Moroccan oases confront climate crisis with innovative strategies

Morocco’s oasis ecosystems face an existential threat as climate change disrupts the ancient balance between communities and their environment.

At the recent International Congress on Oases and Date Palm, held May 22-23 in Ouarzazate, Mustapha Faouzi, territorial director of the National Agency for the Development of Oases and Argan Tree (ANDZOA), discussed the pressing challenges these vital ecosystems encounter. The event gathered international experts to deliberate on the theme of “resilience and adaptation of oasis ecosystems to climate change.”

“In oases, there used to be a balance between the population and the environment,” Faouzi explained, emphasizing that these ecosystems traditionally thrived on subsistence farming, reliant on local production. However, climate change has shattered this equilibrium, leading to extreme phenomena such as fires and floods.

The repercussions of these climatic changes significantly impact the quality of life for oasis residents. Faouzi highlighted the urgent need for action as ANDZOA embarks on multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing water mobilization and rejuvenating aging palm groves.

Three major challenges confront the agency: improving socio-economic conditions that lag behind regional averages, preserving the delicate ecosystems of the oases, and attracting investment for scientific research while securing international funding. Concrete actions include drilling wells, distributing firefighting equipment, providing laboratory-grown plants, and training young farmers in sustainable practices.

Water scarcity remains the most critical threat to the survival of these oases, exacerbated by soil and water salinization. “Without water, we can only talk about the decline or even the end of oases,” Faouzi cautioned, advocating for a paradigm shift toward reusing non-conventional water sources and optimizing existing supplies through technological advancements.

Despite these formidable challenges, Faouzi expresses a sense of optimism. “We are already on track with new technologies, adaptation methods, and development approaches,” he stated. The international congress presents essential opportunities for exchanging experiences with other oasis countries, enabling Morocco to learn from successful strategies implemented elsewhere. “This reassures us and gives us hope for a better future for our oases,” Faouzi concluded.