Application of The Hierarchical Multicriteria Analysis Method to The Study of Water Erosion (South of Azilal, Morocco)

Abstract

This study aims to apply the process of the analytical hierarchy in geographic information system to the study of water erosion in the southern part of the Azilal region, Morocco. This method is an important tool to be used in the planning and management of natural risks; it has allowed us to obtain a multi-factorial sensitivity map to water erosion. This sensitivity map of erosive soil conditions in the study area shows that 6% of the area is (less) exposed to erosion risk while 85% of the mapped area is moderately exposed to erosion risk and only 8% of the mapped area is highly exposed to water weathering factors.  Visually, the high-risk zones correspond to the area around ‘’Oued Lakhdar’’ and its tributaries.