UM6P Evaluates Desertification Sensitivity Across Project Sites

News

As part of Task T2.1 – Identifying Suitable Areas for Agroforestry System (AFS) Implementation, UM6P team recently conducted field visits in Essaouira and Oued Zem, focusing on marginal and degraded lands highly vulnerable to erosion and soil crusting.

Soil sampling in the Argan Lighthouse by UM6P, the Agenda, and the ANDZOA team (Photo: UM6P).

UM6P and AGENDA teams visiting the sites of El Baraka Farmers Association (Photo: UM6P).

Dar El Carob Lighthouse: visual evidence of soil erosion (Photo: UM6P).

El Baraka Farmers Association sites: signs of soil erosion (Photo: UM6P).

During April and May 2025, the teams from UM6P and AGENDA visited various lighthouse and new planting sites (including Atriplex sites, the Argan Lighthouse, El Baraka Farmers Association sites, Dar El Carob Lighthouse, and the Société Ouest Marocain (SOM) site) to collect soil and water samples and gather data on the state of degradation, with the objective of calculating the Desertification Index score for each site.

Field measurements were conducted, focusing particularly on soil water infiltration and vegetation cover. The soil samples will be analyzed to determine physical properties and fertility, while the water samples will be assessed to evaluate the quality of irrigation water and identify any risk of salinity. In the next phase, additional data, such as climate, land use management, and topography, will be integrated to calculate the Desertification Index score.