Mapping the way to wetland conservation: A geomatic approach for the Oran region

Wetlands, like any other ecosystem, have important characteristics (hydrology, soil, vegetation) that distinguish them from other ecosystems and allow them to provide vital habitats for insects, fish, birds, and other wildlife. Wetlands in the Wilaya of Oran, Algeria, include the Great Sebkha, the marshes of Macta, Lake Telamine, and the salt pans of Arzew, all known for their rich diversity of fauna and flora, are known worldwide for their ecological importance. The objective of this work is to develop an operational geomatic approach for the delineation, evaluation and use of information on North African wetlands. The Digital Atlas made it possible to highlight another aspect of this significant diversity of wetlands in western Algeria, through a new technique for presenting the results used in a web mapping. In the context of global changes driving a steep erosion of biodiversity, this study shows the importance of wetlands in western Algeria and allows citizens to learn about the richness, beauty and extent of their natural heritage. It contributes to public awareness and provides a valuable assessment and evaluation tool available to decision makers and professionals in the field of nature management and conservation. The findings of this study demonstrate, among other things, that considerable scientific advances of a practical kind may be made in the field of remote sensing. These can potentially be linked to managers' needs for tools to inventory and delineate wetlands and to monitor wetland development and conservation status. The Digital Atlas made it possible to discover another aspect of the consequent diversity of North African wetlands, through a new technique of presenting results in the context of web mapping.