The Chtouka West coastline

With its southern latitudinal position of 30N°, the Chtouka Ouest coastline is an extremely fragile arid to semi-arid environment. Along a 33 km stretch of coastline between the estuary of the Oued Souss and the mouth of the Oued Massa, the Chtouki coastal landscape is marked by significant morphological diversity, with varied geomorphological forms and formations. The western Chtouka coastline is home to a significant sandy cover. The development of these sandy accumulations is the result of a natural degradation of the plant cover following a succession of dry phases accentuated by extensive overgrazing and strong pressure on the physical environment. The sedimentological study of sandy material along the Chtouki coastline reflects an evolution of the material as it is transferred from the coast to the interior. This is reflected in a decrease in grain size, depletion of carbonate content and increasing eolianization of quartz grains. However, anomalies still occur due to a certain mixing of materials as a result of the diversity of sand supply sources.