Rethinking Oasis Research in North Africa and Sahel: A Systematic Review of Scientific Gaps, Methodological Biases, and Conservation Priorities for Agrobiodiversity

Abstract

North African oases constitute critical socio-ecosystems characterised by complex agro-biodiversity and millennia of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Nevertheless, such fragile landscapes are confronted with mounting pressures from climate change and an-thropogenic activities driven by agri-industrial modernisation. This systematic review, executed in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, appraises the contemporary state of scientific literature concerning agrobiodiversity and local knowledge in North African oases, with the objective of identifying evolutionary trends and crucial research gaps. A comprehensive search of the Web of Science database yielded a substantial corpus of 270 studies, which were subsequently subjected to a rigorous, standardised analysis to ascertain the reliability and validity of the results. The results obtained demonstrate a significant structural imbalance in the distribution of research efforts. Geographically, there is a notable concentration of studies in the Maghreb region (Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco), which collectively account for over 80% of the extant literature. In contrast, the Sahelo-Saharan arc remains significantly under-researched. The thematic orientation of re-search remains predominantly reductionist and species-centric, with a preponderance of studies focused on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and conventional agronomy. This narrow focus obscures the functional intricacies of the three-tiered stratified system and its agropastoral interconnections. Moreover, although the need to assess landscape degradation and knowledge erosion is urgent, the integration of geospatial technologies (GIS), accounting for a mere 1.5% of studies, with ethnobotanical approaches remains marginal. The necessity for a paradigm shift is emphasised by these findings. It is essential that future research adopts transdisciplinary frameworks, which should integrate advanced geospatial monitoring with the socio-economic revitalisation of TEK. This transition is required to occur from a utilitarian perspective to holistic, locally grounded conservation strategies. The latter should ensure the long-term resilience of such agroecosystems.