Qualitative Assessment of Water Erosion by Applying the PAP-CAR Model to the ‎Upstream Port of Tangier Med

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to assess water erosion by utilizing the PAP/CAR model to categorize the degree of erosion in the Tangier-Med port upstream area within the Mediterranean basin. The PAP/CAR model is known for its efficiency in identifying erosion factors and degrees, and its results have proven to be of significant importance.

Methods: The study utilizes the PAP/CAR model, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to evaluate erosion in the Mediterranean basins. Various databases containing factors and variables such as slope, foothill exposure, vegetation, etc., are integrated into geographic information systems (GIS) to generate maps illustrating the likelihood of erosion occurrence. GIS is employed to design maps of variables in order to generate thematic maps swiftly and effectively. This is followed by result extraction and analysis.

Results: The study successfully identifies irreversible areas of strong erosion, estimated at approximately 21% of the total area. Furthermore, it defines intervention areas, accounting for around 58% of the study area, where mitigation and corrective measures can be applied.

Conclusions: Urgent intervention is imperative to mitigate the risk of water erosion, considered among the most challenging natural hazards jeopardizing resources and infrastructure, with far-reaching social and economic implications for the inhabitants of such areas. Protective measures must be implemented, such as setting up barriers to protect the threatened foothills and creating programs aimed at regulating the use of natural resources in the region.