Scholarlink

<p>The cumulative effects of climate change on the water cycle components are increasingly alarming. Complex karst aquifers, particularly those with limited data, have received less attention regarding climate change. Consequently, monitoring snowfall is essential for analysing climatic factors, hydrology, hydrogeology, and water resource management. Located in the central High Atlas of Morocco, the Ait Abdi Plateau has experienced a significant decline in snow cover over the past 45&#xa0;years because of climate change. This paper aims to assess the effects of climate change and land use and land cover (LULC) practices on snow cover within the study area, focusing on precipitation, temperature, and land use and land cover dynamics. Diachronic and statistical techniques were used to investigate the loss of snowfall on the Ait Abdi Plateau. Data from monitoring gauging stations, field measurements (2015–2024), remote sensing techniques based on Landsat data, and spectral indices such as the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were combined to examine snow cover fluctuations and their relationship to climate change. Furthermore, the Mann–Kendall (MK) test was employed to assess the temperature variability from 1980 to the actual trends. In terms of results, snowfall shows a steady decrease, shorter snow retention periods, and increasing surface temperatures. Precipitation ranged from 50&#xa0;mm in 1963 to 372&#xa0;mm in 2006. This variability directly affects snow cover and melting. Temperature has shown an increasing trend, with a higher average maximum of 10&#xa0;°C in 1985. Additionally, from 1998 to 2023, winter temperatures have been rising. Maximum temperatures reached 20&#xa0;°C in the studied area, and minimum temperatures in the mountainous regions were only 5&#xa0;°C below zero. Furthermore, from 810 km<sup>2</sup> in 1985 to 0.041 km<sup>2</sup> in 2023, snow cover exhibited a notable decrease in unpredictability, highlighting the obvious consequences of climate change and its profound implications on high-altitude ecosystems. Land use and land cover changes indicate high deforestation rates and have a significant impact on soil degradation, resulting in reduced water retention, increased runoff, and soil erosion. Consequently, the decline in the snow cover area will impact groundwater recharge and water availability. Additionally, it will affect agriculture in the downstream part of the study area. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable land and water management strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change in these mountainous areas.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

The impact of climate change on snow cover reduction in the bare karst system of the Ait Abdi Plateau (Central High Atlas, Morocco)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月1日

查看全文
  • Mohamed Rizki,
  • Hasan Ouakhir,
  • Nadia Ennaji,
  • Mimon Goumih,
  • Rachid Khouyaha,
  • Larbi Barhazi,
  • Mohamed El Garnaoui,
  • Hassan Mosaid

摘要

The cumulative effects of climate change on the water cycle components are increasingly alarming. Complex karst aquifers, particularly those with limited data, have received less attention regarding climate change. Consequently, monitoring snowfall is essential for analysing climatic factors, hydrology, hydrogeology, and water resource management. Located in the central High Atlas of Morocco, the Ait Abdi Plateau has experienced a significant decline in snow cover over the past 45 years because of climate change. This paper aims to assess the effects of climate change and land use and land cover (LULC) practices on snow cover within the study area, focusing on precipitation, temperature, and land use and land cover dynamics. Diachronic and statistical techniques were used to investigate the loss of snowfall on the Ait Abdi Plateau. Data from monitoring gauging stations, field measurements (2015–2024), remote sensing techniques based on Landsat data, and spectral indices such as the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were combined to examine snow cover fluctuations and their relationship to climate change. Furthermore, the Mann–Kendall (MK) test was employed to assess the temperature variability from 1980 to the actual trends. In terms of results, snowfall shows a steady decrease, shorter snow retention periods, and increasing surface temperatures. Precipitation ranged from 50 mm in 1963 to 372 mm in 2006. This variability directly affects snow cover and melting. Temperature has shown an increasing trend, with a higher average maximum of 10 °C in 1985. Additionally, from 1998 to 2023, winter temperatures have been rising. Maximum temperatures reached 20 °C in the studied area, and minimum temperatures in the mountainous regions were only 5 °C below zero. Furthermore, from 810 km2 in 1985 to 0.041 km2 in 2023, snow cover exhibited a notable decrease in unpredictability, highlighting the obvious consequences of climate change and its profound implications on high-altitude ecosystems. Land use and land cover changes indicate high deforestation rates and have a significant impact on soil degradation, resulting in reduced water retention, increased runoff, and soil erosion. Consequently, the decline in the snow cover area will impact groundwater recharge and water availability. Additionally, it will affect agriculture in the downstream part of the study area. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable land and water management strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change in these mountainous areas.