Assessment of the environmental health status of the Marchica lagoon (Morocco, Mediterranean) using Cymodocea nodosa meadows and its associated macrofauna: preliminary results

Abstract

The Marchica lagoon is the single lagoon on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Beside its ecological and socio-economic values, the lagoon is under pressure of a complex mixture of human-mediated stressors (urbanization, pollution, overfishing, tourism, etc.). Nowadays, many institutional efforts have been undertaken to establish a sustainable management plan of the lagoon in the context of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) approach. Thus, understanding how these stressors impact upon ecological status and ecosystem services is a sound step for any efficient integral management. Based on sampling performed on June 2014, the present work aimed at assessing the ecological quality status (ES) of the northern part of the lagoon using Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson meadows and benthic macrofauna. 16 stations (11 with C. nodosa and 5 on bare sediment) were sampled using a Van Veen grab. Preliminary results showed differences between stations. Shoots biomass fluctuated between 8.02 and 61.2 g dw m -2 while the roots-rhizomes biomass oscillated between 10.8 and 235.5 g dw m -2 . The root-rhizome and leaf biomass ratio revealed high values (up to 10.8) in the central sector suggesting a potential nutrient enrichment. Benthic macrofauna revealed the presence of 90 species belonging to six zoological groups and dominated by crustaceans, molluscs and polychaetes. The assessment of the ecological quality status, based on benthic macrofauna, was evaluated using Biotic Indices (AMBI, M-AMBI, Benthix, BITS). The results showed partial agreement between single index-derived ES and underlined the dependency of these biotic indices on the habitat characteristics, on the one hand, and the necessity to define specific reference conditions to the Marchica lagoon.PeerJ PrePrints | https://dx.doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.1082v1 | CC-BY 4.0 Open Access |

Polychaete diversity and assemblage structure in the Oualidia Lagoon, Moroccan Atlantic coast

“…Previous studies on the lagoon functioning, including the macrofaunal component, have already been carried out in some of the few Mediterranean Moroccan lagoons. These include the deep Nador lagoon, also known as Marchica (Guelorget et al ., 1987; El Kamcha et al ., 2015) and the shallower Smir lagoon (Chaouti & Bayed, 2008). In the Atlantic coast, the macrofauna has also been studied in a few lagoons, such as Merja Zerga (Bazaïri et al ., 2003), Khnifiss (Bayed et al , 1988; Dakki & de Ligny, 1988; Lefrere et al ., 2015) and Oualidia.…”

Sustainable tourism development and coastal management in the Marchica lagoon (Eastern Moroccan Mediterranean coast)

“…Sustainable tourism, a concept that advocates for responsible practices that minimize negative environmental and socio-cultural impacts while maximizing economic benefits, has emerged as the guiding principle for the lagoon's development [3][4][5][6][7][8]. However, achieving this balance presents a complex set of challenges, demanding innovative solutions and a concerted effort from all stakeholders.…”

“…The Marchica lagoon, a treasured coastal ecosystem in northeastern Morocco, faces an imminent threat from anthropogenic activities [4].…”