Bunger Oasis (66° 15'S 100° 45'E), which lies in the deep interior of the Antarctic Continent, was the destination of the Polish Polar Expedition in 1978/1979. The area of Oasis which is free of ice, with a surface area of 1000 km2, its own hydrographic network and diversified relief of the terrain, has over the recent years been populated by live organisms, birds (cheek-bone and snow fulmar) and Wedell seal. In valleys and depressions of the terrain, traces of soil, mosses and lichens appear. The relief of the terrain of Oasis is undergoing continuous intensive change as a result of the natural effects of the Antarctic climate.

The unique oasis of Zousfana, on the western edge of the Grand Erg Occidental, Taghit is the pearl of the oases of Saoura, a palm grove of 180 ha over an 18 km length crossed by Oued Zouzfana. It regroups the different types of landscapes of an arid zone (erg, hamada, barga – a small hill, oued ...). Taghit is known for its hydraulic civilization, the oasis in its hostile environment has survived thanks to the exploitation of rare groundwater irrigation according to the traditional customs applied to the whole of society. The peasants spur out the water resources through foggaras and traditional wells. But the intervention of modern irrigation techniques in an anarchic way has disrupted the fragile mode of irrigation and the abandonment of the palm grove. The over-exploitation of groundwater by the use of boreholes and motor pumps leads to the drying up of water sources, mists and traditional wells. Today, only 45 000 palm trees are productive and less than 1500 fruit trees. There are 500 fellahs in the entire agricultural area of Taghit, the majority of them is fleeing work in the oasis because of the lack of income from it. When comparing the results of analyses from different campaigns (2015 and 2008), a spectacular increase in the salt concentrations in the groundwater of the different palm groves is noticed. According to our investigations, the main causes of this jump are: the overexploitation of the water tables by motor pumps, the abandonment of land inside the palm grove, the lack of maintenance of the gardens, the exploitation of domestic wastewater in the irrigation. According to this preliminary study, it is important for the State to make farmers aware of the role of their traditional irrigation systems in the continuity of the oasis and life in it.

In addition to unthinking anthropogenic meddling with the subtle ecological balance, the territories of Al-Aba Oasis are witnessing various Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes. Comprehending LULC is a central facet of upholding a sustainable, friendly, and fit environment. This paper presents a spatiotemporal study of land use and land cover trends in the wetlands of Al-Aba Oasis, an ecologically sensitive area in the west of Ras Tanura in the east of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study area faces several environmental problems, including the rise in groundwater levels, expansion of agricultural land, urban expansion, and anthropogenic interference with the ecological balance. In this paper, a verified representation of the changes in each LULC class has been made using satellite images. Remote sensing imagery is helpful for studying temporal changes in LULC and providing environmental monitoring data. We analysed Landsat-5 and Sentinel-2 imagery for 1985, 2000, and 2021. The overall precision besides the kappa coefficient for precision assessment indicates the relevance of the LULC classification. LULC map products were overlaid and interpreted based on post-classification change detection methods. The LULC aspects were classified into six classes: water body, waterlogged area, sabkha soil, sandy area, cultivated area, and built- up area. The results prove that from 2001 to 2021, the extension of the built-up area (2.6%) and agricultural land (6.85%) is directly proportional to the population growth (36.5% between 1992 and 2004) and the sabkhas are subject to constant metamorphosis under the joint influence of urban and agricultural land expansion. 100 samples were collected for the years 1986, 2001, and 2021 to assess the accuracy. We reviewed the outcomes of this study by evaluating the accuracy (77, 81, and 84% for 1986, 2001, and 2021 respectively) and comparing the field truth using a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor. The results of this study are useful in the development of environmental policies during the development of sustainable territorial development programmes of the oasis.

In the heart of Moroccan oases, date palm trees stand as the lifeblood of local communities, serving as both a livelihood cornerstone and a dietary treasure trove. Morocco has long been a leading date fruit producer. Yet, amidst the palm groves, several environmental, technical, and socio-economic challenges have threatened the sustainability of this ancient crop. This study assesses the constraints and limitations of the date palm production system in Tafilalet oases that have kept this crop from reaching its full potential. A total of 56 producers were interviewed using an open- closed survey, illuminating interviews with key informants, dynamic focus group discussions, and direct observations in palm groves. The findings reveal that primary restrictions and barriers impeding the progress of this sector are: producers’ moderate education level and the limited adoption of technological innovation, few opportunities given to young producers, palm groves’ fragmentation, poor management of date fruits, low imports of the necessary inputs (fertilisers, irrigation, etc.), and the poor organisation of the marketing circuit (storage and packaging). Advocate renewed commitment to preserve and modernise palm groves, blending heritage with modern practices for thriving, sustainable date palm production. It is entirely conceivable to produce organic dates in the region since producers use a few quantities of chemical products, notably fertilisers and phytosanitary products.

A lichenicolous fungus, Dactylospora dobrowolskii Olech et Alstrup, new to science is described. The paper reports on 9 species of lichens and lichenicolous fungi collected in the Bunger Oasis (East Antarctica).