Department of Geography.

Valahia University of Targoviste

Annals of Valahia University of Targoviste. Geographical Series
Tome 15/2015 Issues 2: 101-24
http://fsu.valahia.ro/images/avutgs/home.html

QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE HYDRIC EROSION AND THE DEPOSITION

IN A MARLY CATCHMENT OF THE EASTERN RIF
(CASE OF WADI TARMAST - MOROCCO)
Abdellatif TRIBAK1, Khalid ARARI1, Mohamed ABAHROUR1, Abdelkader
EL GAROUANI2 and Zakaria AMHANI1
1 - LAGEA-DD, FLSH - Sais, Route d'Imouzzer, BP.59, Fs, Maroc., Universit Sidi Mohamed ben
Abdellah Fs, Maroc. Tel : 212 0535618226
E-mail : tribakabdellatif@yahoo.fr - tribakabdellatif@gmail.com
2 - Facult des Sciences et Techniques de Fs, Route d'Imouzzer, BP. 2202, Fs, Maroc.
E-mail : el_garouani@yahoo.fr

Abstract
In the Moroccan Rif Mountains, hydric erosion leads to disastrous consequences for both the potential
production of land and for water resources management and pollution in downstream area. The main objective
of this study is to illustrate on the one hand, the determining of the change of space occupation, and on the
other hand, the modeling of the erosion and deposition of soils. The satellite data analysis was used to identify
the different classes of land cover (uncultivated lands and badlands, annual crops, arboriculture / Olive trees,
reforestation and forest) in the watershed of Tarmast with an area of 69.58 km2, located in the North-East of
Morocco. After mapping the spatial and temporal evolution of land use over a period of 15 years, soil losses
were estimated by the RUSLE model (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation). These spatial assessments of
soil loss were then used in a sedimentation algorithm that models the transport of these soil losses through the
river to the outfall. These spatial movements were then evaluated to estimate the net erosion and deposition
for each homogeneous basic plot of the basin. This approach, based on remote sensing data and GIS tool
allows a spatial monitoring of erosion and deposition of soil in the context of a marly watershed subject to a
strong human pressure. It is also an effective way for the localization of sediment source areas and
understanding of the interrelationships between the various parameters of the erosional processes in a
Mediterranean environment.
Keywords: Erosion, Quantification, Deposition, RUSLE, Remote Sensing, Marly land, Rif, Morocco

1. INTRODUCTION

In Morocco, soil erosion is a serious problem with its negative consequences on the
environment and the many nuisances associated with it. In addition to the reduction in arable lands,
erosion has numerous offsite effects such as dams siltation. According to the National
Development Plan catchment (MCEF 1999) erosion affects much of the territory with a total area of
large ponds close to 20 million ha. Erosion high risk areas represent 75 %; and the annual siltation
of dams is estimated at 75 million m3. In the Rif Mountains Specific impairments are among the
highest in the world (Sabir et al, 2007):
The catchment of the wadi Tarmast, located in the Moroccan pre-Rif, is subject to intense
erosive dynamics whose terms are very varied. Losses of lands are therefore enormous and
alarming. In this work, we use data from remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS)
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for the quantitative evaluation and mapping of erosion and soil deposition. The main objective of
this work is the application of the assessment models of hydric erosion (RUSLE: Revised Universal
Soil Loss Equation) and deposition (Sedimentation) of soils, in order to locate priority areas for any
development action.

Figure 1. Localization and Digital Elevation Model of the Tarmast catchment

2 - A FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT PREDISPOSED TO THE EROSION HAZARDS

With an area of 69.58 km2, the wadi Tarmast catchment is part of the Eastern Prerif in
northern Morocco. It is characterized by a rugged topography which elevations varying from 560 m
at the outfall to 1330 m at the highest point. Hills and low mountains offer irregular shaped sides of
slopes, related to the complexity of the structure and the importance of quaternary legacies. Steep
slopes dominate; those that exceed 25% occupy 42.67% of the area of the basin (Table 1). The
geological context shows a clear predominance of soft materials, mainly marl, marly limestone, or
marly sandstone, in an overthrust napped structure.
The soils derived from these geological formations belong mostly to classes of soil erosion
slightly evolved on steep slopes occupying about 70% of the basin surface. The remaining area is
occupied by calcimagnesic and vertisols on tertiary marl and marly-limestone formations that
outcrop in some hollows and depressions. Furthermore, alluvial soils develop on the terraces
bordering the water course (Tribak 2000).
Code
1
2
3

Slope Classes
Low slope <5%
Average slopes 5-15%
Steep sloopes 15-25%
Very Steep sloopes >
25%

Areas (Km)

1,97
13,28
24,64

2,83
19,08
35,41

4
29,69
42,67
69,58
100,00
Total
Table 1. Slopes classes areas in Wadi Tarmast cathcment
This inherent vulnerability of the environment is exacerbated by a marked concentration of
extreme weather events in time, supplying various erosion processes. The local climate of the
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region is characterized by strong seasonal contrasts with brutal and concentrated rains in time.
Annual averages are between 363 mm for the station of Ain Boukellal (1959-2013) and 596 mm for
the Taza station (1959-2013). The statistical study by category of daily rainfall recorded in the
station of Taza, in the period 1979-2013 shows that this region is occasionally subject to daily
maximum heights, sometimes exceeding the 100 mm threshold, and are often causing hydrological
dynamics and particularly erosive power (Tribak et al 2012).

Figure 3. Lithological formations of the Wadi

Tarmast catchment

Figure 2. Slopes of the Wadi Tarmast

catchment

Figure 4. Rates of spatial distribution of lithological formations in the basin

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Human densities are important in this region (42 h / km2 in 2004) and The human footprint
and land conquests are spectacular. Most slopes are totally bare and cultured. Thus, Human pressure
has transformed initial forest landscapes in a mosaic of various agrarian plots with some fragments
of degraded forests at mountaintops and badly eroded landscapes. Overuse of cleared land, fueled
by strong population growth, explains the expansion of farming into areas with steep slopes witch
result in accelerated erosion in this fragile environment.. The mapping and diachronic study of land
use (2000 - 2014) shows a modification of the countryside with increased areas of fruit tree crops (
85.27 %) , an extension of strongly eroded soils ( badlands and uncultivated land) ( 8.74% ) and a
reduction of annual crop areas ( -26.55 %) and forest/reforestation (-37.57 %) ( Table 2) .

3. METHODOLOGY

To achieve the objectives of this study that leads mainly to the quantification of hydric
erosion in the watershed of wadi Tarmast, we firstly made an exploration of the physical
environment through field studies. Then we conducted spatial hydric erosion by considering the
parameters that influence the erosive dynamics in the concerned area. The recommended
methodology is based on the collection, processing and spatial analysis of data concerning the
physical constraints, land use and geomorphology of the watershed. We, therefore, have proceeded
by extracting thematic informations from satellite images, and performing a digital elevation model
(DEM) and derived data such as the inclination and the length of the slopes. In this work we used
the ArcGIS 10.1 software for scanning all layers of information required, and spatial data analysis
(Lewis et al., 2007). Furthermore, we used the software Erdas Imagine and Arc Gis 10.1 for the
treatment of remote sensing imagery for mapping land cover. For modeling processes of erosion
and deposition of soil we opted for the use of Idrisi Andes Software 9.2.
3.1. Using pictures of remote sensing for mapping land cover

The identification of the spatial and temporal variation in land use in the under study area,
was conducted from the classification of satellite images Landsat-5 TM and Landsat-7 ETM +
(between 2000 and 2014). The acquired data is processed and analyzed by the image processing
software Erdas Imagine and Arc Gis 10.1. In a first step, these images were georeferenced
according to Lambert Conformal Conic and clamped according to the reference coordinate system
of Merchich northern zone (North of Morocco System. Thus, a cutting image was performed by
selecting the parts corresponding to the same portion of space from the geographical coordinates of
our study area. These geometric pretreatments have allowed the integration of satellite imagery in
the GIS of the concerned area and the performing of the required analyzes. In addition,
enhancement operations and combinations of channels have been made to improve the visual
quality of images and to increase the separability of thematic classes for a good photo interpretation.
From the above observations, we performed a supervised classification in order to obtain a land use
map. Themes are defined based on soil characteristics, vegetation and agricultural land use
references observed in the field.
3.2. Modeling of erosion and soil deposition

RUSLE Model: The quantifying of hydric erosion in the Tarmast catchment is performed
by the integrated RUSLE model in the Idrisi software. This model allowed us to estimate the
average annual erosion rate throughout the watershed, depending on the distribution of rainfall
aggressiveness of soil erodibility, topography, soil occupation and crop management practices.
Under this model, the erosion rate (A t / ha / year) is a multiplicative function of rainfall
erosivity (R) which is equal to the potential energy that multiplies the resistance of the medium or

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erodibility soil (K), the topographic factor (SL), plant cover and cropping practices (C) and erosion
control practices (P). A = R.K. SL.C.P
The R value used for the study area was based on the formula of Rango & Arnoldus (1987)
and derived by using 19792013 data from the Ain Boukallal weather station.
The K value was derived using the Wischmeier equation, the pedological map of the study
area, and the areas infiltration and soils properties as developed by (Tribak 2000 and Tribak et al.
(2009).
The LS factor is computed by the GIS software. It utilizes the DEM to calculate the slope
and slope lengths, as well as the orientation of the slopes used in developing the patches (Chen et
al., 2008).
The C value used was based on results of previous similar studies concerning some
catchments areas in the Rif moutains (Tribak et al 2009, Sadiki et al 2004, Naimi et al 2004), and
also by using satellite images, as well as field observations.
The P factor ranges from 1 for no conservation to 0.1 for heavily mulched grounds (Roose,
1996). No conservation is practiced in the study area, so a value of 1 was assigned to the whole
study area.
After having determined all necessary parameters, estimation and mapping of soil losses are
made using the integrated model RUSLE in Idrisi Andes Software (Lewis et al. 2005).
Sedimentation Model:
The model Sedimentation uses homogeneous polygons resulting from the calculation of the
RUSLE model to assess the net movement of soil (erosion or deposit) in plots or watersheds (Lewis
et al., 2005). If the data is analyzed at the scale of the watershed, a report from the issuance of the
sediment can be entered to determine the amount of sediment out of the basin. The implementation
of this model will come after the RUSLE model results. Sedimentation requires to show firstly
whether the data are to be analyzed at the field or at watershed level, and then to introduce the MNT
and the identification images of homogeneous polygons and the soil losses images resulting from
RUSLE equation.
The determination of net erosion or deposition begins with the calculation of total soil loss
for each homogeneous product polygon from the RUSLE model. The model Sedimentation
determines first the average altitude for each polygon and then the location of the highest altitude in
the catchment area or in the relevant plot. The direction of movement of the soil is then determined
by the relative differences in elevation between adjacent polygons. So the movement is always in
the direction of the downward slope. The amount of soil loss that enters the surrounding lower
polygon is proportional to the length of the common border between the top of the polygon and the
lower one (Eastman, 2006). Then, soil loss or net deposits in all lower polygons are calculated as
well. Using the results of the RUSLE model, soil loss for the top polygon is compared to the lower
one. The difference amounts of soil loss between the top of the polygon and the lower one
constitute the loss or the net deposition soils in the lower polygon.

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Evolution of land use

This part was intended to diachronic analysis of land use to estimate the scale of landscape
modifications due to the degradation of natural resources and to highlight the major changes of the
environment within the basin. We performed the analysis and interpretation of remote sensing
images for two years (2000 and 2014) to develop land use maps and to detect its change over time.
The results of this analysis allowed us to identify four classes of occupation and land use:
arboriculture/ Olive trees, badlands and uncultivated land, annual crops, Forest/ Reforestation
From the standpoint of land use, the analysis shows a modification of the countryside with
an increase of olive areas, an extension of the highly eroded areas (badlands and uncultivated land)
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and reduced annual crops areas to benefit of arboriculture. The surfaces occupied by scrub and
reforestation suffered a slight reduction. Thus, The mapping and diachronic study of land use (2000
- 2014) shows very clearly increased areas of fruit tree crops (85.27%), an extension of heavily
eroded soils (badlands and wasteland ) (8.74%) and a reduction of annual crop areas (-26.55%) and
forest/ reforestation (-37.54%) (Table 2)
The significant expansion of uncultivated land and consequently the badlands is closely
related to phenomena of abandonment of agricultural land because of the accelerated process of
rural depopulation. In the Currently abandoned plots, the soil structures are considerably degraded.
Their compaction, in the absence of basic maintenance and protection works, allows a concentration
of runoff that contributes to the onset of dense networks of incisions. So it constitutes the seat of
major runoff coefficients and are, therefore, a preferred location of the increase in the erosion
process and excessive sediment output.

Code

Land use

4
3
2
1

badlands and
wasteland
Annual croops
Arboriculture
forest/ reforestation
Total

Areas (Km)
2000

Areas (Km)
2014

27,70
32,49
7,92
1,47
69,58

39,81
46,70
11,39
2,11
100,00

30,12
23,86
14,68
0,92
69,58

43,29
34,30
21,10
1,32
100,00

Evolution
2000-2014
8,74
-26,55
85,27
-37,54

Tableau 2. diachronic evolution of the land use during the period 2000-2014

Figure 5. Land use of Wadi Tarmast - 2000

Figure 6. Land use of Wadi Tarmast - 2014

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4.2. Estimation and mapping of soil loss

The soil loss map was determined by multiplying the various required parameters (R, K, LS,
C and P) which constitute the Wischmeier amended universal soils loss equation (RUSLE). This
map shows both the extent of losses in land in the basin and their variability from one sector to
another. The weighted average loss per surface is 78 t / ha / year for a total of 542 943 t / year for
the entire basin. These results show excessive sediment production that exceeds farly the tolerance
threshold. This remains closely linked to the considerable extension of marly material offering
steep, bare and intensely exploited slopes. For comparison the average losses are estimated in the
valley of Wadi Tlata (eastern Prerif) to 61 t / ha / year on marly bare and cultured hillsides (Tribak
et al 2009). In the watershed of Wadi Nakhla in the Western Rif losses reach the average of 65
t/ha/year at the level of the field (Naimi et al 2004). The spatial distribution of soil loss shows that
more than 32 t / ha / year class is predominant occupying 21.7 km2 (31.3%) of the basin area.
Conversely the class of losses less than 7t / ha / year occupies only 16.9 km2 (24.2%) of the total
area of the basin (Table 5).

Watersheds

Area
(Km2)

Lithology

Average soil
loss
(t/ha/year)
61

Wadi Tleta
(Eastern Prerif)
(Tribak 2009)
Oued Nakhla
(Western rif)
(Naili 2004)

123

Oued Boussouab
(Eastern Rif )
(Sadiki 2004)

252

Dark pelites, marls and limestone marl

55

Oued El Mellah
(Central Prerif)
(Laroussi 2013)

34

Calcareous ,sandstone marls with

interbedded sandstone, Pliocene
conglomerates

41

marls, limestone marl and sandy marls

111

marls and flysch

60

Table 3. Soil loss in other rifain wshedsater

From Table (4) illustrating the loss of land by type of occupation, losses are ranged from
2.19 t / ha / year as the minimum value measured in forests and 140.86 t / ha / year as maximum
value recorded in wastelands and badlands. They generally correspond to Regosols or less evolved
erosion soils located essentially on marly steep slopes which sometimes exceeds 25%. Land
reserved for annual crops and tree crops also exhibit high susceptibility to erosion, with respective
annual losses of 37.11 t / ha and 21.9 t / ha / year. The role of human activities and land use patterns
is an important element explaining the acceleration of erosion phenomena and their spatial
distribution. Furthermore, the extension of the area of uncultivated land and badlands in the basin, is
due to the abandonment of certain areas, which is a recent phenomenon related to migration within
the region. Field observations show that actually abandoned plots, especially on southern
exposures, are intensely pickled and ravaged by gullies and so can produce huge amounts of
sediment.
As we can see, the RUSLE model displays relatively high soil losses related to the
combination of physical parameters (steep slopes, rugged terrain, and dominance of marly

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formations and almost total absence of vegetation cover) and human parameters
strong pressure on the slopes.
Land use

Forest/Reforestation

arboriculture/
Olive trees
14,68
21,10
21 ,931

annual crops

manifested by

Badlands
and
uncultivated land
30.12
43.29
140,106

Areas km2
0.92
23.86
%
1,32
34,30
losses/RUSLE
2,219
31,117
(t/ha/an) 2014
Table 4. Annual average soil loss by type of occupation (RUSLE) 2014

Figure 8. net soil losses established by the

sedimentation model for the year 2014 (t/ha/year)

Figure 7. net soil losses established by the

RUSLE model for the year 2014 (t/ha/year)
Classes
< 7 t/ha/Year
7 - 20 t/ha/Year
20 - 32 t/ha/Year
> 32 t/ha/Year
Total

Areas (Km)
16,90
14,60
16,30
21,78
69,58

Classes
Sdiment
< 7 t/ha/an
7 - 20 t/ha/an
20 - 32 t/ha/an
> 32 t/ha/an
Total

%
24,29
20,98
23,43
31,30
100,00

Table 5. areas average losses of soil according

to the RUSLE model (2014)

Areas(Km)

%
5,58
24,38
28,06
10,16
1,35
69,52

8,02
35,07
40,35
14,61
1,95
100,00

Table 6. areas average losses of soil according to

the Sedimentation model (2014)

Indeed, in this model all the pixels deliver a quantity, greater than or equal to zero loss in
soil, without considering the possibility of deposition at the downstream and the slope change area.
This led us to consider the possibility of integrating the deposition phenomenon to estimate the net
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soil loss in the study area. The Sedimentation model results are shown in Figure 8. These results of
net soil losses are significantly lower than those estimated by RUSLE. This is logical with the fact
of existing compensation between adjacent plots.
Comparing these results with previous studies (El Garouani et al 2003, Tribak, 2009, 2012;
Esadiki 2004, Heusch, 1970) shows that the consideration of the temporal variability of the erosion
process and the deposition phenomenon usually leads to decrease soil erosion value. According to
the results, that we see that the class of losses 7-20 t / ha / year predominates, with 28.06 km2
(40.35%), however the upper class of 32 t / ha / year occupies only 1.35 Km2 (1.95%) of the basin
(Table 6). based on the averages of certain types of land use, there is an increased risk of erosion
over time in high slope areas of the basin. Nevertheless, the lowlands, the basal sections of certain
slopes and the terraces bordering the river are the site of accumulation and settling considerable
amounts of fine elements that enrich soils and compensate accelerated erosion on steep slopes,
generally barren. Thus It appears from the field observations that these deposition zones allow some
fairly developed soils such as isohumic soils or vertisol rich in silt and clay. They take, in the
landscape, some dark colors that contrast sharply with the bright colors that characterize highly
eroded soils on steep slopes (photos 1-2).

Photo 1: South facing slopes heavily

devastated by erosional processes (Wadi
Tarmast catchment, May 2015 )

Photo 2 : Sedimentation areas benefiting from

developed soils (Wadi Tarmast catchment, May
2015 )

5. CONCLUSION

The mapping of changes in land use from remote sensing data, on one hand, and quantitative
assessment of the hydric erosion and deposition on the other, in this region of the Rif, shows great
fragility of these environments. Soils and surface formations derived from essentially marly and
mostly bared lands exude susceptibility to various erosional processes. According to the RUSLE
model average soils losses above-mentioned, exceed significantly the thresholds loss tolerances,
although they are around the ablation rates in some regions of the Moroccan Rif. This reflects the
importance of the accelerated rate of erosion in the entire basin and the contribution of the various
factors analyzed above. The production of sediments in this Rifain catchment is excessive,
threatening the soil capital and infrastructure located downstream within the Inaoune basin.
Nevertheless the use of the sedimentation model for quantifying erosion helped us to highlight the
importance of the deposition phenomenon in the determination of net soil loss. Comparison of these
results with previous studies show that taking into account the time variability of the process of
erosion and deposition phenomenon leads to reduce the soil erosion value considerably. In this way
the low funds, ledges and concave slopes and terraces bordering the rivers are seats of landing

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considerable amounts of fine elements that enrich soils and compensate accelerated erosion on steep
slopes generally barren.

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