An integrated and multidimensional approach for analyzing vulnerability of water resources under territorial climate conditions

Several factors comprising climate variability, increasing water demand, and agricultural and industrial activities, have put pressure on water resources, making them more vulnerable, and compromising water quality. The present study uses geographic information system (GIS) to develop a multidimensional index of territorial vulnerability to water scarcity and climate variability in the Saïss plain, Morocco. The main objective is to identify the most vulnerable areas in the basin. In this approach, the conceptual framework of vulnerability consists of a multidimensional and integrated analysis, and is based on four components (Resources, Socio-demographic, Environment and Infrastructure) and 21 indicators. Two government agencies, namely, Agence du Bassin Hydraulique du Sebou and Haut-Commissariat au Plan du Maroc are the primary sources of data for this study. An aggregation method was used to produce the vulnerability index for each component, as well as the overall vulnerability index. A spatial vulnerability assessment was carried out to identify areas of very high vulnerability within the study area, requiring priority intervention. The findings of this study indicated that the degree of vulnerability to water scarcity in 51% of the communes within the study area is low to very low, 25% is moderate, while 23% of the communes have a high to very high level of vulnerability. According to the geographical distribution of vulnerability, rural communities in the northeast and northwest are more vulnerable than those in the center and south. Based on the assessment and mapping of the vulnerability of water resources to climate change and human factors in the Saiss plain, mitigation and adaptation measures are proposed to mitigate the risks associated with climate conditions and water scarcity.