Application of Sentinel 2 Satellite Imagery for Sustainable Groundwater Management in Agricultural Areas—Chtouka Aquifer, Morocco

Fabian Stoffner,Mustapha Mimouni

doi:10.3390/quat4040035

Abstract

In semi-arid regions that are characterized by large agricultural activities, a high volume of water is needed to cover the water requirements for agricultural production. Due to low precipitation and the associated limited availability of surface water, aquifers often represent the main source of irrigation water in these regions. Especially in coastal aquifers, high groundwater abstraction rates may change the flow dynamics of the aquifer and may lead to saltwater intrusion. In this study, within the framework of German–Moroccan international cooperation, the agricultural areas for the summer period 2019 of the Chtouka coastal aquifer in southern Morocco are classified using optical and multi-spectral Sentinel 2 data. Based on the developed land use maps, the groundwater abstraction for irrigation is then quantified by referring to local farmers’ irrigation practices. Following this approach, the total amount of groundwater abstraction is estimated at 157 million m3 for the summer period 2019 in the Chtouka aquifer.

Highlights

The Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany (BGR) and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) are implementing a regional project for improved groundwater management in the Maghreb region within the framework of international technical cooperation
The case forwhich the summer period is presented due to the body is at risk from saltwater intrusion, is worsened by2019 groundwater abstraction
The total area of greenhouses period 2019 based on the Sentinel 2 data from 26 July 2019

Summary

Introduction

The Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany (BGR) and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) are implementing a regional project for improved groundwater management in the Maghreb region within the framework of international technical cooperation. One of the key challenges in the Maghreb is the groundwater abstraction used for irrigation in agriculture. Since this groundwater abstraction is usually uncontrolled, the quantification of the volume as well as its spatial distribution are crucial for decision makers. The volume of the abstracted groundwater is hard to measure directly over large areas. The agricultural areas are classified using optical and multi-spectral satellite data. The groundwater abstraction for irrigation is quantified by referring to local farmers’ irrigation practices

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion