This 10-day fieldtrip to Morocco starts in Marrakesh and then takes a transect southwards over the spectacular Atlas Mountains, down the Draa River valley, following this vital water resource through oasis villages until it dissipates into the sand dunes of the Sahara.
Along the way, we will explore the changing climate, from the Mediterranean through to semi-desert mountains, to the arid Sahara. As we do this, we will investigate the effects of a changing climate on the geomorphology, ecology and human subsistence.
The trip includes discussing these issues at numerous locations, as well as practical studies of the aquatic biodiversity of the Draa River and methodology to estimate its past discharge.