Effect of Pinus halepensis Mill. Reforestation on the Above-Ground Biomass and Internode Elongation and Leaf Size of Native Species in Morroco

This study aims to determine the effect of the reforestation of Pinus halepensis Mill. on the above-ground biomass and morphological characteristics of native species (internode elongation and leaf size) in the Beni Sohane forest. Plant biomass of the herbaceous layer was harvested on randomly selected 2 m2 quadrats in reforested plots of ± 12, ± 25, and ± 45-year-old, and native forest controls. The internode length and leaf size (length and width) were measured on plants randomly selected belonging to four native species Quercus ilex L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Phillyrea angustifolia L., and Cistus creticus L.. The results showed that P. halepensis reforestation had no significant effect on the above-ground biomass and the leaves and internodes dimensions in the young plantations ± 12-year-old. However, as the pine trees mature, the average dry matter weight decreases, especially in stands 45 years old, where this weight was significantly lower than that of natural forests. This fact has led to herders abandoning important pastures previously used by their cattle. In addition, the fast growth of P. halepensis trees formed a canopy above all indigenous species resulting in changes in the dimensions of internodes and leaves. For the two oldest plantations, the internode length, leaf width, and length of the 4 species have been significantly increased. However, the leaf length-to-width ratio decreased significantly, with leaves in reforested plots being larger rather than longer compared to control samples in native forests. Planting P. halepensis can negatively impact the long-term growth of native plants, so we recommend periodically removing some of the pines (thinning) to restore the balance of these ecosystems. Thus, species selection for reforestation should consider maximizing rather than destroying ecological and socioeconomic services

Evaluation De La Dégradation De La Chamaeropaie Du Versant Sud Du Mont « jbelLakraa » (Maroc) Etudes Floristique Et Morphométrique

Our study is devoted to the chamaeropaie degradation assessment of the jbel Lakraa southern slope, located in the northern Middle Atlas in the Ribat Al Khair region. The floristic study revealed a specific richness of 124 species belonging to 95 genera and 33 vascular plants families, as well as a specific diversity relatively high with a Shannon-Weaver index of 3.88. A relatively high specific diversity with a Shannon-Weaver index of 3.88 was observed. However, the floristic composition showed a disturbance expressed by the index of equitability which is 0.58 and a strong therophytisation of 63% with a very high perturbation index of 69%. This disturbance is also illustrated by the toxic or spiny species proliferation such as Asphodelus ramosus, Drimia maritima and Scolymus hispanicus. The morphometric study was carried out on two strata (stratum 1 anthropized - stratum 2 wooded). The Statistical analysis showed that the diameter and height of the foliage, as well as the number of leaves per individual of the tree stratum are significantly higher than those of the anthropized stratum. Furthermore, an absence of correlations between the morphometric variables was recorded in the anthropized stratum. The chamaeropaie degradation state is alarming as indicated by the floristic and morphometric results, urgent measures must be taken to regulate its exploitation and preservation

Aplicación del Estimador de Parámetros de Segmentación por Media-desplazada (EPSM) a las imágenes de satélite de muy alta resolución espacial: Tetuán (Marruecos)

Revista oficial de la Asociación Española de Teledetección[EN] Image segmentation is considered as crucial step dealing with Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) and different segmentation results could be achieved by combining possible parameters values. Optimal parameters selection is usually carried out on the basis of visual interpretation; therefore, defining optimal combinations is a challenging task. In the present research, Mean-shift Segmentation Parameters estimator (MSPE) proposed tool is applied to automate the selection of segmentation parameters values to Very High Spatial Resolution (VHSR) satellite images in the region of Tetuan city (Northern Morocco). MSPE estimates the parameters values for the Mean-shift Segmentation (MS) algorithm. However, this algorithm needs as inputs: i) existing vector database and, ii) spectral data to define automatically the segmentation parameter values. Finally, application of the MSPE method on different landscape’ types show accurate results with Under-Segmentation (US) values ≤0.20 for industrial, residential and rural zones, while for dense residential area values of 0.35.[ES] La segmentación de imágenes constituye un paso crucial en el Análisis de Imágenes Basado en Objetos (AIBO). Combinando distintos valores de los parámetros de entrada de los algoritmos de segmentación se obtienen diferentes resultados. En general, los parámetros óptimos seleccionados se determinan mediante interpretación vi-sual; por lo tanto, la definición de las combinaciones óptimas es una tarea considerablemente difícil. En la presente investigación, se propone una herramienta analítica que denominamos Estimador de Parámetros de Segmentación por Media-desplazada (EPSM) aplicada a la selección automatizada de los valores de los parámetros de segmentación en las imágenes de satélite de muy alta resolución espacial en la región de Tetuán (norte de Marruecos). El estimador EPSM necesita como entradas la Base de Datos Vectorial existente (BDV) y los datos espectrales con el fin de definir automáticamente los valores de los parámetros de segmentación. La aplicación del método EPSM a diferentes pai-sajes proporciona valores mínimos del índice de sub-segmentación (US)≤0,20 en zonas industriales, residenciales y rurales, mientras que para la zona residencial densa muestra valores de 0,35Este trabajo ha sido financiado en parte por el Ministerio de Educación Superior e Investigación Científica (Marruecos), subvenciones CSPT, proyecto: “Redes de sensores inalámbricas ad-hoc para la validación de algoritmos de teledetección”. Agradecemos igualmente a “Google Earth©” por facilitarnos gratuitamente las imágenes de muy alta resolución y a la Asociación RS&SIG de Marruecos por el soporte técnico. Esta investigación ha sido posible gracias a una subvención de la Comisión Europea en el marco del Programa Erasmus Mundus.Benarchid, O.; Raissouni, N.; Sobrino, J.; El Ayyan, A. (2015). Application of the Mean-shift Segmentation Parameters Estimator (MSPE) to VHSR satellite images: Tetuan-Morocco. Revista de Teledetección. (43):91-96. doi:10.4995/raet.2015.3511.SWORD91964

Mineralogical stabilization of Ternesite in Belite Sulfo-Aluminate Clinker elaborated from limestone, shale and phosphogypsum

This paper investigates the mineralogical evolution of sulfoaluminate clinker elaborated from moroccan prime materials limestone, shale and phosphogypsum as a byproduct from phosphoric acid factories. The advantage of the production of this type of clinker is related to the low clinkerisation temperature which is known around 1250°C, and to less consumption quantity of limestone thus enabling less CO2 emissions during the decarbonation process compared to that of Portland cement. In this study we determine the stability conditions of belite sulfoaluminate clinker containing belite (C2S) ye’elimite (C4A3$) and ternesite (C5S2$). The hydration compounds of this clinker are also investigated. The monitoring of the synthesized and hydrated phases is performed by X-Ray Diffraction and Infrared spectroscopy. The results show the formation of ternesite at 800°C and the stabilization of clinker containing y’elminite, belite and ternesite at temperatures between 1100 and 1250°C

Heat capacity of the ZrAu compound obtained by high-temperature drop calorimetry.

International audienc

Heat capacity of the AuZr compound obtained by high-temperature drop Calorimetry

International audienc

Multi-scale methodology to map grey and green structures in urban areas using Pléiades images and existing geographic data

International audienc