Shifts in surface climate may have changed the dynamic of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in the pre-Saharan zones of North Africa. Caused by Leishmania major, this form multiplies in the body of rodents serving as reservoirs of the disease. The parasite is then transmitted to human hosts by the bite of a Phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) that was previously fed by biting an infected reservoir. We examine the seasonal and interannual dynamics of the incidence of this ZCL as a function of surface climate indicators in two regions covering a large area of the semi-arid Pre-Saharan North Africa. Results suggest that in this area, changes in climate may have initiated a trophic cascade that resulted in an increase in ZCL incidence. We find the correlation between the rainy season precipitation and the same year Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to be strong for both regions while the number of cases of ZCL incidence lags the precipitation and NDVI by 2 years. The zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis seasonal dynamic appears to be controlled by minimum temperatures and presents a 2-month lag between the reported infection date and the presumed date when the infection actually occurred. The decadal increase in the number of ZCL occurrence in the region suggests that changes in climate increased minimum temperatures sufficiently and created conditions suitable for endemicity that did not previously exist. We also find that temperatures above a critical range suppress ZCL incidence by limiting the vector’s reproductive activity.

In Morocco, the last census counted 70% of houses in cities, with seven cities accounting for 25% of the total population and 41% of the urban population. This paper questioned the sustainability indicator in Moroccan cities using a novel methodology based on Earth observations and census data. We estimated the indicator for the 25 largest urban areas between 2003 and 2013. A stratification based on urbanization fractions allowed for the definition and comparison of hierarchically ordered zones consistent across urban areas and scales. We found no systematic pattern of growth between cities. However, three categories of development were identified: a group of large cities with an indicator less than unity and land consumption commensurate to population growth, a group of medium-sized cities trending moderately towards unsustainability with an indicator between one and two, and a group including small cities with significant departure from sustainability. The disparate sustainability levels between urban areas appear to be related to the rapid economic growth, typical of an emerging economy. Our results indicate a continuous population growth pushing outwards the perimeters of existing urban areas. Unless regulated, land consumption is increasing faster than the population in most parts of Morocco, in line with global trends.

In Morocco, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases represent a public health concern. In this opinion paper, we propose to highlight chosen elements that have governed the drastic increase in the incidence of leishmaniases recorded in Morocco during the period between 1990 to 2010 in order to guide the prediction of the expansion of diseases and epidemic events. We highlight that the dispersion of the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) form, caused by the Leishmania major parasite, appears to be closely related to that of its arthropod vector density, which is sensitive to changes in climate. The dissemination of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) was related to an increase in human travel and local tourism during the studied decades. These are linked to economic expansion and infrastructure development. Interestingly, the main ACL foci are spatially aligned with the highways, and their occurrence was synchronized with the building of transportation infrastructure. During the above-mentioned decades, the zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) caused by Leishmania infantum has expanded from its historical northern territories, dispersing outwards in all directions. This spread follows the emergence of hamlets and villages connecting with major cities.

During the last decades, Morocco has recorded substantial urbanization and faced challenges related to urban sprawl and encroachment on fertile lands. This paper reviews several studies assessing urban sustainability development in 27 Moroccan urban areas using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 11.3.1, i.e., the ratio of Land Consumption Rate (LCR) to Population Growth Rate (PGR). Among the 27 urban areas reviewed, analysis of SDG 11.3.1 data revealed that only 7 exhibited trends towards sustainable urban development, while the remaining 20 showed a divergence from the sustainability objectives. We analyze the studies, conducted between 2020 and 2023, describing in depth the relationship between LCRs and PGRs, and provide a comprehensive summary of the SDG 11.3.1 outcome, discussing along the way methodological variations, and introducing a new concept for the evaluation of urban land consumption. The review reveals disparate regional urban development trends, emphasizing the need for local land tenure rules. Additionally, the study discusses how the SDG 11.3.1 reacts under the influence of several parameters such as land characteristics, climate, and geographic location. While the study acknowledges the limitations of SDG 11.3.1, it found that the indicator provides valuable insights into trends and comparisons, and should offer assistance to stakeholders, urban planners, and decision makers in their pursuit of sustainable development. However, these identified limitations underscore the need for a more comprehensive and multidimensional urban sustainability development indicator, capable of better addressing the complexities of the urban environment.

Moroccan Pre-Saharan zone is an oasis system, which it is characterised by extreme events, like drought and flood. The flood risks will likely increases in frequency and magnitude due to global and regional climate change. Flood tends to have an important impact on isolated and poor regions such as oasis regions. This paper aims the analysis of applicability of Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI) in pre-Saharan region of Morocco. The FVI, it is a numerical index that reflects the status of a region's flood vulnerability. It was determined for four components social, economic, physical, and environmental. These components can help to assist to propose strategies for improvement of the holistic system. For this study five sub-catchments were selected: Upper Draa Valley (UDV), Middle Draa Valley (MDV), Tata sub-catchment, Guelmim sub-catchment and Tafilalt sub-catchment; and five urban areas, Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tata, Guelmim and Errachidia. A comparative analysis of the results from thus areas allows us to assess the applicability of the FVI. The overall FVI for these areas was determined by the calculating and standardisation of 36 indicators for each sub-catchment scale and 34 for each urban scale.