Application of geographical information system (GIS) for the development of climatological air temperature vulnerability maps: An example from Morocco

Abstract

Air temperature conditions affect various aspects of human life through diverse pathways, such as health, agriculture, labour productivity, infrastructure and building constructions, economic production, and so on. To address better efforts at resolving this issue, decision-making tools need to be developed to identify and prioritize areas where appropriate actions are required. The present paper identifies vulnerable areas in Morocco with a focus on three different aspects: high temperatures, low temperatures and daily temperature amplitude. Maps were created using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-developed Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) 30 year-long daily maximum and minimum temperature data set. Several indicators as well as vulnerability indexes were defined and calculated. Maps showing the spatial distribution of these indicators were created. The results show that 78% of Morocco is considered to be non-vulnerable areas to areas with low vulnerability; and 19% is characterized by moderate vulnerability to the effects of temperature. The remaining areas are characterized by high to extreme vulnerability: the most vulnerable areas are located in the provinces of Figuig, Jerada and Boulemane in the eastern part of the country, as well as in the provinces of Khouribga, Fquih Ben Saleh and Settat in the central part. This implies, for example, that national-level planners in the agriculture and transport/infrastructure sectors in the central part need to take into account temperature vulnerabilities as they develop sector strategies and plans.