Climate Change Observations and Trends Overview: Focus on Morocco With a Case-Study of A Future Reservoir’s Response to Climate Change

¹ Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs-Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
² Mohammed VI Polythechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco
³ Ministry of Equipement, Transport, Logistics and Water, department of Water, Morocco

^* Corresponding author: el1harraki.wafae@gmail.com

Abstract

Climate change impacts are being unequivocal on societies, natural resources and economic development. Observations and trends of climate features have been tackled by many scientists through analysis of historical series of temperature and precipitation and projections of theses parameters and of their extremes under different scenarios. This paper gives an overview of climate change observations and trends based on some latest works with focus on impacts on water resources and specifically in Morocco belonging to a vulnerable continent to climate change and to the Mediterranean region qualified as a “hot spot”. A case-study from Sebou Basin was conducted through an assessment of water supply from a future reservoir for different sizes under climate change scenarios for the mid and end of the 21st century. Simulations of the future multi-objective dam showed a decrease of total average supply between 9% to 12% for the mid-term scenario and 20% to 27% for the long-term scenario. The biggest size was found to have better reliability permitting approaching the fulfillment of all water needs for the log-term. Some adaptation options are recommended in occurrence water demand management, reservoir operation optimization and raising users „awareness and participation in climate change adaptation.