Using Analytic Hierarchy Process to Map and Quantify the Ecosystem Services in Oualidia Lagoon, Morocco
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ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF WETLANDS
Using Analytic Hierarchy Process to Map and Quantify the Ecosystem Services in Oualidia Lagoon, Morocco Youssef Khomalli 1,2 & Soukaina Elyaagoubi 3 & Mohamed Maanan 2 & Arturas Razinkova-Baziukas 3 & Hassan Rhinane 1 & Mehdi Maanan 1 Received: 10 July 2020 / Accepted: 2 October 2020 # Society of Wetland Scientists 2020
Abstract This research presents an approach to assess the ecosystem services (ES) flow in the Oualidia lagoon in Morocco combining geographic information systems (GIS) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). We evaluated the flow of 15 ES divided into regulating, provisioning, and cultural categories in 20 CORINE land-cover classes found in the lagoon area. To determine the total ES flow, we used an expert-based scoring approach for each of the CORINE LULC classes. Geographically the results comprised not only the immediate lagoon proximity but also area south of the lagoon. The highest combined ES flows were estimated in the forested, semi-natural (beaches and dunes), and agriculture areas, as well as water features (ocean and lagoon channel), while in artificial areas the ES delivery was the lowest. We expect our results to serve as a guide for land planners and decision-makers, providing an example of support for the nature management strategy for other coastal regions in Morocco and elsewhere. Keywords Ecosystems services . GIS mapping . Analytic hierarchy process . Spatial modelling . Natural resources management . Protected area
Introduction Coastal lagoons occupy 13% of the world coastline (Kjerfve 1994). This term embraces a high diversity of environments with great differences in environmental and human characteristics (Velasco et al. 2018). Coastal and marine ecosystems provide extensive services for human well-being, including provisioning (e.g. food), regulation (e.g. carbon sequestration), and cultural services (e.g. recreation) (Tinch and Mathieu 2011; UNEP-WCMC 2011; Maanan et al. 2019). Increasing societal demand for marine resources has led to remarkable alterations in the flow or even loss of ES e.g. flood protection and water quality (Small et al. 2000; Small and
* Youssef Khomalli [email protected] 1
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, University Hassan II, Km 8 Route d’El Jadida, B.P 5366, 20100 Maarif Casablanca, Morocco
2
University of Nantes, LETG UMR, 6554 Nantes, France
3
Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
Nicholls 2003; Owuor et al. 2017). Additionally, coastal lagoons are ecologically sensitive, displaying many environmental fluctuations over different time scales. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement suitable strategies for sustainable management (Turner et al. 2000). Managing natural capital to maintain ecosystem structure and function requires evidence to demonstrate how the incorporation of natural capital and ES into decision making can lead to better outcomes for improving human well-being (Guerry et al. 2015). This evidence also requires a mult
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