Following the warbler’s path

The 2024 Morocco Aquatic Warbler Expedition united researchers from Germany, France, Spain, and Morocco. Guided by decades of tracking data, the team surveyed six major wetland sites along the Atlantic coast, including Oued Massa & Souss-Massa National Park; Sidi Moussa-Oualidia; Lac Sidi Boughaba & Lower Sebou River; Merja Zerga; Loukos Marshes; Moulouya National Park.

Despite thorough fieldwork—including mist-netting and habitat assessments—no Aquatic Warblers were caught, but two or three observed in Merja Zerga on a stormy day, when mist-netting was not possible. However, the habitats were still deemed suitable for the species, reaffirming their importance in the warbler’s migration.

A shocking discovery: wetlands under siege

The expedition confirmed that Morocco’s wetlands remain crucial for the warbler’s survival. But the team also witnessed something alarming: vast fields of plastic greenhouses creeping up to the very edges of these wetlands.

Strawberries, grown under plastic for export to European markets, are swallowing Morocco’s last remaining stopover sites. One researcher summed up the crisis in a chilling phrase:

“Europe eats African wetlands.”

The relentless demand in Europe for fresh, out-of-season products is fueling habitat destruction, leaving warblers and other migratory birds with fewer places to rest.

The Biggest Threats to Morocco’s Wetlands

• Water extraction for agriculture – intensive irrigation in and around vanishing wetlands, leaving them dry and uninhabitable.
• Plastic greenhouses & farming expansion – large-scale strawberry and vegetable cultivation, primarily for European consumption, is encroaching on fragile ecosystems.
• Pollution & waste dumping – construction debris and garbage are choking wetlands, further reducing available habitat.
• Urban sprawl – unregulated development is devouring the few wetlands that remain.

What Needs to Be Done?

The expedition team has outlined urgent conservation actions to protect these wetlands before it’s too late:

• Stronger protection for existing wetlands – Many key sites are already designated as Ramsar wetlands, but enforcement is weak.
• Regulation of agriculture near wetlands – Greenhouse expansion and irrigation farming must be controlled.
• Long-term monitoring – A standardized bird-ringing program should be established to track migration trends.
• Focus on Loukos Marshes – Further research is needed to determine the warbler’s exact stopover needs in this critical area.

Why This Matters to Everyone

The Aquatic Warbler is just one of millions of migratory birds that depend on Morocco’s wetlands. Protecting these habitats safeguards entire ecosystems, preserves biodiversity, and ensures clean water supplies.

But this crisis is not just Morocco’s problem. European consumers and policymakers must recognize their role. If unsustainable agricultural practices continue unchecked, these wetlands—and the species that rely on them—will be lost forever.

The time to act is now. By raising awareness, supporting conservation efforts, and making more sustainable choices, we can help ensure that the Aquatic Warbler and countless other species continue their incredible journeys for generations to come.

Latest News:

Another EU LIFE project ‚AWOM – Aquatic Warbler on the move’ was just launched by the Spanish Fundación Global Nature and a number of partner organisations from France to Senegal. The project will deal with the stopover and wintering sites. One focus will be put on the situation in Morocco.