This volume offers a comprehensive analysis of the water resources in the Souss-Massa river basin in southwestern Morocco and provides novel water-management approaches to narrow the gap between supply and demand for water. It evaluates conventional water resources¿surface water and groundwater¿and discusses in detail rainfall harvesting into dams along the Souss and Massa wadis. Further, it explores topics including the geology of the aquifer; the risk of over exploitation; alternative water resources, such as desalinated seawater and treated domestic wastewater, as well as management approaches like Data Development Analysis and the SALTMED model. With a focus on linking scientific research to practical applications and the demands of agriculture and associated agro-industry, urbanization and tourism, which compete for the limited water resources, the book appeals to environmental scientists, geologists, engineers and environmental managers.

Contributes to sustainable water management

Water Resources Master Plan for Sustainable development of the Souss-Massa River Basin.- Physical geography, geology and water resources availability of the Souss-Massa River Basin.- Flood Hazard Mapping and Modeling using GIS applied to the Souss River watershed.- Dams siltation and soil erosion in Souss Massa river basin.- Assessment of climate and land use changes impacts on groundwater resources in the Souss-Massa River basin.- Assessment of groundwater quality: Impact of natural and anthropogenic contamination in Souss-Massa River Basin.- Groundwater dependent ecosystems in the Souss-Massa River region: an economic valuation of ecosystems services.- Environmental Risk Assessment of the reuse of treated wastewaters in the Souss-Massa River Basin.- Contribution of sea water desalination to cope with water scarcity in Souss Massa region in Southern Morocco.- SALTMED Model and its application on field crops, different water and field management and under current and future climatechange.- Water use efficiency and valuation in agriculture in the Souss-Massa.- The Great Catchment of Souss-Massa Wadi (Morocco).- Relationship Protected Areas and Ecotourism.- Experiences, success stories and Lessons Learnt from the Implementation of the Water law Framework Directive in the Souss-Massa River Basin.- Socio-Economics and Governance of Water Resources in the Souss-Massa River Basin.