Approche critique de la littoralisation sur le changement environnemental : Cas du littoral de la région de Mostaganem (Nord-Ouest, Algérie)

Abstract

Located between the sea and the mainland, the coastline is a space generally composed of a sandy substrate forming the dune cordon where a psammophile fauna and flora has developed. It is constantly shaped by the winds and wave swells that ensure balance in sand exchanges. Threatened by unprecedented littoralization, this fragile ecosystem is subject to forms of degradation that are often irreversible. This work focuses on a critical diachronic approach (1984 and 2022) to land use patterns in order to identify their impacts on the coastline of the Mostaganem region (North-West, Algeria). Thus, several cases of installations classified for the protection of the environment (ICPE) have been found along the coast thus creating sources of pollution and / or major risks for the populations. Thus, the analysis of the different situations has shown that an industrial zone has been installed on a flood-prone region closely linked to the coast, a development of intensive plasticulture along the coast leading to agricultural and landscape pollution, a seaside resort with a high concentration at Sablettes beach, a wastewater treatment plant with discharge into the sea, a flour mill in the middle of urban areas, an anarchic urban extension on irrigable fertile agricultural land and on the dune cordon, two strategic projects in a place with a high natural risk (tsunami), proliferation of dwellings on the major bed of the Wadi Cheliff (overflow). All these actions on the coast are of anthropogenic origin and the impacts on the environment are catastrophic. The review of coastal spatial development plans requires more reflection with suggestions for a better future of the coastline in a framework of sustainable development.