Socio-Ecological Assessment of Khenifiss Lagoon (Southern Morocco) through an Ecosystem Services Framework for Sustainable Integrated Coastal Management

¹ Provincial Directorate (DP) of Laayoune, Regional Academy of Education and Training (AREF) Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Laayoune, Morocco
² Research Laboratory in Applied and Marine Geosciences, Geotechnics and Geohazards (LR3G), Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Esaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
³ Nautical Science and Naval Engineering Department, Higher Institute of Maritime Studies, Km 7, Road El Jadida, Casablanca, B.P. 20520, Morocco
⁴ Marine Geosciences and Soil Sciences Laboratory (URAC 45), Faculty of Sciences, Chouaïb Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
⁵ Center of Coastal and Sea, Chouaib Doukkali University, EL Jadida, Morocco.

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Coastal lagoons are vital for biodiversity and human well-being but face significant challenges from both natural and human pressures. This study applies the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) framework to evaluate how changes in ecosystem services (ES) affect human well-being in Khenifiss Lagoon (KL). Drawing on a multi-decadal analysis of scientific literature complemented by 2022-2024 field observations, the study identifies key drivers influencing the lagoon's ecosystem services. These drivers include natural factors such as environmental configuration, climatic conditions, and sea level rise, alongside human activities like population growth, economic exploitation, tourism, fishing, and salt extraction. Consequently, challenges such as increased sedimentation, poor waste management, and habitat degradation threaten regulating, provisioning, supporting and cultural services, resulting in biodiversity loss and adverse effects on local livelihoods and the lagoon's ecological balance. To address these issues, integrated management strategies are crucial, focusing on waste management, sustainable tourism, adaptive monitoring, community-based conservation, and raising awareness among locals and tourists, while ensuring that future projects respect ecological balance and prioritize sustainable resource use.