Climate Change and Its Impacts on Oases Ecosystem in Morocco

Abstract

Today, the international community agrees that climate change is one of the most important threats to the equilibrium of ecosystems. For its part, Morocco is not immune to this phenomenon because of climatic disturbances that the country has known for several years. Moroccan oases are among the most affected ecosystems by climate change, which has resulted in reduced yields of agricultural production, poverty, and deterioration of natural resources. The reports showed that in Morocco the area of palm groves has been significantly reduced during the last decades resulting from the upsurge of drought phenomena, soil salinity, and the spread of “Bayoud.” Therefore, the deterioration of the socio-economic and environmental importance of the date palm is well established. Aware of these issues, many actions have been initiated by the Moroccan government to preserve this ecosystem. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of how climate change affects different levels of oases ecosystem in Morocco and to propose sustainable strategies to limit degradation of this vulnerable area.

Overview of Ecological Dynamics in Morocco – Biodiversity, Water Scarcity, Climate Change, Anthropogenic Pressures, and Energy Resources – Navigating Towards Ecosolutions and Sustainable Development

“…The diverse biodiversity of Morocco, which comprises 24,000 animal and 7,000 plant species with notable endemism rates, faces degradation challenges, with over 600 endangered species and irreversible losses in certain regions [2,[13][14][15]. Pressing concerns include forest reduction, agricultural water stress, and declining mammal diversity in the Central High Atlas [16,17]. Climate change exacerbates issues in oases, impacting yields and the spread of "Bayoud" disease [16].…”

“…Pressing concerns include forest reduction, agricultural water stress, and declining mammal diversity in the Central High Atlas [16,17]. Climate change exacerbates issues in oases, impacting yields and the spread of "Bayoud" disease [16]. Urgent conservation efforts are essential for safeguarding Moroccan biodiversity [18].…”

“…Fig.9. Change in precipitation in the Mediterranean for the main rainy season from October to May (in mm) according to reduced-scale statistical assessments; differences in average precipitation over two months between two periods: 2071-2100 and 1990-2019[16].…”

“…Fig.10. Changes in the average, maximum and minimum temperatures for the 2050 and 2080 horizons in Morocco under the A2 emission scenario[16] …”

Morphological and physiological responses to drought stress of carob trees in Mediterranean ecosystems

“…In fact, CO 2 assimilation is strongly reduced, limiting leaf metabolism. This situation gives rise to a regression of forest cover in an irreversible way, with dangerous environmental consequences, such as rapid soil erosion and desertification (Mokhtar et al, 2022). The drought becomes more severe, more prolonged, and more frequent in these regions, which alters the vegetation biodiversity (Gullo et al, 2003).…”