Integrating GIS and PAP/RAC guidelines for qualitative soil erosion risk evaluation in Al-Hoceima National Park, Northern Morocco

Abstract

This study was conducted in the terrestrial part of the Al-Hoceima National Park (PNAH), where soil water erosion ranks among the primary threats to the region's fragile ecosystems as well as to its agricultural lands. The present work aims to qualitatively assess the potential risk of water erosion by adopting the predictive approach of the PAP/RAC method, using data from remote sensing, geological maps of the region, and field observations, all processed in a GIS environment. The results show that 71.26% of the terrestrial area of the Al-Hoceima National Park is exposed to a high to very high risk of soil water erosion, while only 11.35% of this area shows a low to very low risk.