Soil Degradation and Desertification Risk in the Rif Mountains (Morocco): A MEDALUS-Based Spatial Assessment

Abstract

This study assesses desertification risk in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco using eight soil quality indicators within the framework of the Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use Model. The study area covers approximately 27,989 km². Landsat satellite imagery and spatial analysis using GIS were employed to process environmental data and generate soil quality indices and thematic maps. The results classify the study area into three categories based on soil resistance and sensitivity to degradation. Areas with high soil quality represent about 36% of the region and are mainly located in forested zones, showing low susceptibility to desertification. Areas with moderate soil quality account for approximately 35%, indicating moderate resistance and higher vulnerability to degradation. The remaining 29% corresponds to low soil quality areas, largely concentrated in the southern part of the region, which are highly sensitive to degradation processes that may lead to desertification. These findings provide valuable insights for land management and desertification mitigation strategies in northern Morocco.