Literature review on anthropogenic pressures and global changes on paralic ecosystems in the Eastern Mediterranean: Towards Sustainable Management and Ecological Awareness

Abstract

The river mouths of Oued Kert and Oued Moulouya, located in Morocco's eastern Rif region, are essential for maintaining Mediterranean wetland functions and supporting regional biodiversity. Despite their ecological significance, these environments face growing human pressures, including urban expansion, intensive agriculture, and domestic effluent, resulting in sediment contamination by heavy metals and microbiological agents. Such impacts pose major risks to the benthic macrofauna, which serve as sensitive bioindicators of ecosystem quality. This literature review examines the role of watersheds in the functioning of river estuaries, while highlighting the link between sustainable management practices and environmental awareness. By analyzing sediment pollution and the organization of benthic macrofauna communities, this study underscores the essential role of environmental education in local ecological management. The results show a gradual degradation of ecosystems, underscoring the urgent need to implement sustainable management and strengthen the involvement of local communities in preserving these environments in the face of global change.