Speaker
Description
The oases of southeastern Morocco, integral to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since November 10, 2000, and pillars of the region's cultural and economic identity, face escalating anthropogenic and climatic pressures. These pressures have a significant impact on both local populations and biodiversity. The long-term survival of these oases is jeopardized by the overexploitation of water resources, driven by the expansion of date palm cultivation and the introduction of water-intensive crops, coupled with falling water tables, the drying up of traditional khettaras, and increasing fires. These profound changes challenge traditional lifestyles and urgently necessitate adapted public policies.
This study analyzes climate risk in four specific palm groves in southeastern Morocco (Asrir, Albour, Ktaa Oued, and Tizgaghin) using the IPCC AR6 framework (Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability). Key hazards include increasing drought, heatwaves, floods, and fires. Exposure is high, directly affecting local populations, the date palm economy, oasis biodiversity, and vital infrastructure. Vulnerability is multifaceted, exacerbated by economic reliance on date palms, unsustainable water resource management, fragile traditional lifestyles, and often rigid irrigation systems. Our research precisely assesses these factors for each palm grove, integrating their unique socio-economic and ecological dynamics through a participatory approach. This in-depth understanding of climate risk is crucial for developing effective Nature-based Solutions (NBS) to strengthen resilience to ongoing climate challenges.
Keywords: Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability, Climate risk, Nature-based Solutions (NBS)
