POSTER SESSION 3
15:30–17:30, Wednesday, September 16
Poster Session | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Schedule at a Glance
ABSTRACT 1397 | POSTER 107
CLIMATE-DRIVEN VARIABILITY OF CHLOROPHYLL-A AND PHYTOPLANKTON STRUCTURE ALONG THE MOROCCAN COAST (1998–2024): IMPLICATIONS FOR MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND FISHERIES
The Moroccan coastal upwelling system supports one of the most productive fisheries regions in Africa and plays a major role in the national economy and food security. Despite its ecological and socioeconomic importance, the region remains relatively underexplored compared to other eastern boundary upwelling systems, with limited long-term in situ biogeochemical observations and sparse ecosystem datasets.
In this study, we investigate 27 years (1998–2024) of satellite ocean-colour observations to characterize spatial and temporal variability in chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton structure along the Moroccan coast. The study domain was divided into five fishing zones to capture regional environmental gradients and facilitate ecosystem-scale comparisons. Using satellite-derived chlorophyll-a, phytoplankton size-class indicators, sea surface temperature, and wind data, we analyze seasonal cycles, interannual variability, and long-term trends in phytoplankton dynamics in relation to environmental forcing and climate variability.
Preliminary results reveal strong regional contrasts between northern and southern sectors, reflecting differences in wind-driven upwelling intensity, stratification, and environmental conditions. Several regions exhibit significant changes in phytoplankton dynamics over the last decades, including shifts in bloom intensity and seasonal variability, with potential implications for ecosystem productivity and fisheries. This work highlights the value of long-term satellite observations for monitoring climate-driven ecosystem change in data-limited coastal regions and contributes to improving our understanding of marine ecosystem variability along the Moroccan coast.
Malika Kheireddine, UM6P, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2726-5426
Mustapha Ouhssain, UM6P, CRSA, [email protected]
Poster Session | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Schedule at a Glance
