Hypsometrical Approach as a Decision Tool for Rational Man - agement and Planning of Watersheds to Meet Sustainable Development

Abstract

Social and economical developments increase the degradation of natural resources. These changes modify the natural state of the environment, exert stresses on water, soil and vegetation and consequently affect people's life. Sustainable management of these resources requires integrated management approaches at the watershed scale level. This work reports on a hypsometrical approach that uses watershed's physical, hydrological, and biological data. This approach allows the user to relatively compare the effects of different future and current management scenarios and make choice on ways to improve or at least preserve the environment and natural resources. Location of the Study AreaFoum Tillicht basin (Figure 1) is located in the south of Morocco within the Midelt province (Aqid et al., 2002(1)). The area 99

Hypsometrical Technique Automated as a Decision Support System, Assessment of Environmental Indicators in Loukkos Basin in Morocco

“…The figure The objective is to improve the socio-economic level and living standards. We can put any hypsometrical distribution together to assess watershed potential, fit any need, measure the impact, analyze the interaction between indicators, and finally check their relations within the watershed [2]. The current research emphasis on automating hypsometrical approach as decision support system.…”

“…This study reports on an automated approach called Hypsometrical Approach based on different quantifiable indicators. This approach analyses future situations and allows making prospects based on different socio-economical evolution scenarios [2]. The basic data needed for this approach are watershed characterization, embody geometry, morphology, geology, soil, and land cover/use.…”