Paving the Way for Social Learning When Governance Is Weak: Supporting Dialogue Between Stakeholders to Face a Groundwater Crisis in Morocco

Approaches to improve the governance of social–ecological systems are difficult to define in situations where governance is weak, that is, involving limited interactions between the actors and weak management of natural resources. This article analyzes an action research process implemented in the Chaouia coastal region of Morocco, where weak governance of the social–ecological system led to a groundwater and agricultural crisis. A dialogue between local actors was set up with the aim of identifying strategies to address the crisis. First separately and then together, farmers’ groups and staff members of public organizations analyzed the existing situation, scenarios for the future of the area, and strategies to cope with the crisis. Contrary to the expectations of the participants, farmers and staff members of public organizations had productive discussions. This approach clarified how social learning can be achieved and governance improved in this situation of weak governance.     

Première caractérisation palynologique du Trias moyen dans le Haut Atlas ; implications pour l'initiation du rifting téthysien au Maroc

The Middle Anisian has been palynologically characterized for the first time, at the whole Moroccan scale, in the High Atlas of Marrakech. The stratigraphic, tectonic and paleogeographic implications of this discovery are analysed. To cite this article: E.H. El Arabi et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Magma–host interactions during differentiation and emplacement of a shallow-level, zoned granitic pluton (Tarçouate pluton, Morocco): implications for magma emplacement

The Tarçouate pluton (Anti-Atlas, Morocco) is an inversely zoned laccolith emplaced 583 Ma ago into low-grade metasediments, with the following succession: leucocratic granites, biotite–granodiorites (±monzodiorites), hornblende–granodiorites (±monzodiorites) and monzodiorites syn-plutonic dykes. These rocks form two distinct, chemically coherent, units:

(1) A main unit consists of layered (572<59 wt.%) and homogeneous (632<67%) hornblende–granodiorites, biotite–granodiorites (672<72%) and aplites (702<76%). All these rocks are metaluminous to peraluminous and display fractionated HREE depleted patterns (La/Yb_N=14–61; Yb_N=0.7–6.8). Initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7072 to 0.7080) increase, whereas _Nd(t) values (−1.7 to −2.8) decrease from the hornblende– to the biotite–granodiorites. Monzodiorites occur as mafic microgranular enclaves or syn-plutonic dykes.

(2) A subordinate unit consists of leucocratic, distinctly peraluminous, muscovite-bearing granites (722<75%) occurring at the northern edge of the pluton and as dykes in the surrounding schists towards the top of the pluton. These rocks are free of monzodioritic enclaves. They display less fractionated patterns with higher HREE contents (La/Yb_N=2–19; Yb_N=11–18), a distinct _Nd(t) value (−11.8) and a ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio (0.7480) within those of the surrounding schists (0.7393–0.7819).

Magma–host interactions are closely related to differentiation and occurred at different levels, but mainly before emplacement. Field relationships and petrogenetic modelling show that the bt–granodiorites formed at levels deeper than the level of emplacement, by fractional crystallisation (0.65

These data preclude any significant material transfer process for the emplacement of the Tarçouate pluton, but rather suggest assembly of successive pulses of variably differentiated crystal-poor magmas. These shallow level granitic plutons can be considered as an end-member of magma emplacement with minimum interactions with the country rocks.     

The polymetallic Au–Ag-bearing veins of Bou Madine (Jbel Ougnat, eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco): tectonic control and evolution of a Neoproterozoic epithermal deposit

The Bou Madine ore deposit is located SW of Jbel Ougnat, the easternmost inlier of the Anti-Atlas Pan-African belt in Morocco. The host rocks are high-K calc-alkaline volcanic rocks, that are part of the Neoproterozoic Tamerzaga-Timrachine Formation (TTF, lower PIII). The TTF consists of ignimbrites of rhyolitic to dacitic compositions, andesite flows and hypovolcanic bodies (andesite dykes and rhyolite chonoliths) emplaced along N160°E tension gashes associated with a regional N30°E sinistral fault system. The mineralization is related to a high enthalpy geothermal system, eventually evolving into a low temperature epithermal system. A regional propylitisation (T around 260 °C) overprinted the TTF rocks prior to the emplacement of the mineralization. There were two main hydrothermal stages. During the first stage, massive veins with pyrite, arsenopyrite and minor pyrrhotite and cassiterite were formed. The veins were emplaced along N160°E-trending en echelon joints related to N120°E dextral arrays. A quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration overprinted the propylites around the veins (“bleached haloes”), at temperatures up to 300–310 °C. The second stage of mineralization was coeval with dextral re-activation of the N160°E veins, in relation with a NE-ward shift of the shortening direction. First, polymetallic sulphides (sphalerite, chalcopyrite, stannite, galena) were deposited at temperatures 260 °C. Younger quartz veinlets contain arsenopyrite and minor micrometre-size sulphides and sulpho-salts, hosting the precious metals. This was the low temperature epithermal stage (≈150 °C), in relation with invading meteoric water.     

Development of igneous layering during growth of pluton: The Tarçouate Laccolith (Morocco)

We discuss the significance of igneous layering with respect to pluton growth processes. The case study is the Tarçouate Laccolith (Morocco), whose core consists of modally layered hornblende granodiorites with high amount of monzodioritic enclaves, contrasting with peripheral, non-layered biotite granodiorites with low amount of enclaves. Rhythmic layering, with modal grading, cross-stratification and trough layering is associated with monzodioritic layers and wraps around mafic enclaves. Its steep dips ≥ 45° result from tilting that occurred above solidus conditions, as indicated by sub-vertical and synmagmatic granite, aplite and monzodiorite dykes cutting across the layering.The systematic association of igneous layering with mafic enclaves in calc-alkaline plutons suggests that layering originates from recurrent injection of mafic magma. Viscosity calculations suggest that the physicochemical properties of magma alone cannot account for the presence of layering in the central hornblende granodiorite and its coeval absence in the peripheral biotite granodiorite of the Tarçouate Laccolith. Intermittent pulses of hot mafic magma into crystallizing granodiorite likely produced thermal perturbations able to trigger local convection, formation of mafic enclaves and development of igneous layering through protracted crystallization.     

Improving the reliability of landslide susceptibility mapping through spatial uncertainty analysis: a case study of Al Hoceima,Northern Morocco

This paper aims at providing an answer as to whether generalization obtained with data-driven modelling can be used to gauge the plausibility of the physically based (PB) model’s prediction. Two statistical models namely; Weight of Evidence (WofE) and Logistic Regression (LR), and a PB model using the infinite slope assumptions were evaluated and compared with respect to their abilities to predict susceptible areas to shallow landslides at the 1:10.000 urban scale. Threshold-dependent performance metrics showed that the three methods produced statistically comparable results in terms of success and prediction rates. However, with the Area Under the receiver operator Curve (AUC), statistical models are more accurate (88.7 and 84.6% for LR and WofE, respectively) than the PB model (only 69.8%). Nevertheless, in such data-sparse situation, the usual approaches for validation, i.e. comparing observed with predicted data, are insufficient, formal uncertainty analysis (UA) is a means for evaluating the validity and reliability of the model. We then refitted the PB model using a stochastic modification of the infinite slope stability model input scheme using Monte Carlo (MC) method backed with sensitivity analysis (SA). For statistical models, we used an informal Student t-test for estimating the certainty of the predicted probability (PP) at each location. Both modelling outputs independently show a high validity; and whereas the level of confidence in LR and WofE models remained the same after performance re-evaluation, the accuracy of the PB model showed an improvement (AUC = 72%). This result is reasonable and provides a further validation of PB model. So, in urban slope analysis, where PB diagnostic is necessary, statistical and PB modelling may play equally supportive roles in landslide hazard assessment.     

HydrIS:一个用于地下水管理的开放的GIS决策支持系统——以Morocco为例(英文)

A regional groundwater management system has been elaborated, integrating Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) and various web services. It consists of web geospatial application so-called HydrIS ( Hydrogeological Information System) based on Open Source components and technologies, leading to a feasible and low-cost solution. Therefore, HydrIS permits delivery of data from a number of heterogeneous sources to standards supported by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). The protocols used for exchanging data are also derived from OGC standards, i.e., WMS (Web Mapping Service), WFS (Web Feature Service), and WCS (Web Coverage Service). Finally, a geoportal was developed, which consists of client-applications that communicate with different Web Services (WMS, WCS, and WFS) through http-requests. A prototype for web-based GIS application was designed using the deegree Framework to provide systematic interfaces and functions. This system was developed to demonstrate the value of making hydrogeological data more widely accessible through client/server architecture. This experience and knowledge already gained in this project will be a source for technology transfer and policy decisions. Otherwise, this will enable user groups to improve the management of their groundwater resources and contribute to enhanced decision support capabilities.      

Géochimie et signification géotectonique des volcanites du Cryogénien inférieur du Saghro (Anti-Atlas oriental,Maroc) / Geochemistry and geotectonic significance of Early Cryogenian volcanics of Saghro (Eastern Anti-Atlas,Morocco)

Abstract

The Early Cryogenian groups of Sidi Flah, Kelaat Mgouna and Boumalne (Saghro, Anti-Atlas, Morocco) are constituted by turbiditic deposits and interbedded lavas, accumulated in tectonic basins. At Sidi Flah, volcanics are transitional showing initial rift tholeiites (IRT) fingerprint and alkali basalts of oceanic island basalt (OIB) compositions. At Kelaat Mgouna, volcanics consist of low-Nb continental tholeiites. At Boumalne, basalts are of IRT composition. The volcanic and sedimentary formations belong to a nascent rift caused by thermal doming along a SW-NE axis, the Saghro rift. The continental break-up occurred in the early Neopro- terozoic and during the Rodinia supercontinent dislocation, within a continent called “Ibero-saharian Craton” which was in front of the West-African Craton located near the South Pole. The Saghro rift is contemporaneous to the opening of an oceanic domain represented by Central Anti-Atlas ophiolites and related to the extension of the Brazialiano Ocean. © 2001 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS     

A fossil aardvark (Mammalia, Tubulidentata) from the lower Pliocene of Chad

The Mission Paléoanthropologique Franco-Tchadienne (MPFT) found a new species of Orycteropodidae (Mammalia, Tubulidentata) in the Kollé fossiliferous sector, northern Chad. After Orycteropus abundulafus [Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20 (1) (2000) 205–209; Lehmann, T., Vignaud, P., Likius A., Brunet M., in press. A new Orycteropodidae (Mammalia, Tubulidentata) in the Mio-Pliocene of Northern Chad. Zool. J. Linnean Soc.], this specimen is the second complete skeleton of fossil aardvark found in the Djurab desert. It is the first complete representative of an Orycteropus species found in the Pliocene of Africa. In regard to the Miocene fossil aardvarks, this new taxon, Orycteropus djourabensis nov. sp., shows more affinities with the extant O. afer. The main differences are the larger teeth and the shorter hand in the fossil form. Kossom Bougoudi and Kollé represent a chronological series that gives a unique opportunity for studying the evolution of the African Tubulidentata around the Mio-Pliocene boundary (5.5-4 My). The new species is distinct from the older Chadian Orycteropodid from KB and it embodies the taxonomic turnover that took place within the order Tubulidentata around this boundary in Africa. Moreover, this new species is the oldest known Orycteropus species that clearly belongs to the modern forms including the extant aardvark.     

New material of Anancus kenyensis (proboscidea, mammalia) from Toros-Menalla (Late Miocene, Chad): Contribution to the systematics of African anancines

New fossil remains of the proboscidean genus Anancus are described. Among them, a complete skull allows us to revisit for the first time the entire Chadian Anancus fossil record. This genus occurred in the Old World from the late Miocene up to the early Pleistocene. The analysis of dental and cranial characters was allowed individual variations from specific characters to be distinguished. In this study we show that Anancus kenyensis and Anancus osiris are very likely synonym taxa which leads us to emend the diagnosis of A. kenyensis. In addition, this study shows that dental characters in anancines lineage are of little significance for biostratigraphical inference, by contrast to previous works. This study brings new data about the phylogenetical and palaeobiogeographical history of the African anancines.