Estimating the Economic Cost of Land Degradation and Desertification in Morocco
Desertification affects over 90% of Moroccan territory, leading to soil degradation that reduces agricultural productivity, diminishes biodiversity, and alters environmental functions. This study estimates the total economic cost of desertification in Morocco using a zonal approach based on regional...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Anas Laamouri Abdellatif Khattabi |
| author_facet | Anas Laamouri Abdellatif Khattabi |
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| description | Desertification affects over 90% of Moroccan territory, leading to soil degradation that reduces agricultural productivity, diminishes biodiversity, and alters environmental functions. This study estimates the total economic cost of desertification in Morocco using a zonal approach based on regional sensitivity. The methodology includes two stages: quantifying productivity losses from water and wind erosion, salinization, overgrazing, silting of dams, carbon storage loss, and land-use changes; and monetizing impacts using methods such as productivity change, replacement cost, and the social cost of carbon. The total cost is estimated at USD 2.1 billion per year, with 78.02% from agricultural and grazing land productivity losses, 2.95% from dam silting, 18.47% from carbon storage loss, and 0.56% from land-use changes. These findings underscore the urgency of public policies, including land use planning, sustainable agriculture, irrigation modernization, and community engagement. Drawing on successful initiatives in the MENA region and globally, Morocco can mitigate desertification’s impacts and foster sustainable development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d7220b32774c4aaab7db1579e683ea67 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-d7220b32774c4aaab7db1579e683ea672025-08-20T02:28:15ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-04-0114483710.3390/land14040837Estimating the Economic Cost of Land Degradation and Desertification in MoroccoAnas Laamouri0Abdellatif Khattabi1National Agency for Water and Forests, Rabat 10000, MoroccoNational School of Forestry Engineering, Salé 11000, MoroccoDesertification affects over 90% of Moroccan territory, leading to soil degradation that reduces agricultural productivity, diminishes biodiversity, and alters environmental functions. This study estimates the total economic cost of desertification in Morocco using a zonal approach based on regional sensitivity. The methodology includes two stages: quantifying productivity losses from water and wind erosion, salinization, overgrazing, silting of dams, carbon storage loss, and land-use changes; and monetizing impacts using methods such as productivity change, replacement cost, and the social cost of carbon. The total cost is estimated at USD 2.1 billion per year, with 78.02% from agricultural and grazing land productivity losses, 2.95% from dam silting, 18.47% from carbon storage loss, and 0.56% from land-use changes. These findings underscore the urgency of public policies, including land use planning, sustainable agriculture, irrigation modernization, and community engagement. Drawing on successful initiatives in the MENA region and globally, Morocco can mitigate desertification’s impacts and foster sustainable development.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/837desertificationsoil degradationeconomic costland productivitycarbon storage loss |
| spellingShingle | Anas Laamouri Abdellatif Khattabi Estimating the Economic Cost of Land Degradation and Desertification in Morocco Land desertification soil degradation economic cost land productivity carbon storage loss |
| title | Estimating the Economic Cost of Land Degradation and Desertification in Morocco |
| title_full | Estimating the Economic Cost of Land Degradation and Desertification in Morocco |
| title_fullStr | Estimating the Economic Cost of Land Degradation and Desertification in Morocco |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimating the Economic Cost of Land Degradation and Desertification in Morocco |
| title_short | Estimating the Economic Cost of Land Degradation and Desertification in Morocco |
| title_sort | estimating the economic cost of land degradation and desertification in morocco |
| topic | desertification soil degradation economic cost land productivity carbon storage loss |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/837 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anaslaamouri estimatingtheeconomiccostoflanddegradationanddesertificationinmorocco AT abdellatifkhattabi estimatingtheeconomiccostoflanddegradationanddesertificationinmorocco |