In September 2024, following two rare storms, Lake Iriqui in southern Morocco experienced a remarkable revival after five decades of desiccation. Historically, the lake played an important role as one of the largest water bodies before the Sahara Desert, serving as a critical stopover in migratory routes for various bird species. Two field missions documented this event: the first confirmed the lake’s reappearance, while the second recorded the resurgence of the ecosystem and the return of migratory birds, last observed in the lake in 1968. The lake’s surface water extent, which had been completely dry, expanded dramatically, reaching over 80 km² after the first storm and subsequently increasing to approximately 146 km² following the second. This event has drawn considerable attention from international and national media. The revival was monitored using satellite imagery from Landsat 8 and 9 and Sentinel-2A, processed through Google Earth Engine (GEE), with the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) applied to detect water presence. A time-series analysis revealed significant changes in the lake’s surface water extent following the rainfall. This study emphasizes the need for proactive support to preserve Lake Iriqui, aligning with sustainable development goals: SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). These goals highlight the importance of sustainable water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and eco-tourism initiatives to benefit local communities.

This study examines land use, vegetation cover, and water body changes in the Moulay Bousselham area of Kenitra Province, focusing on the impact of agricultural activities on the Merja Zerga wetland. Using multi-source satellite imagery (Landsat and Sentinel) processed in Google Earth Engine, vegetation dynamics were tracked from 2014 to 2024, and water surface changes from 1984 to 2024. Results reveal a steady annual increase of about 9.5 km2 in vegetation cover, driven by intensive farming and modern irrigation that boosted productivity and mitigated desertification. Conversely, the water surface of Lake Merja Zerga declined by 0.0352 km2 per year, threatening aquatic habitats, water quality, and local climate regulation. Land use analysis highlights urban expansion, a shift to intensive production systems, and forest degradation. These findings stress the need for sustainable land management and wetland conservation to balance development with ecosystem protection.