Climate Change and Desertification in Algeria: Assessment of Response Policies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66104/8psj7y41Keywords:
Climate change; desertification; Algeria; environmental governance; water resources; climate adaptation; land degradation.Abstract
Climate change is increasingly intensifying desertification processes in Algeria through rising temperatures, declining precipitation, recurrent droughts, vegetation degradation, soil erosion, and growing pressure on surface and groundwater resources. This study provides a narrative policy review of the relationship between climate change and desertification in Algeria and examines the main national response policies adopted to reduce environmental vulnerability and strengthen adaptation capacity. The analysis focuses on key policy areas, including afforestation programs, Green Dam rehabilitation, forest and pastoral protection, seawater desalination, wastewater treatment and reuse, water-saving measures, and sustainable groundwater management. Rather than merely describing these initiatives, the study assesses their relevance, implementation challenges, and potential contribution to climate adaptation, water security, and land-degradation control. The findings indicate that Algeria has introduced several important measures to address climate-related desertification; however, their effectiveness remains constrained by fragmented governance, limited monitoring, regional disparities, insufficient data transparency, and weak integration between climate, water, agricultural, and land-use policies. The study highlights the need for a more evidence-based, regionally differentiated, and integrated adaptation framework supported by measurable indicators, improved institutional coordination, and stronger alignment with international frameworks such as land degradation neutrality and sustainable water-resource management.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Abdelmoutalib Benfrid (Author)
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