Sociospatial Transformations and Their Impact on Water Resources in Aïn Tizgha Commune, Ben Slimane Province (Morocco): A Geographic Analysis Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Abstract

This study analyzes sociospatial transformations and their impacts on surface and groundwater resources in Aïn Tizgha commune, Ben Slimane Province, Morocco, over recent decades. It examines how land-use change, agricultural expansion, demographic growth, and evolving human activities have reshaped local water dynamics. A geographic analytical approach was employed, integrating remote sensing data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to monitor spatial transformations and evaluate their effects on water availability and sustainability. Multi-temporal satellite imagery and spatial datasets were processed within a GIS framework to identify land-use change patterns and indicators of water resource stress. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between sociospatial transformations and water resource degradation, reflected in the contraction of seasonal watercourses, declining groundwater levels, and increasing water stress. These findings underscore the necessity of adopting integrated and sustainable territorial and water management strategies adapted to the environmental constraints of rural areas.