Evaluation Exhaustive De La Diversité Des Plantes Aromatiques Et Médicinales De La Péninsule Tingitane (Maroc)

Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (AMP) represent a large part of biodiversity. However, in the absence of a detailed record of this diversity, research and AMP development projects are generally limited to a small portion of ethnobotanical heritage. To guide prospection, exploitation and conservation studies of the existing potential, a comprehensive evaluation of the natural diversity of AMP is required. The western Rif region in northern Morocco, which area represents less than 1% of national territory, is home to about 50% of the Moroccan floristic richness (2053 species and infraspecific taxa). This heritage includes 630 taxa from which only 23 are currently exploited and merely 57% are recognized by ethno-botanists. Among these assets, a list is drawn up containing 106 taxa with a special conservation status (very rare or rare taxa, and / or endemic and / or threatened) and some of which are widely exploited. From a phytosociological point of view and based on an available database of 449 floristic samples, natural forest stands and matorrals contain about 27% of all MAP of the study area. These AMP organize almost half the floristic composition of sclerophyllous forests (oleaster, kermes oak and cork oak forest) and about a third of the richness of each of the other groups analyzed (thermophilic formations, pure fir, limestone mountains forest, calcifuges deciduous, maritime pine, matorrals). Mountain groups are the richest in exclusive, endemic, rare and endangered AMP

Integration of stakeholder choices and multi-criteria analysis to support land use planning in semiarid areas

The ecosystem services concept is increasingly considered as a policy tool to achieve the sustainable use of natural resources. However, it is still not sufficiently integrated into land use planning. We assessed five land use types (Tetraclinis articulata woodlands, Pinus halepensis plantations, Shrublands, Cereal-almond crops and Cactus groves) in a semiarid area of northern Morocco using empirical data on 17 ecosystem services whose weights were established by 67 stakeholders. The analysis included MCA and direct ranking of the five land uses. Three groups of stakeholders (scientists and managers, collaborators, and direct users of natural resources) were particularly concerned by water supply, protection against erosion and floods, soil fertility and food provision. Multi-criteria analysis showed that the three groups concurred in that Tetraclinis woodlands, crops and cactus fields were the most suitable land uses for the area, regarding ecosystem service provision. Direct ranking confirmed this tendency but showed some divergence between the three groups, as collaborators and users were more inclined towards crops and cactus. The integration of the ecosystem services concept in land use planning is needed to be more practical and easily perceived as a logical response to environmental exigencies and social aspirations.The work was carried out in the University of Abdelmalek Essaadi (Tétouan, Morocco) and the University of Alicante (Spain), and was funded by the projects SEMER (AECID: Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo, Programa de Cooperación Interuniversitaria AECI-PCI AP/040315/11), RESEP2B (University of Alicante), UNCROACH and TERECOVA (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation; CGL2011-30581-C02-01 and CGL2014-52714-C2-1-R)

MODÉLISATION DE LA DISTRIBUTION SPATIALE DES PARAMÈTRES BIOCLIMATIQUES DANS LA REGION TANGERTETOUAN (RIF OCCIDENTAL)

This work focuses on mapping the main bioclimatic factors in the region of Tangier -Tetouan (western Rif) in Morocco. This is with the view of integrating them into the modeling of the potential distribution of native plant species. These factors include the Annual Mean precipitation (Pmoy), Annual Mean Temperature (Tmoy), mean maximum temperature of the hottest month (Tmin), and the mean minimum temperature of the coldest month (Tmax). The adopted technique is the statistical modeling, which allows us to estimate such factors based on topographic and geographic variables. The backward stepwise multiple regression method which was applied, and the deterministic models obtained, have been corrected by the stochastic components that were interpolated by the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW). The results of this modeling are discussed in the light of the results of other works of the same theme, as compared to previous descriptions of the climatic environment in the area. The results are satisfactory in the case of the average annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, and the mean minimum temperature of the coldest month, with coefficients of determination (R²) of 0,76, 0,97 and 0,74, respectively. However, this ratio reached its lowest value (0,55) for the average of the maximum temperature of the warmest month. The assessment of the accuracy of the results obtained for the mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperatures was performed by calculating the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). These tests have shown that stochastic components contribute significantly to the improvement of deterministic model

Similarities in stakeholder identification of restoration targets in a semiarid area

Ecological restoration is a suitable tool to revert the decline in the provision of ecosystem services in semiarid areas. Stakeholder opinion has been increasingly incorporated in ecological restoration strategies. However, the debate still exists whether the opinion of scientists and managers should be integrated together with that of local stakeholders in the decision making process. We assessed the restoration priorities in a semiarid area in North Morocco according to the opinion of 67 stakeholders, including scientists and managers, direct users and collaborators. The questions consisted in (i) ranking five categories of services in addition to economic benefits, and in (ii) comparing pairs of services within each category. We checked for both cardinal and ordinal inconsistency. The results showed an overall consensus about regulating and supporting services as the most valuable categories. More specifically, the most important services were erosion and flood control, soil fertility, water supply and species richness. The accuracy of the responses of the three groups was similar as the consistency for their judgments was not significantly different. Our results bring additional proof that the opinion of scientists, managers and local stakeholders should be considered of similar interest and accuracy when defining the most suitable restoration objectives.The research was carried out in the University of Abdelmalek Essaadi (Tétouan, Morocco) and the University of Alicante (Spain) and was funded by the projects SEMER (AECID: Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo, Programa de Cooperación Interuniversitaria AECI-PCI AP/040315/11), RESEP2B (University of Alicante) and UNCROACH (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation; CGL2011-30581-C02-01), in collaboration with the Forest Administration of Al Hoceima in N Morocco

Social learning to promote forest restoration in a semi-arid landscape in North Africa

Forest restoration is a suitable tool to mitigate land degradation and enhance the supply of vital goods and services. Social participation in forest restoration has gained increasing interest. Yet, the impact of participation on people's perception of ecological restoration and the restoration process has barely been addressed despite its relevance for the long-term success of restoration actions. We assessed mutual learning of different stakeholder groups in a ten-year demonstration project, and its potential to foster continued participatory forest restoration in Beni Boufrah valley, a semiarid area located in North Morocco. We performed face-to-face interviews to assess post-restoration individual learning for a subset of 15 highly engaged stakeholders using five components of social learning: reciprocal determinism, self-reflective capability, expectations, self-regulation and locus of control. Furthermore, we organized a workshop to assess collective learning in the study area. The lessons learnt by the project team was described using monitoring vegetation measurements, field visits and meetings, and stakeholder recommendations. Two thirds of the stakeholders showed an increasing awareness of the reciprocal relationship between people and the environment, while recognizing the inappropriateness of current behaviors and practices. Farmers showed continuous mistrust towards the Forestry Agency which justifies the need for more innovative approaches to resolve persistent conflicts, integrate forest and agricultural interventions and establish new mechanisms for economic motivation. Stakeholders acquired theoretical and practical concepts on forest restoration, but self-initiated activities were scarce and reinforcement of environmental awareness is still needed. There was a high impact of drought on seedling survival and growth along with a decrease in stakeholder engagement over the years. We could identify and implement a series of practical corrective measures, namely participatory re-planting, plot fencing, establishment of a local monitoring committee, and raising awareness activities. Such participatory implementation of corrective measures may enhance the credibility of the restoration process and it can be further tested in similar semiarid areas of North Africa even at a larger scale.This study was carried out within the framework of the project SREPA funded by the University of Alicante (Proyectos de Cooperación Universitaria para el Desarrollo), “La Caixa” Foundation, the Society for Biological and Ibero-African Studies (SEBI) in Murcia-Spain, and Conselleria d’Innovació, Universitats, Ciència i Societat Digital, Generalitat Valenciana (Project R2D, CIPROM/2021/001)

A proposed framework for participatory forest restoration in semiarid areas of North Africa

Ecological restoration is a suitable tool to revert land degradation in semiarid areas. Social participation is increasingly considered as a guarantee for the long‐term success and sustainability of restoration projects. In rural areas of North African countries, experiences of participatory restoration are still not frequent, and poverty and illiteracy with top‐down approaches boost land‐use conflicts and raise skepticism toward restoration programs. We developed a framework for forest restoration based on knowledge share, trust, and active stakeholder participation in all restoration steps. The framework was tested through a demonstrative project aimed at restoring Tetraclinis articulata forests in a semiarid area of North Morocco, in which scientists, managers, and local stakeholders were involved in all steps of the restoration process: identification of restoration priorities, assessment of land‐use options, definition of the restoration procedure, participatory plantation, evaluation, surveillance, and monitoring. In a 1 ha plot, 250 plants were planted by 90 participants in a spirit of knowledge exchange, mutual aid, environmental education, and social solidarity. After 2 years, the plot remains intact, free of any act of vandalism and grazing, and shows signals of improved ecosystem functioning. A wider application of the proposed framework in current restoration strategies will enhance our understanding of the factors behind social acceptance and support for restoration projects.This study was carried out by the University of Abdelmalek Esaàdi (Tétouan, Morocco) and the University of Alicante (Spain), and was funded by the projects SEMER (AECID: Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo, Programa de Cooperación Interuniversitaria AECI-PCI AP/040315/11), RESEP2B (University of Alicante), UNCROACH and TERECOVA (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation; CGL2011-30581-C02-01 and CGL2014-52714-C2-1-R)

Detecting Fire-Caused Forest Loss in a Moroccan Protected Area

Fire is a concern for the sustainability of dry forests such as those of the Mediterranean region, especially under warming climate and high human use. We used data derived from Landsat and MODIS sensors to assess forest changes in the Talassemtane National Park (TNP) in North Africa from 2003–2018. The Talassemtane National Park is a protected area in northern Morocco, a biodiverse, mountainous region with endemic species of concern such as the Moroccan fir (Abies marocana) and Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus). To help the managers of the TNP better understand how the forest has been impacted by fire vs. other disturbances, we combined information from remotely derived datasets. The Hansen Global Forest Change (GFC) data are a global resource providing annual forest change, but without specifying the causes of change. We compared the GFC data to MODIS wildfire data from Andela’s Global Fire Atlas (GFA), a new global tool to identify fire locations and progression. We also analyzed surface reflectance-corrected Landsat imagery to calculate fire severity and vegetation death using Relative Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio analysis (RdNBR). In the park, GFC data showed a net loss of 1695 ha over 16 years, corresponding to an approximately 0.3% annual loss of forest. The GFA identified nine large fires that covered 4440 ha in the study period, coinciding with 833 ha of forest loss in the same period. Within these fires, detailed image analysis showed that GFA fire boundaries were approximately correct, providing the first quantitative test of GFA accuracy outside North America. High-severity fire, as determined by RdNBR analysis, made up about 32% of burned area. Overall, the GFA was validated as a useful management tool with only one non-detected wildfire in the study period; wildfires were linked to approximately 49% of the forest loss. This information helps managers develop conservation strategies based on reliable data about forest threats

Detecting Fire-Caused Forest Loss in a Moroccan Protected Area

Fire is a concern for the sustainability of dry forests such as those of the Mediterranean region, especially under warming climate and high human use. We used data derived from Landsat and MODIS sensors to assess forest changes in the Talassemtane National Park (TNP) in North Africa from 2003–2018. The Talassemtane National Park is a protected area in northern Morocco, a biodiverse, mountainous region with endemic species of concern such as the Moroccan fir (Abies marocana) and Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus). To help the managers of the TNP better understand how the forest has been impacted by fire vs. other disturbances, we combined information from remotely derived datasets. The Hansen Global Forest Change (GFC) data are a global resource providing annual forest change, but without specifying the causes of change. We compared the GFC data to MODIS wildfire data from Andela’s Global Fire Atlas (GFA), a new global tool to identify fire locations and progression. We also analyzed surface reflectance-corrected Landsat imagery to calculate fire severity and vegetation death using Relative Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio analysis (RdNBR). In the park, GFC data showed a net loss of 1695 ha over 16 years, corresponding to an approximately 0.3% annual loss of forest. The GFA identified nine large fires that covered 4440 ha in the study period, coinciding with 833 ha of forest loss in the same period. Within these fires, detailed image analysis showed that GFA fire boundaries were approximately correct, providing the first quantitative test of GFA accuracy outside North America. High-severity fire, as determined by RdNBR analysis, made up about 32% of burned area. Overall, the GFA was validated as a useful management tool with only one non-detected wildfire in the study period; wildfires were linked to approximately 49% of the forest loss. This information helps managers develop conservation strategies based on reliable data about forest threats