atmosphere Article GIS-Based Land Suitability and Crop Vulnerability Assessment under Climate Change in Chtouka Ait Baha, Morocco Marieme Seif-Ennasr 1,*, Lhoussaine Bouchaou 1,2 , Zine El Abidine El Morjani 3, Abdelaziz Hirich 4, El Hassane Beraaouz 1 and Redouane Choukr-Allah 5 1 Applied Geology and Geoenvironment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco;
[email protected] (L.B.);
[email protected] (E.H.B.) 2 International Water Research Institute, (IWRI), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco 3 Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, Ibn Zohr University, Taroudant 83000, Morocco;
[email protected] 4 African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Laayoune 70000, Morocco;
[email protected] 5 Agronomic and Veterinary Medicine Hassan II Institute, Rabat 10000, Morocco;
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[email protected]; Tel.: +212-665616271 Received: 22 September 2020; Accepted: 4 October 2020; Published: 29 October 2020 Abstract: Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economic development in Morocco, contributing to 14% of the national gross domestic product. However, this sector is facing various challenges, including climate change. This study aims to assess relevant indicators that may affect land suitability, water demand, and crop growing season duration under climate change. Further, it may be used as a decision support tool in the Chtouka area known for its irrigated agriculture. The approach proposed, the spatial distribution of land based on suitability, is founded on the multiple-criteria decision-making method of four parameters; soil texture, temperature, land use, and slope. The duration of the length of crop season was simulated using the concept of growing degree days.