Mohjat Belaatar

This study analyzes the olive tree in the Menara Garden (Marrakech) to elucidate its role in the resilience of semi-arid urban agroecosystems. By combining hyperspectral remote sensing, bioeconomic modeling, and biophysical analyses, it quantifies the ecosystem services provided by the park (100 ha, 10000 trees). The results demonstrate optimal microclimate regulation (evapotranspiration accounting for 53.21% of the water balance), significant pollutant sequestration (carbon dioxide (CO₂), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM)), soil stabilization, and circular valorization of 268 t/year of biomass. These performances stem from adaptive traits (adjustable stomatal conductance, phenotypic plasticity), enabling water savings of 35 ± 5%. The study proposes a framework integrating plant physiology, ecosystem services, and SDGs, advocating for urban policies refocused on green infrastructure as pillars of sustainability in semi-arid zones.

Background: Social phobia is one of the most widespread mental disorders among young people, especially students. It may be due to several factors, the most important of which is violence and its various subtypes. Aim: The main objective of the study was to identify the subtypes of violence that might be considered risk factors for social phobia. Methods: In this descriptive study, the participants were students at different institutions of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Morocco. In total, we interviewed 1191 students of which 1154 are aged between 18 and 28, 34 between 29 and 39, 2 students are 44, and only 1 is 64, using the M.I.N.I. questionnaire, along with a background questionnaire that contains questions about childhood information and risk factors such as exposure to violence. Results: The prevalence of social phobia among the students in this study was 27% (321 students) of whom 138 students (44.7%) had experienced physical violence, 108 (42.5%) had experienced psychological violence, and only 52 (36.9%) had experienced sexual violence. Conclusions: The Moroccan population, despite its diversity, customs, and education, remains similar to other populations in terms of mental health and mental disorders.

This work studied self-reports from adolescents on how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their behaviors, relationships, mood, and victimization. Data collection was conducted between September 2020 and February 2021 in five countries (Sweden, the USA, Serbia, Morocco, and Vietnam). In total, 5114 high school students (aged 15 to 19 years, 61.8% females) responded to our electronic survey. A substantial proportion of students reported decreased time being outside (41.7%), meeting friends in real life (59.4%), and school performance (30.7%), while reporting increased time to do things they did not have time for before (49.3%) and using social media to stay connected (44.9%). One third of the adolescents increased exercise and felt that they have more control over their life. Only a small proportion of adolescents reported substance use, norm-breaking behaviors, or victimization. The overall COVID-19 impact on adolescent life was gender-specific: we found a stronger negative impact on female students. The results indicated that the majority of adolescents could adapt to the dramatic changes in their environment. However, healthcare institutions, municipalities, schools, and social services could benefit from the findings of this study in their work to meet the needs of those young people who signaled worsened psychosocial functioning, increased stress, and victimization.