Climate Change and Water Resources Research in Morocco: A Scientometric and Literature Analysis with Focus on the Ghis-Nekor Basin

Laboratory of Research and Development in Applied Geosciences, Faculty of Science and Techniques of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tetouan, Morocco.

Abstract

Climate change represents a growing pressure on water resources in semi-arid Mediterranean basins, where rainfall variability, recurrent droughts, and increased anthropogenic use are exacerbating hydrological imbalances. This study offers a combined bibliographic and scientometric analysis of scientific research on climate change and water resource management in the Ghis-Nekor basin (northern Morocco) over the period 2005–2025. The results reveal a significant increase in scientific output, particularly after 2014, reflecting a growing interest in the hydrological impacts of climate change, the vulnerability of water systems, and adaptation strategies. The evolution of themes highlights a shift from descriptive approaches focused on hydroclimatic characterization to integrated frameworks combining risk analysis, sustainable management, and territorial resilience. The Ghis-Nekor basin appears to be a sensitive area marked by irregular water supplies, demographic pressure, and fragile ecosystems, making it a representative case study of regional challenges. Analysis of collaboration networks highlights a growing scientific dynamic, although international visibility remains unevenly distributed. This research highlights the need to strengthen interdisciplinary approaches, improve the integration of climate projections into water planning, and consolidate adaptive governance mechanisms. It thus positions the Ghis-Nekor basin as a strategic laboratory for articulating scientific production, public policy, and integrated water resource management in the face of climate change.