Title: An integrated modelling approach for sustainable development of the UNESCO classified ecosystem (Ichkeul Lake, North Africa)

Authors: Béchir Béjaoui; Sihem Benabdallah; Mohamed Mekki Ben Jemaa; Sabrine Sahbani; Houaida Bouali; Rachid Toujani; Afef Fathalli; Noureddine Zaaboub; Nabiha Ben Mbarek; Rihab Riahi; Hamidreza Norouzi; Reginald A. Blake

Addresses: National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies, 28 Street du 2 March 1934, Carthage Salammbô, 2035, Tunisia ' Center for Water Research and Technology, Borj Cedria Technopole, Route touristique de Soliman bp 273, 8020, Tunisia ' University of Carthage, Avenue de la République BP 77-1054, Amilcar, Tunisia ' National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia, 43 Av. Charles Nicolle, Tunis, 1082, Tunisia ' National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies, 28 Street du 2 March 1934, Carthage Salammbô, 2035, Tunisia ' National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies, 28 Street du 2 March 1934, Carthage Salammbô, 2035, Tunisia ' National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies, 28 Street du 2 March 1934, Carthage Salammbô, 2035, Tunisia ' National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies, 28 Street du 2 March 1934, Carthage Salammbô, 2035, Tunisia ' National Environnemental Protection Agency, Immeuble ICF – Centre Urbain Nord – 1080 Tunis, Tunisia ' Research Unit of Geotechnical and Geo-Risk Engineering LR14ES03, National School of Engineers of Tunis (ENIT), Campus universitaire, BP 37, 1002, Le Bélvédère, 1002, Tunis, Tunisia ' New York City College of Technology, The City University of New York, 300 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA ' New York City College of Technology, The City University of New York, 300 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a simulation study on the impact of integrating water intake and output for and from Lake Ichkeul, a Ramsar and UNESCO reserve wetland in North Tunisia. Three scenarios were simulated over nine years, with varying amounts of freshwater injected into the lake from different dams. The study showed that a non-active lake management policy would result in severe ecosystem degradation, with the lake eventually becoming a salt marsh. Under the status quo, the area and density of Potamogeton would decrease dramatically and the number of migratory birds would rapidly decline. The second scenario would allow the ecosystem to be barely resilient and maintain itself, while the third scenario would lead to long-term sustainability and stabilise all ecosystem components. The results of the present study have implications for water management policies and the preservation of the unique biodiversity of the Ichkeul Lake ecosystem.

Keywords: Ichkeul Lake; water management; ecosystem resilience; wetland conservation; scenarios.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2026.153225

International Journal of Water, 2026 Vol.17 No.3, pp.208 - 229

Published online: 29 Apr 2026 *

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