Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed

Yassine Eljaouhary; Abdelghani Qadem; Sebastien Lebaut; Najat Itobi; Abdelfettah Es-seqally; Hanane Bouyazri

doi:doi:10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12

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Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed

Yassine Eljaouhary^*

, Abdelghani Qadem

, Sebastien Lebaut

, Najat Itobi

, Abdelfettah Es-seqally

, Hanane Bouyazri

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 1)

Received: 17 October 2025 Accepted: 24 December 2025 Published: 9 January 2026

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Abstract

This study analyzes perceptions and representations of drought among residents of the Oued El Abid watershed in Morocco, based on a structured field survey conducted with 150 households. The results reveal a high level of awareness of drought, with 95% of respondents acknowledging its occurrence and 80% considering their area to be directly affected. Nearly 75% of the surveyed population report having personally experienced its impacts, particularly reduced precipitation, water scarcity, and the drying up of springs and streams. Local populations perceive a significant deterioration in climatic conditions, as 58.4% currently consider precipitation to be low compared to 45.6% who previously described it as abundant. In addition, 72.2% of respondents report an increase in temperatures, and 70.4% identify recent decades as the driest. Drought is described as a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing climatic, hydrological, agricultural, and socio-economic aspects, with direct repercussions on water resources, agriculture, and livestock. The study highlights critical impacts on water supply, marked by reduced flows in springs, rivers, and wells, as well as significant economic consequences, including crop losses, declining agricultural yields, and livestock mortality, thereby increasing the socio-economic vulnerability of local populations. Furthermore, adaptation strategies such as the semi-nomadic mobility of herds illustrate the capacity of communities to adjust their practices in response to environmental constraints. Overall, these findings emphasize that drought represents a major environmental and socio-economic challenge in the Oued El Abid watershed, and that integrating local perceptions is essential for developing sustainable water resource management strategies and strengthening community resilience to climate change.

Published in	Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12
Page(s)	10-19
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Drought, Watershed, Oued El-Abid, Survey, Perception

References

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APA Style

Eljaouhary, Y., Qadem, A., Lebaut, S., Itobi, N., Es-seqally, A., et al. (2026). Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed. Humanities and Social Sciences, 14(1), 10-19. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12

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ACS Style

Eljaouhary, Y.; Qadem, A.; Lebaut, S.; Itobi, N.; Es-seqally, A., et al. Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2026, 14(1), 10-19. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12

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AMA Style

Eljaouhary Y, Qadem A, Lebaut S, Itobi N, Es-seqally A, et al. Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed. Humanit Soc Sci. 2026;14(1):10-19. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12

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@article{10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12,
  author = {Yassine Eljaouhary and Abdelghani Qadem and Sebastien Lebaut and Najat Itobi and Abdelfettah Es-seqally and Hanane Bouyazri},
  title = {Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {1},
  pages = {10-19},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20261401.12},
  abstract = {This study analyzes perceptions and representations of drought among residents of the Oued El Abid watershed in Morocco, based on a structured field survey conducted with 150 households. The results reveal a high level of awareness of drought, with 95% of respondents acknowledging its occurrence and 80% considering their area to be directly affected. Nearly 75% of the surveyed population report having personally experienced its impacts, particularly reduced precipitation, water scarcity, and the drying up of springs and streams. Local populations perceive a significant deterioration in climatic conditions, as 58.4% currently consider precipitation to be low compared to 45.6% who previously described it as abundant. In addition, 72.2% of respondents report an increase in temperatures, and 70.4% identify recent decades as the driest. Drought is described as a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing climatic, hydrological, agricultural, and socio-economic aspects, with direct repercussions on water resources, agriculture, and livestock. The study highlights critical impacts on water supply, marked by reduced flows in springs, rivers, and wells, as well as significant economic consequences, including crop losses, declining agricultural yields, and livestock mortality, thereby increasing the socio-economic vulnerability of local populations. Furthermore, adaptation strategies such as the semi-nomadic mobility of herds illustrate the capacity of communities to adjust their practices in response to environmental constraints. Overall, these findings emphasize that drought represents a major environmental and socio-economic challenge in the Oued El Abid watershed, and that integrating local perceptions is essential for developing sustainable water resource management strategies and strengthening community resilience to climate change.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed
AU  - Yassine Eljaouhary
AU  - Abdelghani Qadem
AU  - Sebastien Lebaut
AU  - Najat Itobi
AU  - Abdelfettah Es-seqally
AU  - Hanane Bouyazri
Y1  - 2026/01/09
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 10
EP  - 19
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12
AB  - This study analyzes perceptions and representations of drought among residents of the Oued El Abid watershed in Morocco, based on a structured field survey conducted with 150 households. The results reveal a high level of awareness of drought, with 95% of respondents acknowledging its occurrence and 80% considering their area to be directly affected. Nearly 75% of the surveyed population report having personally experienced its impacts, particularly reduced precipitation, water scarcity, and the drying up of springs and streams. Local populations perceive a significant deterioration in climatic conditions, as 58.4% currently consider precipitation to be low compared to 45.6% who previously described it as abundant. In addition, 72.2% of respondents report an increase in temperatures, and 70.4% identify recent decades as the driest. Drought is described as a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing climatic, hydrological, agricultural, and socio-economic aspects, with direct repercussions on water resources, agriculture, and livestock. The study highlights critical impacts on water supply, marked by reduced flows in springs, rivers, and wells, as well as significant economic consequences, including crop losses, declining agricultural yields, and livestock mortality, thereby increasing the socio-economic vulnerability of local populations. Furthermore, adaptation strategies such as the semi-nomadic mobility of herds illustrate the capacity of communities to adjust their practices in response to environmental constraints. Overall, these findings emphasize that drought represents a major environmental and socio-economic challenge in the Oued El Abid watershed, and that integrating local perceptions is essential for developing sustainable water resource management strategies and strengthening community resilience to climate change.
VL  - 14
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Yassine Eljaouhary

Laboratory DPRH, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-5929-8026
Abdelghani Qadem

Laboratory for Geo-Environmental Analysis and Planning-Sustainable Development-LAGEA-DD. FLSH, Fez, Morocco

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0185-2593
Sebastien Lebaut

Research Unit "LOTERR", University of Lorraine, Nancy, France

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9869-7285
Najat Itobi

Laboratory DPRH, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-9431-1956
Abdelfettah Es-seqally

Laboratory DPRH, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-5577-4789
Hanane Bouyazri

GNHL, Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-3991-5173

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APA Style

Eljaouhary, Y., Qadem, A., Lebaut, S., Itobi, N., Es-seqally, A., et al. (2026). Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed. Humanities and Social Sciences, 14(1), 10-19. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12

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ACS Style

Eljaouhary, Y.; Qadem, A.; Lebaut, S.; Itobi, N.; Es-seqally, A., et al. Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2026, 14(1), 10-19. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12

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AMA Style

Eljaouhary Y, Qadem A, Lebaut S, Itobi N, Es-seqally A, et al. Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed. Humanit Soc Sci. 2026;14(1):10-19. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12

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@article{10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12,
  author = {Yassine Eljaouhary and Abdelghani Qadem and Sebastien Lebaut and Najat Itobi and Abdelfettah Es-seqally and Hanane Bouyazri},
  title = {Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {1},
  pages = {10-19},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20261401.12},
  abstract = {This study analyzes perceptions and representations of drought among residents of the Oued El Abid watershed in Morocco, based on a structured field survey conducted with 150 households. The results reveal a high level of awareness of drought, with 95% of respondents acknowledging its occurrence and 80% considering their area to be directly affected. Nearly 75% of the surveyed population report having personally experienced its impacts, particularly reduced precipitation, water scarcity, and the drying up of springs and streams. Local populations perceive a significant deterioration in climatic conditions, as 58.4% currently consider precipitation to be low compared to 45.6% who previously described it as abundant. In addition, 72.2% of respondents report an increase in temperatures, and 70.4% identify recent decades as the driest. Drought is described as a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing climatic, hydrological, agricultural, and socio-economic aspects, with direct repercussions on water resources, agriculture, and livestock. The study highlights critical impacts on water supply, marked by reduced flows in springs, rivers, and wells, as well as significant economic consequences, including crop losses, declining agricultural yields, and livestock mortality, thereby increasing the socio-economic vulnerability of local populations. Furthermore, adaptation strategies such as the semi-nomadic mobility of herds illustrate the capacity of communities to adjust their practices in response to environmental constraints. Overall, these findings emphasize that drought represents a major environmental and socio-economic challenge in the Oued El Abid watershed, and that integrating local perceptions is essential for developing sustainable water resource management strategies and strengthening community resilience to climate change.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Perceptions and Representations of Drought in the Oued El Abid Watershed
AU  - Yassine Eljaouhary
AU  - Abdelghani Qadem
AU  - Sebastien Lebaut
AU  - Najat Itobi
AU  - Abdelfettah Es-seqally
AU  - Hanane Bouyazri
Y1  - 2026/01/09
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 10
EP  - 19
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261401.12
AB  - This study analyzes perceptions and representations of drought among residents of the Oued El Abid watershed in Morocco, based on a structured field survey conducted with 150 households. The results reveal a high level of awareness of drought, with 95% of respondents acknowledging its occurrence and 80% considering their area to be directly affected. Nearly 75% of the surveyed population report having personally experienced its impacts, particularly reduced precipitation, water scarcity, and the drying up of springs and streams. Local populations perceive a significant deterioration in climatic conditions, as 58.4% currently consider precipitation to be low compared to 45.6% who previously described it as abundant. In addition, 72.2% of respondents report an increase in temperatures, and 70.4% identify recent decades as the driest. Drought is described as a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing climatic, hydrological, agricultural, and socio-economic aspects, with direct repercussions on water resources, agriculture, and livestock. The study highlights critical impacts on water supply, marked by reduced flows in springs, rivers, and wells, as well as significant economic consequences, including crop losses, declining agricultural yields, and livestock mortality, thereby increasing the socio-economic vulnerability of local populations. Furthermore, adaptation strategies such as the semi-nomadic mobility of herds illustrate the capacity of communities to adjust their practices in response to environmental constraints. Overall, these findings emphasize that drought represents a major environmental and socio-economic challenge in the Oued El Abid watershed, and that integrating local perceptions is essential for developing sustainable water resource management strategies and strengthening community resilience to climate change.
VL  - 14
IS  - 1
ER  -

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