Sharing scarce resources in a Mediterranean River basin: Wadi Merguellil in central Tunisia

• Published in: River Basin Trajectories Vol. No. 8; pp. 147 - 170
• Main Authors: Goulven, P. le, Leduc, C, Bachta, M. S, Poussin, J. C
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Wallingford, UK CABI 2009
• Subjects: Africa; agricultural development; Agriculture & related industries; case studies; Developing Countries; Francophone Africa; groundwater; Hydrology (freshwater); Maghreb; Management of land & natural resources; Mediterranean Region; North Africa; precipitation trapping; rain; rainfall; runoff; runoff collection; semiarid zones; soil conservation; spatial distribution; Threshold Countries; water conservation; water distribution; water flow; water harvesting; water management; water policy; water resource management; water resources; water use; Tunisia
• ISBN: 9781845935382; 1845935381
• DOI: 10.1079/9781845935382.0147

The Merguellil basin located in the semi-arid zones of Tunisia provides an ideal case study to analyse the effect of the progressive establishment of water infrastructure, its use by various segments of the population and their impact on the spatial and social distribution of water resources. It also provides the opportunity to examine the modes of governance, as well as the economic and regulatory tools which might assist in the control of access to water resources. The physical properties, rainfall, surface runoff, groundwater and their changes with time in the Merguellil basin are characterized. The development and settlement of the basin through history is presented. The impacts of public policies, and the present agriculture and water uses on the Merguellil basin are discussed. Agricultural development of the basin upstream and assessment of water uses are discussed, including agricultural development and water use downstream of the El Haouareb dam and assessment of flows in the entire basin. The impacts and valorization of water-harvesting structures in the upper basin are presented. Possible or planned changes, future soil and water conservation works, and groundwater management are discussed.