The impact of intensive agricultural exploitation on groundwater resources in arid and semi-arid areas: the case of the Tafrata Plain in Northeastern Morocco
Abstract
Groundwater is a major source of water supply for domestic and agricultural purposes, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, changes in groundwater levels in the Tafrata Plain in the Guercif Basin, located in eastern Morocco, were tracked by measuring and analyzing the evolution of the water depths of wells and boreholes through official statistics and fieldwork. The results showed a significant and continuous decline in groundwater levels throughout the study area, with varying degrees of variation.
The agricultural transformations and the annual increase in irrigated areas at the expense of fallow and pasture lands, along with the accompanying well-drilling campaigns to pump water, reflect an unprecedented trend toward irrigated agricultural investment. However, the negative impact of agricultural modernization operations in the Tafrata Plain on water resources quickly became apparent.
This alarming situation is the result of the ongoing overexploitation and unsustainable management of limited vital water resources, particularly by the agricultural sector. This critical situation has also pushed the region into a water crisis. To mitigate the effects of groundwater depletion, it is recommended to rationalize groundwater use through effective measures, primarily related to promoting sustainable development in agricultural activity. Future research should focus on developing integrated water management strategies and adaptive agricultural practices tailored to the Tafrata Plain.
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References
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