Application of a Geomatics Approach for the Diachronic Study of the Meditterannean Coastline Case of Tangier Bay

Abstract

The coastline is one of the country’s most important environmental and economic resources. However, it is a delicate and highly coveted environ-ment on which many factors of evolution interact, both anthropogenic and natural. This work is concerned with the diachronic study of the coastline of the Mediterranean coast, particularly the coastal fringe at the level of Tangier Bay. In order to experimentally confirm the numerical models used and to take part in the development of an accurate, reliable and rapid decision support system for the assessment and remediation of the risks of accretion and coastal erosion, the methodology followed consists of the application of automatic analytical techniques, based on a geomatics approach, using a multi-temporal photo-interpretation, a Geographical Information System (GIS) and a computerized data analysis system (DSAS: Digital Shoreline Analysis System). The change rate will be calculated from the multi-date maps (1981-96 and 2017) using the End Point Rate (EPR). To achieve our objective, the study area was divided into three sectors from East to West: El Ghandouri Beach, Malabata Beach and the municipal square adjacent to the port. The GIS analysis of the data obtained shows that the coastline is present by location and for the three periods of comparison of the remarkable zones of erosion and sedimentation.