Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

Vol 28, Issue 4, 2022; Page No.(1673-1681)

REMOTE SENSING: MAPPING OF DROUGHT RISK AREAS IN THE CHICHAOUA BASIN OF THE HIGH ATLAS (MARRAKECHMOROCCO) USING THE VEGETATION CONDITION INDEX (VCI) USING LANDSAT DATA FROM 1984 TO 2020

Fathallah Fatima-Ezzahra, Algouti Ahmed and Algouti Abdellah

Abstract

Drought is a complex natural phenomenon and does not have a precise definition. Thus, drought indicates the most frequent risk in the history of Morocco with negative consequences on the environment and the economy of the country. Indeed, the different regions of Morocco have experienced periods of intense drought in recent decades characterized by a decrease in rainfall and a trend towards higher temperatures. The Chichaoua watershed, which is part of the High Atlas with a semi-arid climate, has been exposed to drought episodes several times in recent years. Its effects can have negative impact on agriculture, water resources and immigration of the rural population. This study aims at characterizing the climatic drought at the level of the Chichaoua basin. It is based on the calculation of NDVI to have the calculation of the Vegetation Condition Index VCI, which also indicate the severe and sustainable nature of the drought in this area. This index was calculated using GIS, QGis and Arc Gis, and Landsat satellite imagery scenes. After a comparative study of these years from 1984 to 2020, the evolution of the VCI index was highlighted.