Holocene Climate Variability in Morocco : A Comprehensive Analysis of Environmental and Societal Impacts

Holocene Climate Variability in Morocco

Abstract

The Holocene climate variations have had a profound impact on global climatic conditions, including the Moroccan climatic history; Morocco is particularly vulnerable to changes in the global climate, which highlights the need for a thorough investigation of the dynamics of the climate in both the middle and southern areas. This study overviews two important Holocene eras: Morocco's Arabization and the African Humid Period. We provide comprehensive insights into historical climates using high-resolution records from pollen, leaf-wax δD, and leaf-wax isotopes. Among the remarkable discoveries are indications of early Holocene greening in the Sahara, which affected vegetation and precipitation patterns. The African Humid Period affects ecological dynamics, human dispersal, and cultural adaptations, among other aspects of human-environment interactions. The most relevant results about the anthropogenic impact during the Arabization of Morocco suggest a drastic increase in anthropogenic influence following the Arabization of Morocco around ~700 CE, mainly through intensified agricultural use. This period marked a significant shift in human activity and land use, significantly impacting hydrological and vegetation signals over the last three millennia. The study provides evidence of anthropogenic influence during this historical period, signifying the substantial environmental imprint resulting from human activities, particularly in the context of intensified agricultural practices. These studies provide valuable insights into human activities, climate fluctuations, and environmental changes during the Holocene, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the environmental imprint of human demography changes in these regions.