Urgent call to safeguard Morocco's oases amid climate crisis

Morocco’s oasis ecosystems face severe threats from climate change, requiring urgent scientific intervention to ensure their survival, according to a National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Zones (ANDZOA) official.

Bounhar El Habib, ANDZOA’s provincial director in the eastern Moroccan town of Figuig, spoke during the second International Congress on Oases and Date Palm (CIO), held on May 22-23 in Ouarzazate. This event gathered researchers from Morocco, Africa, the Arab world, and Europe to address the mounting challenges confronting these fragile desert environments.

El Habib emphasized the congress's goal to “preserve, develop, sustain, and ensure the longevity of our oases,” highlighting their vulnerable situation. He remarked on the importance of encouraging collaboration among scientists to identify and tackle emerging problems.

Research focus on three key areas

The congress organized its efforts around three critical themes: the physical environment of oases, plant biology, and socioeconomic factors affecting territorial development. The Ministry of Agriculture, ANDZOA, the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), and other partners collaborated to facilitate the event, with ANDZOA presiding over the organizing committee.

“This year, the event is organized by departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, ANDZOA, INRA, and other partners committed to ensuring the success of the congress,” El Habib explained.

Climate pressures mount

El Habib, who oversees Figuig province—one of Morocco’s largest—described how climate change poses significant threats to these ecosystems, citing “recurring years of drought, water shortages, disease, fires, and severe flooding.” These factors severely damage the oases, which are home to unique date varieties, including the endemic “Aziza of Figuig.”

Regional cooperation essential

Many Moroccan oases are located near the Algerian border, presenting opportunities for cross-border collaboration. El Habib noted that the congress served as a platform for regional dialogue. “Most of the oases are situated near the border with our Algerian neighbors. This is an opportunity to meet, discuss major challenges, and draw on scientific research to find pathways that will improve conditions,” he stated.

He stressed that these oases act as barriers against desertification and are crucial for Morocco’s environmental security. The congress aimed to support both traditional oases and expansion efforts while seeking practical solutions to ensure the sustainability of these vital ecosystems.