Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: 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.
Source: Land
DOI: 10.3390/land14040837
Authors: Anas Laamouri, Abdellatif Khattabi
Institution: École Nationale Forestière d'Ingénieurs
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Climate action, Life on land
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4409369767