270
Table 15.2 Cause-and-effect relationships exemplified for earthen architecture, oasis agriculture
and the Ahwash ritual
Observed change
Impacts on the environment
Physical and socio-economic
impacts
Earthen architecture
Traditional earthen buildings are
increasingly being replaced by
modern steel skeleton
constructions (Fig. 15.8a); in the
past, local clay deposits were
used, today large quantities of
sand are required for the
concrete
Since desert sand is not
suitable for the production
of concrete and the
availability of river sand is
very limited, sand from
coastal areas is increasingly
being used
The exploitation of sand on
Moroccan coasts has led to
the degradation of beaches,
dunes, and marine
ecosystems (Moussaid
et al. 2015)
Modern construction
methods produce residues
(steel, concrete) that are
difficult to degrade
Modern design is accompanied
by deterioration of thermal
comfort (Baglioni 2010)
Earthen buildings that are
historically significant and
attractive to tourism are lost; in
this way, the region reduces its
tourist potential and thus
important sources of income
Knowledge about earthen
architecture, which represents an
important intangible cultural
heritage, is lost
Scenery for the Ahwash ritual is
impaired which might affect its
spirituality
Oasis agriculture
Decreasing number of people
working in agriculture; fewer
people farming larger areas
more intensively (Ait el Kaid;
personal communication)
Land use intensification
increases pressure on water
resources; construction of
deeper wells leads to
lowering of the
groundwater level, so that
during dry periods, water
scarcity will become more
severe
Further land use
intensification will
probably result in a
deterioration of the
microclimate, soil
properties, and
agrodiversity
According to climate
models (Karmaoui et al.
2014, 2016), it is likely that
climatic extreme events
such as droughts will
increase
Modernization of the
traditional water system
(concrete canals, drip
irrigation; Fig. 15.8b),
leaving behind heavily
degradable residues
Traditional knowledge on
collective water management is
being lost
It is likely that agriculture will
continue to develop towards
intensification and market
orientation; this would mean a
stronger concentration on a few
producers and possibly a
stronger involvement of external
actors (Ait el Kaid; personal
communication)
In the worst this development
could weaken the community
and cause conflicts over the
scarce water resource
(continued)
U. Nehren et al.
Table 15.2 Cause-and-effect relationships exemplified for earthen architecture, oasis agriculture
and the Ahwash ritual
Observed change
Impacts on the environment
Physical and socio-economic
impacts
Earthen architecture
Traditional earthen buildings are
increasingly being replaced by
modern steel skeleton
constructions (Fig. 15.8a); in the
past, local clay deposits were
used, today large quantities of
sand are required for the
concrete
Since desert sand is not
suitable for the production
of concrete and the
availability of river sand is
very limited, sand from
coastal areas is increasingly
being used
The exploitation of sand on
Moroccan coasts has led to
the degradation of beaches,
dunes, and marine
ecosystems (Moussaid
et al. 2015)
Modern construction
methods produce residues
(steel, concrete) that are
difficult to degrade
Modern design is accompanied
by deterioration of thermal
comfort (Baglioni 2010)
Earthen buildings that are
historically significant and
attractive to tourism are lost; in
this way, the region reduces its
tourist potential and thus
important sources of income
Knowledge about earthen
architecture, which represents an
important intangible cultural
heritage, is lost
Scenery for the Ahwash ritual is
impaired which might affect its
spirituality
Oasis agriculture
Decreasing number of people
working in agriculture; fewer
people farming larger areas
more intensively (Ait el Kaid;
personal communication)
Land use intensification
increases pressure on water
resources; construction of
deeper wells leads to
lowering of the
groundwater level, so that
during dry periods, water
scarcity will become more
severe
Further land use
intensification will
probably result in a
deterioration of the
microclimate, soil
properties, and
agrodiversity
According to climate
models (Karmaoui et al.
2014, 2016), it is likely that
climatic extreme events
such as droughts will
increase
Modernization of the
traditional water system
(concrete canals, drip
irrigation; Fig. 15.8b),
leaving behind heavily
degradable residues
Traditional knowledge on
collective water management is
being lost
It is likely that agriculture will
continue to develop towards
intensification and market
orientation; this would mean a
stronger concentration on a few
producers and possibly a
stronger involvement of external
actors (Ait el Kaid; personal
communication)
In the worst this development
could weaken the community
and cause conflicts over the
scarce water resource
(continued)
U. Nehren et al.