure, lithological heterogeneity, and varying climatic conditions. Therefore, the purpose of the conducted study was to create a spatial map of the areas most susceptible to degradation using the MEDALUS (Method for the Evaluation of the Degree of Soil Loss Susceptibility) model to pinpoint the areas that are most vulnerable to the risk of erosion. The MEDALUS model is a commonly used tool for assessing soil degradation and erosion risks. It takes into account physical, climatic, and land use factors to determine the susceptibility of an area to soil loss. To apply the model to the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah dam watershed, the data on factors such as slope, soil type, vegetation cover, and precipitation would be collected, and this information would be used to generate a map of the areas at greatest risk of erosion. This map could then be used to prioritize conservation and management efforts in the watershed and identify the areas that require additional protection or restoration. The map of erosion sensitivity is produced by combining factors that contribute to the phenomenon, such as vegetation cover, climate, relief, pedology, and human intervention. Cross-referencing these factors in a GIS (geographic information system) allows generating an erosion sensitivity map that highlights the most vulnerable areas to this hazard in the region.

Keywords

• medalus
• erosion
• gis
• sidi mohamed ben abdellah
• sentinel2