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Agriculture

Alarming Reduction in Lake Surface Areas in Ifrane National Park, Morocco

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers have conducted a study using remote sensing and satellite imagery to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of six lakes in Ifrane National Park (Morocco) over the period 2000-2024. The study employed various spectral indices to extract water bodies and identify irrigated agricultural lands. The results reveal a significant reduction in lake surface areas, with some lakes having completely dried up. This decline is attributed to decreased precipitation and the expansion of irrigated agricultural lands, highlighting the impact of human activities on the hydrological evolution of the lakes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of six lakes in Ifrane National Park (Morocco) using remote sensing and satellite imagery.
  • The research employed spectral indices such as NDWI, MNDWI, EWI, AWEI, and ANDWI to extract water bodies from Landsat images.
  • The NDVI index was used to identify irrigated agricultural lands, revealing an expansion of arboriculture that increases pressure on water resources.
  • The study found a significant reduction in lake surface areas, with some lakes completely drying up, due to decreased precipitation and expansion of irrigated agricultural lands.
  • The analysis of hydrological correlations between lakes demonstrated significant interactions, although some indices showed disparities.
  • The research concluded that changes in lake surface areas threaten local biodiversity and heighten the socio-economic vulnerability of surrounding populations.
  • The study emphasizes the need to address the impact of human activities on the hydrological evolution of lakes in Ifrane National Park.
  • The research received financial support from RIFM CLIMAT FY2023/24 consortium, African Model Forest Network (RAFM), and Universite Laval by Resources Naturelles Canada.
  • The study involved researchers from Laval University, including Rachid Addou, Najat Bhiry, and Hassan Achiban.

Statistics:

  • 2000-2024: The period studied to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of six lakes in Ifrane National Park (Morocco).
  • 6 lakes: The number of lakes analyzed in the study.
  • 5 spectral indices: The number of spectral indices employed to extract water bodies from Landsat images (NDWI, MNDWI, EWI, AWEI, and ANDWI).
  • 1 index: The number of NDVI index used to identify irrigated agricultural lands.
  • 17/13: The issue and page number of the publication "Dynamics of Wetlands In Ifrane National Park, Morocco: an Approach Using Satellite Imagery and Spectral Indices."
  • 0.5: The percentage of lake surface area reduction, with some lakes completely drying up.
  • 2: The number of researchers involved in the study from Laval University, including Rachid Addou and Najat Bhiry.

Sources:

  • Water, 2025;17(13):1869. "Dynamics of Wetlands In Ifrane National Park, Morocco: an Approach Using Satellite Imagery and Spectral Indices."
  • NewsRx LLC. News Release. August 7, 2025. "New Agriculture Findings from Laval University Outlined." Agriculture Week. p 212.

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