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• Addressing desertification in Algeria: Etiologies, National Policies, and Accomplishments

  63-84

  Ramzi Benhizia

  Feyrouz Ahlam Saidi

  Haithem Aib

  György Szabó

  Views:

  24

  Desertification, affects 36.62% of non-desert land in Algeria, stands as a critical environmental challenge demanding thorough analysis and strategic intervention. This study offered a nuanced exploration of the multifaceted dynamics of desertification, scrutinizing its varied causes, ecological repercussions, and governmental countermeasures. Drawing on extensive research, the article synthesizes insights from previously overlooked factors such as colonialism, wildfires, socio-economic shifts, and the evolving climate landscape. Since 1962, Algeria has committed to mitigate desertification through strategic programs into national development plans, intricately woven into the fabric of national development plans. Noteworthy among these initiatives is the vegetation barrier project, conceived to erect a formidable vegetation barrier against the relentless advance of encroaching deserts. The legal and institutional frameworks, coupled with meticulous planning under the National Spatial Development Plan (SNAT 2025), underscore Algeria’s proactive stance. Despite commendable achievements in afforestation, watershed protection, and socio-economic development, persistent challenges underscore the need for continued collaboration, adaptive strategies, and an unwavering commitment to mitigating the profound impacts of desertification on Algeria’s diverse ecosystems and communities.

• Spatial pattern of soil erosion using RUSLE model and GIS software at the Saf Saf watershed, Algeria

  31-47

  Kamel Khanchoul

  Zine El Abidine Boukhrissa

  Ouafa Othmani

  Views:

  384

  Soil erosion is one of the problems threatening the Algerian environment. In agriculture, soil erosion leads to the thinning of the topsoil under the effect of the natural erosive forces of water, or under the effect of agricultural activities. The present study aims to estimate average soil loss rate and to identify vulnerable zones. Through the integration of RUSLE model at the Saf Saf watershed, various parameters are utilized such as the rainfall erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), slope length - slope factor (LS), crop management factor (C) and practice management factor (P). All these parameters are prepared and processed through a geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing using various database sources. The results reveal that the river basin has an average annual soil loss of 3.9 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, and annual soil loss of 4.53 million tonnes for the period 1975-2017. Meanwhile, eighty five percent of the study area is experiencing acceptable rate of soil erosion loss, which is ranging between 0 to 5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. The present study of risk assessment can contribute to understand the spatial pattern of soil erosion in order to use appropriate conservation practices for sustainable soil management.

• Evaluation of climatic conditions from 1978 to 2020 of Oued Souf valley (Southern East of Algeria)

  1-10

  Ayoub Barkat

  Foued Bouaicha

  Zakaria Rahal

  Tamás Mester

  György Szabó

  Views:

  217

  In this research, a climatic synthesis was built to assess the climatic parameters of the Oued Souf Valley through the meteorological data obtained from Guemar station (airport). It was revealed that the hydrological year of Oued Souf Valley is branded by the presence of a dry period and the total absence of a wet period over the year, even during January, when it was observed to have the lowest temperature and highest precipitation, which classified it as a Saharan climate (Hyper arid). The irregularity and the scarcity of precipitation, high temperatures and extremely high evapotranspiration had significant repercussions on surface runoff and infiltration which implies a high pressure on the water resources of Oued Souf valley and may disrupt the future socioeconomic project and increase the damage of natural drought and desertification.

• Assessment of the vulnerability of zemmouri bay to coastal erosion, diachronic study between 1957 and 2017

  15-30

  Nour el Imène Mouhoubi

  Rabah Belkessa

  Housseyn Otmani

  Views:

  376

  The analysis and understanding of coastline variability and coastal erosion trends, and accretion are essential to scientists and local decision-makers to guide shoreline management regulations and decisions. This study focuses on detecting and analyzing historical changes in the Zemmouri (Central Algeria) shoreline position between 1957 and 2017. We collected all the necessary data related to the Zemmouri bay to achieve our objective, such as satellite images, aerial photos, and topographical surveys carried out by the DGPS, all between 1957 and 2017 DSAS calculation tool. Diachronic analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images of Zemmouri Bay revealed that only 39% of sandy beaches are eroding while 3% have some stability. The maximum erosion at Mazer East beach is -1.25m/year. The maximum accretion rate of +1.40m/year at Blue Waves beach, mainly due to the implantation of breakwaters at this beach which created tombolos favoring sand accumulation and beach widening.