Moroccan Oases and climate change vulnerabilities
In Morocco, oases are particularly vulnerable to natural hazards such as droughts and wildfires. Climate change has intensified these risks by increasing temperatures and reducing precipitation, which amplifies water scarcity, dries vegetation, and makes oases more susceptible to fires.
The areas most impacted are the southern oases, especially in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, where livelihoods depend heavily on fragile water resources and oasis ecosystems. These regions already experience arid conditions, and climate change further stresses their limited water availability.
The communities most affected are local populations that rely on agriculture and pastoralism. Reduced access to water negatively affects crop production, livestock, food security, and biodiversity, leading to economic and social challenges. Women and small-scale farmers are particularly vulnerable due to their dependence on natural resources.
The main reasons for this vulnerability include prolonged climate stress, overuse of groundwater, population pressure, and limited adaptive capacity.
To cope with these challenges, communities use traditional water management practices such as khettaras (ancient underground irrigation systems), palm grove restoration, water conservation techniques, and crop diversification. Government institutions, local NGOs, and international partners also support adaptation efforts through oasis rehabilitation projects, sustainable water management programs, and climate resilience initiatives.