Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Deforestation effects on soil properties and erosion: a case study in the central Rif, Morocco

Year 2022, Volume: 11 Issue: 4, 275 - 283, 01.10.2022
https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1098600

Abstract

In the Central Rif in the north of Morocco, forest ecosystems have suffered a very sharp decline in favor of crops. Deforestation followed by cultivation illustrates the important environmental, economic and social roles of forests. The objective of this work is to assess the impact of deforestation on soil properties and erosion in the southern Central Rif. The loss of fertility of cleared soils was assessed using physico-chemical analyses after 2, 8 and 20 years of cultivation. A manual rainfall simulation was used to assess the impact of cultivation on the hydrodynamic behavior of the soil. The results show that the conversion of forests into agricultural areas has multiple consequences on the natural system. The general trend of soil texture elements after cultivation shows a significant increase in sand content, and a decrease in clay and silt content. Soil erodibility measured by USLE-K factor increased 3.5 times in the cultivated soil for 20 yrs. compared to the forest soil. Subsequent tillage of cultivated land increases bulk density and fragments large aggregates into smaller ones. Cultivation for 8 and 20 yr decreased SOM by 41 and 82% respectively. Total Nitrogen decreased by 45%, acidity increased by 0.8 unit after 20 years of cultivation. Conversion of natural forest to agricultural land significantly increases soil erosion. The erosion rate becomes higher in the cultivated the 8 and 20 yr cultivation, with an average of 219.60 ± 19.3 and 989.17 ± 68.4 g m-2 h-1 respectively. This degradation hinders agricultural productivity, leading farmers to abandon the land and seek new plots at the expense of forests to meet their agricultural land needs.

References

  • Al Karkouri, J., Laouina, A., Roose, E., Sabir, M., 2000. Capacité d'infiltration et risques d'érosion des sols dans la vallée des Béni Boufrah-Rif central (Maroc). Bulletin - Réseau Erosion 20: 342-356. [in French].
  • Arrebei, N., Sabir, M., Naimi, M., Chikhaoui, M., Raclot, D., 2020. Assessment of Soil Erosion with RUSLE 3D and USPED in the Nekor Watershed (Northern Morocco). Open Journal of Soil Science 10(12): 631–642.
  • Assefa, D., Rewald, B., Sandén, H., Rosinger, C., Abiyu, A., Yitaferu, B., Godbold, D.L., 2017. Deforestation and land use strongly effect soil organic carbon and nitrogen stock in Northwest Ethiopia. Catena 153: 89–99.
  • Assefa, F., Elias, E., Soromessa, T., Ayele, G.T., 2020. Effect of changes in land-use management practices on soil physicochemical properties in Kabe Watershed, Ethiopia. Air, Soil and Water Research 13: 1-16.
  • Benabid, A., 2000. Flore et écosystèmes du Maroc: évaluation et préservation de la biodiversité. Librairie et éditions Kalila Wa Dimna. 359p. [in French].
  • Bensalah, N., Sabir, M., Roose, E., Laouina, A., 2012. Indicateurs des risques de ruissellement et d’érosion en vue d’une gestion durable des eaux et sols: (Bassin versant de Bouregreg, Maroc). In: Agro-ressources et écosystèmes: Enjeux sociétaux et pratiques managériales. Christophe, B., Pérez, R. (Eds.). Presses universitaires du Septentrion, pp.205-221. [in French].
  • Bonneau, M, Souchier, B., et coll., 1979. Pédologie; 2, Constituants et propriétés du sol, Paris, Masson. 459p. [in French].
  • Bremner, J.M., 1965. Nitrogen availability indexes. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 Chemical and Microbiological Properties, 9.2. Norman, A.G. (Ed.). American Society of Agronomy, Inc.. Madison, Wisconsin. pp.1324–1345.
  • Brown, L.R., 1984. The global loss of topsoil. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 39(3): 162-165.
  • Celik, I., 2005. Land-use effects on organic matter and physical properties of soil in a southern Mediterranean highland of Turkey. Soil and Tillage Research 83(2): 270–277.
  • Chouvy, P.A., 2020. Le kif, l’avenir du Rif ? Variété de pays, terroir, labellisation, atouts d’une future légalisation. Belgeo 1, 1–18. [in French].
  • Demolon, A., 1960. Principes d’agronomie. T. l. Dynamique du sol. [in French].
  • Eekhout, J.P.C., de Vente, J., 2022. Global impact of climate change on soil erosion and potential for adaptation through soil conservation. Earth-Science Reviews 226: 103921.
  • El Mazi, M., Hmamouchi, M., Houari, A., 2021. Impact de l’évolution de l’utilisation des terres sur la dégradation des ressources en sols dans le Rif Central méridional, Maroc. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires 9(4): 567–572. [in French].
  • FAO, 1989. Evaluation des terres pour l’agriculture irriguée: Directives. Bulletin pédagogique de la FAO No.55.
  • Francos, M., Úbeda, X., Pereira, P., 2019. Impact of torrential rainfall and salvage logging on post-wildfire soil properties in NE Iberian Peninsula. Catena 177: 210–218.
  • Giovannini, G., Lucchesi, S., 1997. Modifications induced in soil physico-chemical parameters by experimental fires at different intensities. Soil Science 162(7): 479–486.
  • Grovel, R., 1996. La préservation des forêts du Rif centro-occidental: un enjeu de développement de la montagne rifaine. Revue de Géographie Alpine 84(4): 75–94. [in French].
  • Gülser, C., Ekberli, İ., Gülser, F., 2021. Effects of deforestation on soil properties and organic carbon stock of a hillslope position land in Black Sea Region of Turkey. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 10(4): 278–284.
  • HCEFLC, 2004. Rapport sur les Incendies de Forêts au Maroc. [in French].
  • Kassa, H., Dondeyne, S., Poesen, J., Frankl, A., Nyssen, J., 2017. Impact of deforestation on soil fertility, soil carbon and nitrogen stocks: the case of the Gacheb catchment in the White Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 247: 273–282.
  • Kavian, A., Azmoodeh, A., Solaimani, K., 2014. Deforestation effects on soil properties, runoff and erosion in northern Iran. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 7(5): 1941–1950.
  • Khormali, F., Ajami, M., Ayoubi, S., Srinivasarao, C., Wani, S.P., 2009. Role of deforestation and hillslope position on soil quality attributes of loess-derived soils in Golestan province, Iran. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 134(3–4): 178–189.
  • Laghrour, M., Moussadek, R., Mrabet, R., Dahan, R., El-Mourid, M., Zouahri, A., Mekkaoui, M., 2016. Long and midterm effect of conservation agriculture on soil properties in dry areas of Morocco. Applied and Environmental Soil Science Article ID 6345765.
  • Laouina, A., Chaker, M., Aderghal., M., Machouri, N., 2013. Échelles d’évaluation de la dynamique et de la gestion des terres, du territoire social au bassin-versant expérimental. Publication de l’association de Recherche En Gestion Durable Des Terres « ARGOT», CERGéo, pp.118–145. [in French].
  • Le Bissonnais, Y., 1996. Aggregate stability and assessment of soil crustability and erodibility: I. Theory and methodology. European Journal of Soil Science 47(1): 425-437.
  • Lu, D., Moran, E., Mausel, P., 2002. Linking amazonian secondary succession forest growth to soil properties. Land Degradation and Development 13(4): 331–343.
  • Martinez-Mena, M., Lopez, J., Almagro, M., Boix-Fayos, C., Albaladejo, J., 2008. Effect of water erosion and cultivation on the soil carbon stock in a semiarid area of South-East Spain. Soil and Tillage Research 99(1): 119–129.
  • Materechera, S.A., Mkhabela, T.S., 2001. Influence of land-use on properties of a ferralitic soil under low external input farming in southeastern Swaziland. Soil and Tillage Research 62(1–2): 15–25.
  • Maurer, G., 1968. Les montagnes du Rif central : Etude géomorphologique. Mohamed 5, Rabat. 499p. [in French].
  • Moussadek, R., Mrabet, R., Zante, P., Lamachére, J.M., Pépin, Y., Le Bissonnais, Y., Ye, L., Verdoodt, A., van Ranst, E., 2011. Impact of tillage and residue management on the soil properties and water erosion of a Mediterranean Vertisol. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 91(4): 627–635.
  • Norton, S., Kahl, J., Fernandez, I., Haines, T., Rustad, L., Nodvin, S., Scofield, J., Strickland, T., Erickson, H., Wigington, P., Lee, J., 1999. The Bear Brook Watershed, Maine (BBWM), USA. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 55(1): 7–51.
  • Nunes, A., Figueiredo, A., Almeida, A., 2012. The effects of farmland abandonment and plant succession on soil properties and erosion processes: a study case in centre of Portugal. Journal of Geography and Spatial Planning 2: 165-190.
  • Oldeman, L.R., 1994. The Global Extent of Soil Degradation. In: Soil Resilience and Sustainable Landuse. Greenland, D.J., Szabolcs, I. (Eds.). CAB International, Wallingford. pp. 99–119.
  • Olorunfemi, I.E., Fasinmirin, J.T., Akinola, F.F., 2018. Soil physico-chemical properties and fertility status of long-term land use and cover changes: A case study in forest vegetative zone of Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 7(2): 133–150.
  • Olsen, S.R., Cole, C.V., Watanabe, F.S., Dean, L.A., 1954. Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Circular No 939, USA, 19p.
  • Parton, W.J., Schimel, D.S., Cole, C.V., Ojima, D.S., 1987. Analysis of factors controlling soil organic matter levels in great plains grasslands. Soil Science Society of America Journal 51(5): 1173–1179.
  • Roose E., Smolikowski, B., 1997. Comparaison de trois techniques de mesure de l'infiltration sur fortes pentes: monocylindre et 2 simulateurs de pluies. Application à un versant de la vallée de Godim au Cap Vert. Bulletin - Réseau Erosion 17: 282–296. [in French].
  • Roose, E., 1985. Impact du défrichement sur la dégradation des sols tropicaux. Machinisme Agricole Tropical 87: 24-36. [in French].
  • Sabir, M., Barthès, B., Roose, E., 2004. Recherche d'indicateurs des risques de ruissellement et d'érosion sur les principaux sols des montagnes méditerranéennes du Rif occidental (Maroc). Secheresse 15(1): 105–110. [in French].
  • Tribak, A., 2020. Erosion and flooding risks in the marly basins of the eastern Prerif Mountains (Morocco): A response to exceptional climate events or to anthropogenic pressure. Revista de Estudios Andaluces 40: 159–182.
  • Unger, P.W., 1997. Management-induced aggregation and organic carbon concentrations in the surface layer of a Torrertic paleustoll. Soil and Tillage Research 42(3): 185–208.
  • Veldkamp, E., Schmidt, M., Powers, J.S., Corre, M.D., 2020. Deforestation and reforestation impacts on soils in the tropics. Nature Reviews Earth and Environment 1(11): 590–605.
  • Walkley, A., Black, I.A., 1934. An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37(1): 29-38.
  • Whalen, J.K., Chang, C., 2002. Macroaggregate characteristics in cultivated soils after 25 annual manure applications. Soil Science Society of America Journal 66(5): 1637–1647.
  • Zaher, H., Zouhri, M., Benjelloun, H., Chikhaoui, M., Naimi, M., Sabir, M., 2021. Impact du changement de l’occupation des sols sur l’érosion hydrique et le comportement hydrologique des sols: Cas du bassin Tleta au nord-ouest du Maroc. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires 9(4): 643-650. [in French].
Year 2022, Volume: 11 Issue: 4, 275 - 283, 01.10.2022
https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1098600

Abstract

References

  • Al Karkouri, J., Laouina, A., Roose, E., Sabir, M., 2000. Capacité d'infiltration et risques d'érosion des sols dans la vallée des Béni Boufrah-Rif central (Maroc). Bulletin - Réseau Erosion 20: 342-356. [in French].
  • Arrebei, N., Sabir, M., Naimi, M., Chikhaoui, M., Raclot, D., 2020. Assessment of Soil Erosion with RUSLE 3D and USPED in the Nekor Watershed (Northern Morocco). Open Journal of Soil Science 10(12): 631–642.
  • Assefa, D., Rewald, B., Sandén, H., Rosinger, C., Abiyu, A., Yitaferu, B., Godbold, D.L., 2017. Deforestation and land use strongly effect soil organic carbon and nitrogen stock in Northwest Ethiopia. Catena 153: 89–99.
  • Assefa, F., Elias, E., Soromessa, T., Ayele, G.T., 2020. Effect of changes in land-use management practices on soil physicochemical properties in Kabe Watershed, Ethiopia. Air, Soil and Water Research 13: 1-16.
  • Benabid, A., 2000. Flore et écosystèmes du Maroc: évaluation et préservation de la biodiversité. Librairie et éditions Kalila Wa Dimna. 359p. [in French].
  • Bensalah, N., Sabir, M., Roose, E., Laouina, A., 2012. Indicateurs des risques de ruissellement et d’érosion en vue d’une gestion durable des eaux et sols: (Bassin versant de Bouregreg, Maroc). In: Agro-ressources et écosystèmes: Enjeux sociétaux et pratiques managériales. Christophe, B., Pérez, R. (Eds.). Presses universitaires du Septentrion, pp.205-221. [in French].
  • Bonneau, M, Souchier, B., et coll., 1979. Pédologie; 2, Constituants et propriétés du sol, Paris, Masson. 459p. [in French].
  • Bremner, J.M., 1965. Nitrogen availability indexes. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 Chemical and Microbiological Properties, 9.2. Norman, A.G. (Ed.). American Society of Agronomy, Inc.. Madison, Wisconsin. pp.1324–1345.
  • Brown, L.R., 1984. The global loss of topsoil. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 39(3): 162-165.
  • Celik, I., 2005. Land-use effects on organic matter and physical properties of soil in a southern Mediterranean highland of Turkey. Soil and Tillage Research 83(2): 270–277.
  • Chouvy, P.A., 2020. Le kif, l’avenir du Rif ? Variété de pays, terroir, labellisation, atouts d’une future légalisation. Belgeo 1, 1–18. [in French].
  • Demolon, A., 1960. Principes d’agronomie. T. l. Dynamique du sol. [in French].
  • Eekhout, J.P.C., de Vente, J., 2022. Global impact of climate change on soil erosion and potential for adaptation through soil conservation. Earth-Science Reviews 226: 103921.
  • El Mazi, M., Hmamouchi, M., Houari, A., 2021. Impact de l’évolution de l’utilisation des terres sur la dégradation des ressources en sols dans le Rif Central méridional, Maroc. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires 9(4): 567–572. [in French].
  • FAO, 1989. Evaluation des terres pour l’agriculture irriguée: Directives. Bulletin pédagogique de la FAO No.55.
  • Francos, M., Úbeda, X., Pereira, P., 2019. Impact of torrential rainfall and salvage logging on post-wildfire soil properties in NE Iberian Peninsula. Catena 177: 210–218.
  • Giovannini, G., Lucchesi, S., 1997. Modifications induced in soil physico-chemical parameters by experimental fires at different intensities. Soil Science 162(7): 479–486.
  • Grovel, R., 1996. La préservation des forêts du Rif centro-occidental: un enjeu de développement de la montagne rifaine. Revue de Géographie Alpine 84(4): 75–94. [in French].
  • Gülser, C., Ekberli, İ., Gülser, F., 2021. Effects of deforestation on soil properties and organic carbon stock of a hillslope position land in Black Sea Region of Turkey. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 10(4): 278–284.
  • HCEFLC, 2004. Rapport sur les Incendies de Forêts au Maroc. [in French].
  • Kassa, H., Dondeyne, S., Poesen, J., Frankl, A., Nyssen, J., 2017. Impact of deforestation on soil fertility, soil carbon and nitrogen stocks: the case of the Gacheb catchment in the White Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 247: 273–282.
  • Kavian, A., Azmoodeh, A., Solaimani, K., 2014. Deforestation effects on soil properties, runoff and erosion in northern Iran. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 7(5): 1941–1950.
  • Khormali, F., Ajami, M., Ayoubi, S., Srinivasarao, C., Wani, S.P., 2009. Role of deforestation and hillslope position on soil quality attributes of loess-derived soils in Golestan province, Iran. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 134(3–4): 178–189.
  • Laghrour, M., Moussadek, R., Mrabet, R., Dahan, R., El-Mourid, M., Zouahri, A., Mekkaoui, M., 2016. Long and midterm effect of conservation agriculture on soil properties in dry areas of Morocco. Applied and Environmental Soil Science Article ID 6345765.
  • Laouina, A., Chaker, M., Aderghal., M., Machouri, N., 2013. Échelles d’évaluation de la dynamique et de la gestion des terres, du territoire social au bassin-versant expérimental. Publication de l’association de Recherche En Gestion Durable Des Terres « ARGOT», CERGéo, pp.118–145. [in French].
  • Le Bissonnais, Y., 1996. Aggregate stability and assessment of soil crustability and erodibility: I. Theory and methodology. European Journal of Soil Science 47(1): 425-437.
  • Lu, D., Moran, E., Mausel, P., 2002. Linking amazonian secondary succession forest growth to soil properties. Land Degradation and Development 13(4): 331–343.
  • Martinez-Mena, M., Lopez, J., Almagro, M., Boix-Fayos, C., Albaladejo, J., 2008. Effect of water erosion and cultivation on the soil carbon stock in a semiarid area of South-East Spain. Soil and Tillage Research 99(1): 119–129.
  • Materechera, S.A., Mkhabela, T.S., 2001. Influence of land-use on properties of a ferralitic soil under low external input farming in southeastern Swaziland. Soil and Tillage Research 62(1–2): 15–25.
  • Maurer, G., 1968. Les montagnes du Rif central : Etude géomorphologique. Mohamed 5, Rabat. 499p. [in French].
  • Moussadek, R., Mrabet, R., Zante, P., Lamachére, J.M., Pépin, Y., Le Bissonnais, Y., Ye, L., Verdoodt, A., van Ranst, E., 2011. Impact of tillage and residue management on the soil properties and water erosion of a Mediterranean Vertisol. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 91(4): 627–635.
  • Norton, S., Kahl, J., Fernandez, I., Haines, T., Rustad, L., Nodvin, S., Scofield, J., Strickland, T., Erickson, H., Wigington, P., Lee, J., 1999. The Bear Brook Watershed, Maine (BBWM), USA. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 55(1): 7–51.
  • Nunes, A., Figueiredo, A., Almeida, A., 2012. The effects of farmland abandonment and plant succession on soil properties and erosion processes: a study case in centre of Portugal. Journal of Geography and Spatial Planning 2: 165-190.
  • Oldeman, L.R., 1994. The Global Extent of Soil Degradation. In: Soil Resilience and Sustainable Landuse. Greenland, D.J., Szabolcs, I. (Eds.). CAB International, Wallingford. pp. 99–119.
  • Olorunfemi, I.E., Fasinmirin, J.T., Akinola, F.F., 2018. Soil physico-chemical properties and fertility status of long-term land use and cover changes: A case study in forest vegetative zone of Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 7(2): 133–150.
  • Olsen, S.R., Cole, C.V., Watanabe, F.S., Dean, L.A., 1954. Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Circular No 939, USA, 19p.
  • Parton, W.J., Schimel, D.S., Cole, C.V., Ojima, D.S., 1987. Analysis of factors controlling soil organic matter levels in great plains grasslands. Soil Science Society of America Journal 51(5): 1173–1179.
  • Roose E., Smolikowski, B., 1997. Comparaison de trois techniques de mesure de l'infiltration sur fortes pentes: monocylindre et 2 simulateurs de pluies. Application à un versant de la vallée de Godim au Cap Vert. Bulletin - Réseau Erosion 17: 282–296. [in French].
  • Roose, E., 1985. Impact du défrichement sur la dégradation des sols tropicaux. Machinisme Agricole Tropical 87: 24-36. [in French].
  • Sabir, M., Barthès, B., Roose, E., 2004. Recherche d'indicateurs des risques de ruissellement et d'érosion sur les principaux sols des montagnes méditerranéennes du Rif occidental (Maroc). Secheresse 15(1): 105–110. [in French].
  • Tribak, A., 2020. Erosion and flooding risks in the marly basins of the eastern Prerif Mountains (Morocco): A response to exceptional climate events or to anthropogenic pressure. Revista de Estudios Andaluces 40: 159–182.
  • Unger, P.W., 1997. Management-induced aggregation and organic carbon concentrations in the surface layer of a Torrertic paleustoll. Soil and Tillage Research 42(3): 185–208.
  • Veldkamp, E., Schmidt, M., Powers, J.S., Corre, M.D., 2020. Deforestation and reforestation impacts on soils in the tropics. Nature Reviews Earth and Environment 1(11): 590–605.
  • Walkley, A., Black, I.A., 1934. An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37(1): 29-38.
  • Whalen, J.K., Chang, C., 2002. Macroaggregate characteristics in cultivated soils after 25 annual manure applications. Soil Science Society of America Journal 66(5): 1637–1647.
  • Zaher, H., Zouhri, M., Benjelloun, H., Chikhaoui, M., Naimi, M., Sabir, M., 2021. Impact du changement de l’occupation des sols sur l’érosion hydrique et le comportement hydrologique des sols: Cas du bassin Tleta au nord-ouest du Maroc. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires 9(4): 643-650. [in French].
There are 46 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Mohamed El Mazi This is me 0000-0001-8606-2525

Mostafa Hmamouchi This is me 0000-0001-7851-9185

Er-riyahi Saber This is me 0000-0001-5442-5280

Soumaya Bouchantouf This is me 0000-0003-2360-618X

Abdelghani Houari This is me 0000-0002-7037-584X

Publication Date October 1, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2022 Volume: 11 Issue: 4

Cite

APA El Mazi, M., Hmamouchi, M., Saber, E.-r., Bouchantouf, S., et al. (2022). Deforestation effects on soil properties and erosion: a case study in the central Rif, Morocco. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 11(4), 275-283. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1098600