Doing Academic Research In Morocco: Contexts, Cultures, And Knowledge Production – Analysis

Courtyard, Al-Qarawiyyin University, Fes. Morocco, the oldest in the world. Photo by Khonsali, Wikipedia Commons.

 April 24, 2026

By Dr. Mohamed Chtatou

Introduction

Conducting academic research in Morocco requires not only methodological rigor but also a critical engagement with the historical, cultural, and epistemological conditions that shape knowledge production. Positioned at the intersection of Africa, the Arab world, and the Mediterranean, Morocco presents a complex and multilayered research environment characterized by cultural plurality, linguistic diversity, and evolving socio-political dynamics. These features make Morocco an intellectually rich yet methodologically demanding field site, where the act of research is inseparable from broader questions of power, representation, and interpretation.

Historically, scholarly engagement with Morocco has been influenced by colonial and Orientalist frameworks that constructed the region as an object of knowledge to be studied, classified, and governed. As Edward Said (1978) argues, such representations were not neutral but deeply embedded in relations of power, shaping both the production and consumption of knowledge about non-Western societies. Although contemporary scholarship has sought to move beyond these paradigms, their legacy persists in subtle ways, influencing research agendas, methodologies, and epistemic hierarchies.

In this context, doing academic research in Morocco entails navigating a terrain marked by historical asymmetries and contemporary transformations. It requires an awareness of the ways in which knowledge is constructed, contested, and negotiated, as well as a commitment to reflexivity and ethical engagement. This essay examines the epistemological, methodological, and ethical dimensions of research in Morocco, arguing that knowledge production in this context is inherently relational and contingent. By drawing on insights from anthropology, sociology, and postcolonial studies, the essay highlights the importance of positionality, cultural competence, and dialogical engagement in conducting meaningful and responsible research.

Theoretical Framework: Knowledge, Power, and Epistemology

The relationship between knowledge and power is central to understanding the dynamics of academic research. As Michel Foucault (1980) demonstrates, knowledge is not merely a reflection of reality but a product of discursive practices that shape what can be known and how it can be known. In the context of Moroccan studies, this insight underscores the need to critically examine the epistemological foundations of research practices and to question the assumptions that underpin them.

Postcolonial theory provides a valuable framework for analyzing the historical construction of knowledge about Morocco. Edward Said (1978) highlights how Western scholarship has often represented the “Orient” as static, exotic, and inferior, thereby legitimizing colonial domination. These representations were not only descriptive but also prescriptive, influencing policy decisions and shaping the lived realities of colonized populations. In Morocco, colonial ethnography and administrative studies contributed to the categorization and control of local populations, often reducing complex social dynamics to simplistic binaries.

The critique of Orientalism has led to a growing emphasis on decolonizing research methodologies. Scholars such as Smith (1999) argue that research must be reoriented to prioritize indigenous perspectives and to challenge the dominance of Western epistemologies. This involves not only revising research questions and methods but also rethinking the ethics of knowledge production, including issues of ownership, representation, and accountability.

Reflexivity is a key component of this reorientation. As Pierre Bourdieu (1990) argues, researchers must critically examine their own positions within the social field, recognizing how their backgrounds, assumptions, and interests shape the research process. In Morocco, where cultural norms and social structures may differ significantly from those of the researcher, reflexivity becomes essential for avoiding ethnocentrism and for fostering more nuanced interpretations.

Anthropological approaches further emphasize the interpretive nature of social research. Clifford Geertz (1973) advocates for “thick description,” a method that seeks to understand social practices within their cultural contexts. In Morocco, this entails engaging with local categories of meaning and recognizing the symbolic dimensions of everyday life. Rather than imposing external frameworks, researchers must strive to interpret practices in ways that are meaningful to those who enact them.

Morocco as a Research Context: Historical Layers and Cultural Plurality

Morocco’s historical trajectory has profoundly shaped its contemporary social and cultural landscape. From pre-Islamic Amazigh societies to Arab-Islamic dynasties, from colonial rule to post-independence nation-building, the country’s history is marked by continuity and change. This historical layering is reflected in Morocco’s cultural plurality, which encompasses diverse identities, traditions, and practices.

The coexistence of Arab and Amazigh identities is a defining feature of Moroccan society. Amazigh (Berber) communities, with their distinct languages and cultural practices, have played a central role in shaping the country’s heritage. At the same time, Arabization and Islamization processes have contributed to the formation of a shared national identity. The recognition of Amazigh as an official language in recent years reflects ongoing efforts to acknowledge and integrate this diversity.

Morocco’s Jewish heritage also constitutes an important dimension of its cultural landscape. For centuries, Jewish communities contributed to the country’s economic, cultural, and intellectual life, fostering forms of convivencia that continue to resonate in contemporary memory (Boum, 2013). The study of Jewish-Muslim relations in Morocco provides valuable insights into the dynamics of coexistence, identity, and cultural exchange.

Linguistic diversity further complicates the research context. Moroccan Arabic (Darija), Amazigh languages, and French coexist in a dynamic and often hierarchical relationship. Language choice can signal social status, educational background, and cultural affiliation, influencing both access to participants and the interpretation of data. As Talal Asad (2003) notes, language is not merely a neutral medium but a constitutive element of social reality.

In addition to cultural and linguistic diversity, Morocco’s socio-political context presents both opportunities and challenges for researchers. The country has undergone significant reforms in areas such as governance, human rights, and economic development. However, issues of inequality, regional disparities, and political contestation remain salient. Researchers must navigate these dynamics carefully, considering how they shape both the research process and the interpretation of findings.

Methodological Challenges: Fieldwork, Access, and Ethics

Fieldwork in Morocco involves a range of methodological challenges that require careful consideration. Access to research sites and participants is often mediated by social networks and institutional structures. Gatekeepers—such as community leaders, local officials, or intermediaries—play a crucial role in facilitating or restricting access. Building relationships with these actors requires time, cultural competence, and an understanding of local norms.

Trust is a fundamental component of successful fieldwork. As Clifford Geertz (1973) emphasizes, ethnographic research depends on the establishment of rapport between researcher and participants. In Morocco, where interpersonal relationships are highly valued, trust is often built through informal interactions and shared experiences. Researchers must be willing to engage with participants beyond formal interviews, participating in everyday activities and demonstrating genuine interest in their lives.

Language barriers can pose significant challenges, particularly for researchers who are not fluent in local languages. While French is widely used in academic and administrative contexts, many social interactions take place in Darija or Amazigh languages. Researchers must therefore develop strategies for overcoming linguistic obstacles, such as working with interpreters or acquiring basic language skills. However, the use of interpreters introduces additional layers of mediation, raising questions about accuracy, representation, and power.

Ethical considerations are central to the research process. Issues of informed consent, confidentiality, and data protection must be addressed in ways that are sensitive to local contexts. In some cases, formal consent procedures may be perceived as intrusive or unnecessary, requiring researchers to adapt their approaches while maintaining ethical standards. The principle of “do no harm” is particularly important in contexts where participants may be vulnerable or where research findings could have unintended consequences.

The ethics of representation also warrant careful attention. Researchers must consider how their work portrays the communities they study and whose voices are included or excluded. As Smith (1999) argues, research has the potential to reproduce inequalities if it privileges the perspectives of the researcher over those of participants. In Morocco, this necessitates a commitment to collaborative and participatory approaches that empower local actors and acknowledge their contributions.

Positionality, Reflexivity, and Power Relations

The positionality of the researcher plays a critical role in shaping the research process. Factors such as nationality, gender, language proficiency, and institutional affiliation influence how researchers are perceived and how they interact with participants. In Morocco, these factors can affect access to certain spaces, the willingness of participants to engage, and the interpretation of data.

Reflexivity involves critically examining one’s positionality and its impact on the research process. As Pierre Bourdieu (1990) argues, reflexivity is essential for understanding the social conditions of knowledge production. It requires researchers to acknowledge their own biases and to consider how these biases influence their work.

Power relations are inherent in the research process. Researchers often occupy positions of privilege, particularly when they are affiliated with well-resourced institutions. These asymmetries can shape interactions with participants and influence the kinds of knowledge that are produced. Addressing these power dynamics requires a commitment to ethical engagement, including transparency, accountability, and respect for participants’ autonomy.

Knowledge Co-Production and Epistemic Pluralism

The recognition that knowledge is co-produced through interactions between researchers and participants challenges traditional models of research that emphasize objectivity and detachment. In Morocco, this co-production is evident in the ways participants shape the research process, from determining what information is shared to influencing how it is interpreted.

Epistemic pluralism—the recognition of multiple ways of knowing—offers a framework for engaging with this complexity. Rather than privileging a single epistemological perspective, researchers must be open to diverse forms of knowledge, including those rooted in local traditions and practices. This approach aligns with calls for decolonizing research methodologies and for fostering more inclusive and equitable forms of knowledge production.

Conclusion

Doing academic research in Morocco requires a nuanced and reflexive approach that acknowledges the complexity of the research context and the relational nature of knowledge production. By engaging critically with issues of power, representation, and methodology, researchers can contribute to more ethical and meaningful scholarship.

This essay has argued that research in Morocco is not merely a technical endeavor but a deeply contextual and interpretive process. It requires an awareness of historical legacies, cultural dynamics, and epistemological assumptions, as well as a commitment to collaboration and dialogue. Ultimately, the challenge—and the opportunity—of conducting research in Morocco lies in embracing this complexity and using it as a basis for generating richer and more inclusive forms of knowledge.

References 

• Asad, T. (2003). Formations of the secular: Christianity, Islam, modernity. Stanford University Press.
• Bourdieu, P. (1990). The logic of practice (R. Nice, Trans.). Stanford University Press.
• Boum, A. (2013). Memories of absence: How Muslims remember Jews in Morocco. Stanford University Press.
• Foucault, M. (1980). Power/knowledge: Selected interviews and other writings 1972–1977 (C. Gordon, Ed.). Pantheon Books.
• Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books.
• Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. Pantheon Books.
• Smith, L. T. (1999). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. Zed Books.

We Have The Power To Ensure Earth Has A Sustainable Future – Analysis

 April 24, 2026

By Dr. Majid Rafizadeh

International Mother Earth Day, established by the UN in 2009 and observed annually on April 22, is a globally recognized moment that should make us think about our relationship with our planet and the natural world. It should also make us reassess the sustainability of our paths.

It is extremely important not to have a relationship with the Earth based on it being a resource to be exploited. Instead, we must look at it as a shared home. This shared home requires care, balance and long-term responsibility.

The 2026 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” is important in the current global context, as it emphasizes both the agency and the obligation of human societies to confront escalating environmental crises.

If we examine the ecological condition of the planet today, we can see that there is a convergence of related challenges. These include climate change, pollution, deforestation and biodiversity loss — each of which exerts compounding pressure on ecosystems and human livelihoods.

These processes often interact with each other in devastating ways and they disproportionately affect populations and ecosystems that are already vulnerable.

Climate change can be characterized as the most critical, pervasive and systemic threat. Regions such as sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing intensified droughts, erratic rainfall patterns and declining agricultural productivity. These issues have exacerbated food insecurity and socioeconomic instability.

Similarly, low-lying island nations in the Pacific are facing existential risks from rising sea levels. This is not only threatening their infrastructure but also their sovereignty and cultural continuity. In addition, in South Asia, severe heat waves and flooding are placing immense strain on populations and fragile infrastructure systems.

The second threat is pollution, which in its various forms continues to degrade both terrestrial and marine environments. For instance, air pollution in major urban centers such as New Delhi has reached hazardous levels. This is contributing to significant public health crises, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

In terms of plastic pollution, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch exemplifies the scale of marine contamination. This has far-reaching consequences for marine biodiversity and food chains. Furthermore, industrial waste and chemical runoff are contaminating freshwater systems in regions such as Southeast Asia. This is undermining both ecological integrity and human health.

The third important issue is deforestation. The Amazon rainforest, which is often described as the “lungs of the planet,” continues to face large-scale clearance operations for agriculture, logging and infrastructure development. This is not only ratcheting up carbon dioxide emissions but also disrupting indigenous communities and regional climate systems. In Central Africa, the Congo Basin — the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest — is similarly under threat. This has implications for global carbon cycles and biodiversity conservation.

The last key issue is biodiversity loss, which is occurring at an alarming rate. For example, coral reef systems such as the Great Barrier Reef are experiencing widespread bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures.

This issue jeopardizes marine ecosystems and the livelihoods that are dependent upon them. In Madagascar, unique endemic species are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction and climate variability. This also points to the irreversible consequences of ecological neglect.

To adequately address these interconnected crises, we need to pursue a multidimensional path. This requires comprehensive and coordinated action at the local, national and global levels.

The key is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This can be done through the transition to renewable energy sources. But the decarbonization of economies must be accompanied by transformations in various sectors, such as energy production, transport and industrial processes.

It is also essential to adopt sustainable consumption patterns, such as through recycling, waste minimization and the reduction of single-use plastics.

We must protect and restore our natural ecosystems. This should be done through reforestation and conservation initiatives such as the establishment of protected areas, which are vital to the maintenance of ecosystems.

Finally, there is the dimension of global environmental governance and the principle of equity. Wealthier nations, which have historically contributed the most to global greenhouse gas emissions, have a responsibility to support developing countries.

This support can take the form of financial assistance, technology transfers and initiatives that are aimed at creating sustainable development pathways. This is crucial to ensure that poorer nations are not left behind in the global transition to sustainability.

In this context, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” points to the recognition of our capacity to effect change and our ethical responsibility to do so. The challenges confronting the Earth are profound.

In summary, International Mother Earth Day should not just be a symbolic observance. Humanity has no alternative refuge; this is our only home, which is shared across borders, races, ethnicities, cultures and religions. This day must compel governments, institutions and individuals to take concrete action to safeguard the planet. Our future is linked to the health of the Earth, so every choice we make and every action we take matters.

• This article was published at Arab News

Brazil Has Lost 1.4 Billion Tons Of Soil Carbon Due To Conversion Of Natural Areas To Agriculture

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon. Photo Credit: POLÍCIA FEDERAL/DIVULGAÇÃO

 April 25, 2026 

By Eurasia Review

The conversion of Brazil’s native biomes into agricultural areas has resulted in an estimated loss of 1.4 billion tons of soil carbon. This amount is equal to the emission of 5.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalent, a unit of measurement used to standardize the emission of different greenhouse gases, and was calculated based on data collected from studies conducted over the past 30 years.

These findings are from a study published in the journal Nature Communications by researchers from the Luiz de Queiroz School of Agriculture at the University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP) and the State University of Ponta Grossa (UEPG), as well as Embrapa Agricultura Digital, one of the decentralized units of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA).

The study was conducted as part of the Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), a FAPESP Research, Innovation, and Dissemination Center (RIDC) based at ESALQ-USP and coordinated by Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri, who is also an author of the article.

The good news is that the researchers estimate that “recarbonizing” about one-third of the country’s agricultural land would be sufficient to meet Brazil’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 59% to 67% compared to 2005 levels by 2035.

This goal could theoretically be achieved using sustainable techniques, such as crop rotation, no-till farming, and integrated systems like ICLF (Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest). Another potential solution is the restoration of degraded pastures, which cover 20 million hectares in the Atlantic Forest alone.

“The main objective of this study was to estimate the carbon debt of Brazil’s soils. In addition to arriving at this overall figure, we calculated how much each biome accumulates and how much carbon is lost when a natural area is converted to agriculture, as well as which agricultural practices conserve more or less carbon in the soil,” summarizes João Marcos Villela, the first author of the study and a researcher at ESALQ-USP supported by FAPESP. 

The estimates were derived from an analysis of Brazil’s largest soil carbon database, which the researchers compiled from 4,290 records spanning 372 studies published over the past 30 years. The study covered all Brazilian biomes and included both areas of natural vegetation and agricultural land.

The researchers expect the results of the study to guide public policies and private-sector initiatives to promote sustainable farming practices and inform the carbon credit market with data on Brazilian carbon stocks.

Best practices

To calculate greenhouse gas emissions, the CO₂ equivalent metric is used to standardize different gases into a single unit of measurement. In this case, the measured amount of carbon is multiplied by 3.66; this explains the difference between 1.4 billion tons of carbon and 5.2 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent. The Atlantic Forest showed the highest soil carbon accumulation in both its natural vegetation and agricultural areas in the study. The Pantanal and the Caatinga (a semi-arid biome in the Northeast region) had the lowest carbon stock levels among the areas measured. The researchers considered the carbon present in the four soil layers typically analyzed in this type of study: 0 to 10 cm, 0 to 20 cm, 0 to 30 cm, and 0 to 100 cm.

In the topsoil layer, carbon stocks in areas of native Atlantic Forest vegetation were 86% higher than in the Caatinga and 36% higher than in the Cerrado (savanna-like biome). In agricultural areas, the Atlantic Forest surpassed the Pantanal and the Caatinga by 154% and 62%, respectively.

The large amount of data allowed the researchers to estimate the types of land conversion that remove the most carbon from the soil in each biome. They also determined how much the transition from monoculture to other agricultural practices can increase the carbon stored in the six biomes analyzed.

Converting native vegetation to monoculture results in a 33% loss of soil carbon in the Atlantic Forest and a 15.8% loss in the Cerrado. Conversely, converting a monoculture area to an integrated system in the Cerrado increases soil carbon by 15.3%.

In the Amazon, transitioning from monoculture to crop rotation or mixed cropping systems is estimated to generate a potential 14.1% increase in carbon.

“These are theoretical potentials that still require further study to determine their feasibility. However, we now have a foundation that offers promising prospects for application in new studies and even in public policy and the carbon credit market in Brazil, which is still in its infancy,” Villela concludes.

Threat Of California’s Native Tree Loss Greater Than Current Estimates

The blue oak, an iconic tree found only in California and seen across the state’s inland ranges and hills, is far more vulnerable to climate change than is reflected by its current status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's "Red List," according to a new climate-informed risk-assessment framework developed by UC Santa Cruz researchers. CREDIT: Photo by Nick Gonzales

 April 25, 2026

By Eurasia Review

 From the scarecrow-like silhouettes of Joshua Tree National Park to the fog-shrouded Redwood Coast of Mendocino and Humboldt counties, California’s identity is deeply rooted in its trees. However, a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, warns that these foundational species are in much more trouble than international conservation rankings estimate.

The study, published this morning in journal Global Change Biology, reveals that over the next century, California’s endemic and near-endemic trees are projected to lose between half and three-quarters of their climatically suitable habitat. Perhaps most strikingly, the research demonstrates that the trees’ current conservation status on the globally authoritative International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List don’t yet reflect this imminent risk.

Using “climate-informed” assessments, researchers from UC Santa Cruz’s Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology found that even under the most conservative climate-change forecasts, most species qualify for higher Red List threat levels than their current status. The Red List is the global authority on species extinction risk, but does not have the regulatory authority of U.S. federal or state endangered species laws.

One of these species is the blue oak, an iconic tree commonly found in California’s inland foothills and rangelands—as seen throughout the recently established Strathearn Ranch Natural Reserve in San Benito County.

Blue oaks are an important cultural and food species for many Indigenous tribes. Ranchers also depend on these trees because they provide shade for cattle and nutrient cycling. They stabilize soils to prevent erosion, keep carbon out of the atmosphere, and provide homes to hundreds of other animals—as well as improve property values.

“If you lose a blue oak woodland, you’ll generally be left with an invasive grassland,” said Blair McLaughlin, a climate change adaptation scientist at UC Santa Cruz and lead author of the study. “The old-growth blue oak woodlands have been here for centuries, so they are a connection to a time before the full impacts of European settlement.”

The ‘backbone’ of California ecosystems

The study focused on 27 “foundational” species: trees that define the structure and function of the state’s forests, woodlands, and savannas. “These trees are the backbones of our ecosystems,” McLaughlin explained. “They grow nowhere else in the world and provide the essential habitat that native wildlife and humans alike depend on.”

The findings are a wake-up call for anyone who treasures the California landscape. The loss of these trees could dramatically change the places people love. Well-known species like the Western Joshua tree, blue oak, and foxtail pine are projected to lose more than half of their climatically suitable habitat by as early as 2055. Under high-loss scenarios, which reflect present global-emission trajectories, 40% of the species studied could face a complete loss of suitable habitat within their current ranges by the end of the century.

Bridging a gap between models and reality

A novel aspect of this study is its “ground-truthing.” The research team didn’t just rely on computer models—they cross-referenced projections with field-observed data on tree mortality and recruitment.

“We found a clear relationship between the risk our models projected and the demographic shifts we are already seeing on the ground,” said the study’s senior author, Erika Zavaleta, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. Also a member of the California Fish and Game Commission, Zavaleta emphasized that the study’s findings are not just theoretical. “In many cases, the projected responses—higher mortality and lower recruitment in warmer, drier areas—are documented as already happening.”

This is particularly evident in what previous research has termed “zombie forests,” which are stands of adult trees that appear healthy but can no longer produce seedlings in the current climate. These living relics are destined to vanish once the current generation dies off, unless conservation measures are implemented.

A new map for conservation

The study used heatmaps to identify “hotspots” of both risk and resilience across the state. Regions like the Sierra Nevada foothills, the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Transverse Range north of Los Angeles are projected to see the most significant declines in highly vulnerable foundational species. Conversely, parts of the Central Coast, the north San Francisco Bay, and higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada could serve as critical climate refuges where these species have the best chance of persistence.

The researchers urge conservationists to consider these maps to complement other knowledge to prioritize land acquisition and conservation strategies. McLaughlin explained how “persistence hotspots” are ideal for protecting places where vulnerable species are likely to thrive longer—whereas “loss hotspots” are where increased monitoring, protection of local refugia, and conservation of genetic resources would be beneficial. 

“We need new approaches to address this emerging conservation problem that climate change is creating,” McLaughlin said. “Many of these foundational species are widespread right now, and you can see them everywhere. But they are losing suitable habitat very quickly.”

Expertise in action

The study represents a major output from UC Santa Cruz’s Conservation Science and Stewardship Lab, whose mission is to bridge ecological theory with sound management practice, often incorporating elements of public policy and working with traditional knowledge holders. The team’s diverse expertise, spanning from quantitative ecology and machine learning to anthropology, allowed for a holistic approach to the challenge. For example, McLaughlin and Zavaleta both bring backgrounds in anthropology to their ecological work, ensuring that the cultural value of these trees—their role in the stories, identities, and lives of Californians—is central to the conservation argument.

“Making conservation decisions only around what’s happening in today’s landscapes is no longer sufficient,” McLaughlin said. “We need to be looking ahead to what’s coming in order to protect what matters to Californians.”  

A Third Of Animal Habitats On Land Could Experience Multiple Extreme Events By 2085

 April 25, 2026

By Eurasia Review

By 2085, 36 percent of species’ current habitats on land could be exposed to multiple types of climate-driven extreme events such as heatwaves, fire or floods if warming continues to rise into the latter half of the century. The findings are part of a new study published today in Nature Ecology & Evolution, authored by an international team of 18 scientists, and led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

“I think climate change, and in particular extreme events, are still really being underestimated when it comes to conservation planning. It’s not just going to be a gradual shift of temperature over many years,” commented lead author Stefanie Heinicke, a postdoctoral researcher at PIK.

Just one heatwave, flood or fire can devastate animal populations. When multiple types of extreme events succeed one another, impacts on species and habitats are compounded. Previous literature showed following the 2019-2020 fires in Australia, there were 27-40 percent greater declines in plant and animal species in areas that had experienced a drought immediately beforehand.

However, rapidly cutting emissions to net zero could still largely prevent these impacts. In a scenario in which warming starts to reverse in the latter part of the century, land animal’s habitat that would experience multiple types of events by 2085 would be limited to just 9 percent.

“There’s still a lot of difference we can make by cutting emissions as fast as we can from today,” Heinicke added.

Impact modelling for biodiversity

The paper takes a novel approach to look at climate change’s impacts on biodiversity. It uses outputs from climate impact models, which can provide different kinds of data on more complex impacts from climate change beyond rising heat, such as flooded area and wildfire projections.

For example, the authors were able to see that by 2050 in a scenario in which warming continues into the latter half of the century, 74 percent of current animal habitats on land will be exposed to heatwaves, 16 percent to wildfire, 8 percent to droughts and 3 percent to river floods. This includes key species-rich areas in the Amazon basin, Africa and Southeast Asia.

“The wildfire projections being so significant is really notable. I don’t know of another study that has projected wildfire exposure for animals yet, so seeing that there is a bigger threat from fires than drought for example; this was a significant blind spot,” said Katja Frieler, a co-author on the paper who leads the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project, and is a research department head at PIK.