In northern Tunisia, near the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Ichkeul Lake and its wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in Tunisia. It is an important stopping point for migratory birds, and it is also an ecologically sensitive environment exhibiting enormous diversity due to its geographical location, hydrology, biodiversity, and soil characteristics. Several dams have been built on rivers flowing into the lake, and the resulting decrease in the incoming freshwater supply has allowed for a greater backflow of water from the sea, thus impacting the main fishing activity in the lake by decreasing the eel stock. During the dry season, the water level falls to 30 cm depth while the salinity increases significantly. Fish production decreased from 110 tons in 2007 to 43 tons in 2011. In addition, the decrease of the water level has affected the food supply for migratory birds in the area.

This PEER project was focused on water management in the Ichkeul region. The PI and his colleagues investigated interrelationships among constraints on water and the supporting ecosystems under conditions of global climate and socioeconomic change. The team developed an advanced class of integrated models and support tools for decision makers, taking into account biophysical and socioeconomic drivers and governance integration for the management of Ichkeul.

Stakeholder engagement was a key priority for this project. The researchers are embedded in an active and engaged network of Tunisian scientists at three public institutions with a long history of research and development and regular cooperation with private stakeholders, governmental agencies, and local NGOs. Throughout the project, a participatory approach was used in order to implement feasible scenarios such as freshwater input, fishing controls, and infrastructures to be set up.

Final Summary of Project Activities

The researchers carried out several field surveys, in the lake and watershed, recording in situ parameters and collecting water samples. As part of calibrations for the hydrodynamic model, they deployed a meter in the Tinja channel to gauge water exchange between the lake and the lagoon. Other field campaigns were carried out to measure eel stocks. Following the field surveys, the team undertook laboratory analysis and then numerical analysis to understand the functioning of the lake.

The PEER team developed a numerical model based on Random Forest theory to estimate the impact of climate change on eel production in the lake. In addition, the data collected were used to set up the LOICZ model of Lake Ichkeul, a user-friendly tool that the team shared with several stakeholders.

The team also carried out a separate study on the socioeconomic development of the region, exploring biological, hydrological, and socioeconomic data and the potential for tourism activities.

The U.S. partners on the project, Dr. Reginald Blake and Dr. Hamid Norouzi, visited Tunisia for a week in April 2023 to collaborate with the project team and take part in a workshop organized in collaboration with fellow PEER PI Dr. Fatma Trabelsi and her U.S. partner Dr. Amir AghaKouchak. The PI Dr. Béchir Béjaoui and his co-PI Dr. Sihem Chairat Ep. Ben Abdallah of the Centre des Recherches et des Technologies des Eaux (CERTE) visited the New York City College of Technology in June 2023 to continue collaborative discussions and present their work at a seminar. As part of this project, the PEER team also established connections with organizations like the National Environmental Protection Agency (ANPE), the Water Center (CERTE), the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGPA), as well as several private companies involved in shellfish farming in the Bizerete lagoon.

As part of their dissemination efforts, the project team created the Bassiana database. which includes chemical, hydrological, and physico-chemical data and a trophic resource on the region. This database will be useful for collecting and sharing data with other institutions and researchers around the world, and the data will help policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to mitigate the impacts of dams and climate change on the water balance and salinity of Ichkeul Lake. As an example, the team used the data through a coupled model to predict the effects of climate change and anthropogenic pressures on the fishery resources of Ichkeul Lake, in particular on the European eel species Anguilla Anguilla, which constitutes 60% of the total production of the lake. Another key dissemination activity was the conference the team organized on Sustainable Water Resources Management under Climate Change, which included presentations on various aspects of sustainable water resources management influenced by climate change. They also shared their findings in a variety of conferences, including the 3rd Symposium of Young Researchers and the International Conference on Innovation and Technological Advances for Sustainability. Going forward, the team has received an additional $145,000 grant to continue research through IHE-Delft.

The team has prepared a 15-minute video on their project, including scenes from a workshop and field site visit in late June 2022, which can be accessed by clicking on the video box at top right.

Publications

M. Mosbahi, Z. Kassouk, S. Benabdallah, J. Aouissi, R. Arbi, M. Mrad, R. Blake, H. Norouzi, and B. Béjaoui. 2023. Modeling hydrological responses to land use change in
Sejnane Watershed, Northern Tunisia. Water 15, 1737. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15091737

Sabrine Sahbani, Rachid Toujani, Nabiha Ben M’Barek, Ennio Ottaviani, Eva Riccomagno, Enrico Prampolini, Hechmi Missaoui, and Bechir Bejaoui. 2022. Effect of Climate Change and anthropogenic pressures on the European eel Anguilla anguilla from RAMSAR Wetland Ichkeul Lake: prediction from the Random Forest model. In Ninth International Symposium “Monitoring of Mediterranean Coastal Areas: Problems and Measurement Techniques,” pp. 756-765. https://doi.org/10.36253/979-12-215-0030-1.72

Sabrine Sahbani, Béchir Béjaoui, Sihem Benabdallah, Rachid Toujani, Afef Fathalli, Noureddine Zaaboub, Jalel Aouissi, Zeineb Kassouk, Nabil Hamdi, Nabiha Ben Mbarek, Hechmi Missaoui, Leila Basti, Reginald Blake, and Hamid Norouzi. 2022. Systematic review of a RAMSAR wetland and UNESCO biosphere reserve in a climate change hotspot (Ichkeul Lake, Tunisia), Journal of Sea Research 190, 2022, 102288, ISSN 1385-1101, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2022.102288.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385110122001265)

B. Béjaoui, L. Basti, D.M. Canu, et al. 2022. Hydrology, biogeochemistry and metabolism in a semi-arid mediterranean coastal wetland ecosystem. Sci Rep 12, 9367 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-12936-5

B. Brik, M. Shaiek, M., L. Trabelsi, et al. 2022. Quality Status of Surface Sediments of Lake Ichkeul (NE Tunisia): an Environmental Protected Area and World Heritage Site. Water Air Soil Pollut 233, 260 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05648-z

Conferences

S. Sahbani, B. Béjaoui, E. Ottaviani, E. Riccomagno, E. Prampolini, and H. Missaoui H. 2023. Cubist and TRIX models used in combination for assessing the effect of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Pressures on Coastal Wetlands (Ichkeul Lake, RAMSAR site). Multidisciplinary Doctoral Days (Imdd23). University of Ibn Tofail, Kénitra, Morocco. 24- 26 February 2023. Slides

S. Sahbani, B. Béjaoui, S. Benabdallah, E. Ottaviani, E. Riccomagno, E. Prampolini, and H. Missaoui H. 2023. Machine Learning Techniques for Forecasting the Effect of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Pressures on Coastal Wetlands (Ichkeul Lake, Ramsar Site). International Conference on Innovation and Technological Advances for Sustainability IEEE. University of Doha, Qatar, 1-3 March 2023. Slides

S. Sahbani, B. Béjaoui, E. Ottaviani, E. Riccomagno, E. Prampolini, D.M. Canu, H. Missaoui, and C. Solidoro. 2023. Effect of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Pressures on Coastal Wetlands (Ichkeul Lake, Ramsar Site). Symposium Trends, Reflections, Evolution, and Visions in Ocean Research_ A celebration of the scientific life of Trevor Platt: 9-11 August 2023, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK. Slides

S. Sahbani, B. Béjaoui, E. Ottaviani, E. Riccomagno, E. Prampolini, D.M. Canu, H. Missaoui, and C. Solidoro. 2023. XGBoost and TRIX models used in combination to assess and diagnose the trophic state of Coastal Wetlands (Ichkeul Lake, RAMSAR site): Poster. Symposium Trends, Reflections, Evolution, and Visions in Ocean Research_ A celebration of the scientific life of Trevor Platt: 9-11 August 2023, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK


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