Global Warming Impacts on Morocco

Morocco's Royal Institute for Strategic Studies (IRES) has warned that global warming is having an impact on the Kingdom's biodiversity, claiming that if nothing is done to fight climate change, nearly 22% of the countries flora could disappear by 2050

The Royal Institute for Strategic Studies (IRES) was established in November 2007 and tasked with contributing to decision-making on strategic issues. Its mission is to carry out strategic studies and analyses on issues as advised by His Majesty The King and to be entrusted with a strategic watch task, both at the national and international level, in fields deemed strategic for the country.

The Institute's recent report on the global issues of the biosphere points out that several species of birds and mammals may disappear because of drought, while 9% are already endangered, 7% listed as vulnerable and another 7% critically endangered.

Endangered mammals in Morocco include: the Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus, Barbary Sheep (Ammotragus lervia), Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), Dorcas Gazelle (Gazella dorcas), Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra), Geoffroy's Bat (Myotis emarginatus),Greater Short-tailed Gerbil (Gerbillus maghrebi). (Endemic to Morocco.) Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).

Greater Short-tailed Gerbil

The endangered Greater Short-tailed Gerbil is endemic to northern Morocco. It is found from the southeastern slopes of the Rif Mountains and the Gharb plain, to Chaouia and southwards to Jbilets.

Morocco is prone to drought

A major cause of climate stress in Morocco is attributed to a shortage of water, with an expected decline of about 20% to 50% of precipitation by the end of the century.

While Morocco is already in a situation of water stress, with the equivalent of 600 m3 / capita per year by 2050, demographic pressure and climate change, the water capital per capita could fall to less than 500 m3 per year, the report said.

"Morocco would face a water shortage and therefore to the cost of production and exploitation of water resources that are increasingly high," said IRES.

Another consequence of climate change: the increased vulnerability of soils, especially because of the growing needs of the agricultural sector. "The soils are already suffering from the degradation that occurs, especially through deforestation, land clearing and land cover changes," notes the report.

In 2050, land degradation could reduce the agricultural area per capita 0.15 hectare against 0.24 currently.

Fish stocks are also under threat, while fish stocks are already experiencing degradation due mainly to poor management of coastal areas, to polluting discharges into the seas and overfishing.

Rising sea levels could finally lead, by 2050, the flooding of low-lying coasts, and coastal erosion could take almost half of the area of ​​Moroccan beaches, and up to 72% over 2100.

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