Diversité floristique du Parc National du Haut Atlas Oriental et des Massifs ayachi et Maâsker (Maroc).

Diversité floristique du Parc National du Haut Atlas Oriental et des massifs Ayachi et Maâsker (Maroc). Etant donné la rareté des études sur le Parc National du Haut Atlas Oriental et les massifs Ayachi et Maâsker, les connaissances sur la diversité floristique de ces régions, très accidentées, étaient très insuffisantes et fragmentaires. Actuellement la flore vasculaire du Parc, jbels Ayachi et Maâsker est estimée respectivement à 227, 140 et 96 espèces; la flore rare, menacée et/ou endémique constitue une part importante. Le nombre d�endémiques dans le Parc (espèces et sous espèces) représente 6.8 % de l�ensemble des endémiques marocaines. Ce nombre est très important dans l�Ayachi avec 7.5 %. Dans le Maâsker, le nombre d�endémiques est évalué à 3.9 % de l�ensemble des endémiques marocaines. La flore rare (espèces et sous-espèces) est représentée par 3.6 % de la flore totale du Parc, 4 % de la flore totale du jbel Ayachi et 4 % de la flore totale du jbel Maâsker. Par contre le taux de la flore très rare est faible, respectivement de l�ordre de 1.9 %, 2 % et 2.4 %.Flora diversity of the National Park of the Eastern High Atlas and the massifs Ayachi and Mâasker (Morocco). Considering the rare studies on the Eastern High Atlas National Park, Ayachi and Mâasker mountains, the knowledge on the flora diversity of these regions were very insufficient.Their flora is estimated currently 227, 140 and 96 species. The rare flora, threatened and/or endemic constitutes an important part. The number of endemics in the Park (species and subspecies) represents 6.8% of the endemics of Morocco. This number is very important in Ayachi (7.5%). In Maasker, the number of endemics is about 3.9% of the endemic of Morocco. The rare flora (species and subspecies) in the Park, Ayachi and Maasker is represented respectively by 3.6%, 4%, and 4%. On the other hand the very rare flora is poor respectively 1.9%, 2% and 2.4%

Steppes and Grasslands in Morocco: Diversity, Functional Ecology and Socio-Economic Role

With Morocco’s geographical situation (at the crossroads between Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean), its diverse climate and habitats supports a varied natural vegetation. The floristic richness of the country is related to the heterogeneity of biotypes. From the desert to the high mountains and the littoral to the continental borders, Morocco offers varied ecological conditions that support many different plant species. Steppes and grasslands are important parts of the main plant associations encountered in Morocco. They contain a wealth of flora, play important ecological roles and, from a socioeconomic perspective, are highly significant

Phytosociological study of the presteppic groups ofthe National Eastern High Atlas Park and surrounding areas (Morocco)

The presteppic vegetation of the National Eastern High Atlas Park and surrounding areas (Ayachi and Masker mountains) shows 12 associations organized in 2 alliances, 2 orders and 1 class. Ephedro-Juniperetalia is the most important order with one alliance Junipero-Quercion and 12 associations. Pistacio-Rhamnetalia has one alliance Junipero oxycedri-Rhamnion atlanticae and 1 association. Phytosociological, ecological and chorological details are given for each association. Three new associations are represented for the first time; these are Buxo balearicae-Juniperetum phoeniceae, Berberido hispanicae-Ribesetum uva-crispae and Junipero communi-Prunesetum prostratae. A new status is offered for Bupleuro spinosae-Juniperetum thuriferae which was considered by Achhal (1986) to be a juniperetosum sub-association of Bupleuro spinosae-Juniperetum phoeniceae. The study shows and confirms wealth and diversity of the dition plant structures, a part of which is rightfully classified as national park. The authors also recall the problem of strong human pressure on all studied habitats and give concrete proposals for the management of the ParkLa végétation présteppique (s.l.) du Parc National du Haut Atlas Oriental et ses bordures (jbels Ayachi et Masker) montre de nos jours 12 associations qui se rattachent à 2 alliances, 2 ordres et une classe. L'ordre des Ephedro-Juniperetalia est très largement en tête avec une alliance Junipero-Quercion représentée par 12 associations. L'ordre des Pistacio-Rhamnetalia n'est représenté que par une seule association qui se rattache à l'alliance Junipero oxycedri-Rhamnion atlanticae. Pour chaque association, les aspects phytosociologiques, dynamiques et chorologiques sont présentés et discutés. Trois associations nouvelles sont décrites pour la première fois, ce sont Buxo balearicae-Juniperetum phoeniceae, Berberido hispanicae-Ribesetum uva-crispae et Junipero communi-Prunesetum prostratae. Un nouveau statut est proposé pour Bupleuro spinosae-Juniperetum thuriferae qui a été considéré par Achhal (1986) comme une sous-association juniperetosum du Bupleuro spinosae-Juniperetum phoeniceae. L'étude met ainsi en lumière et confirme la richesse et la diversité des strutures végétales de la dition dont une partie est classée à juste titre comme parc national. Les auteurs évoquent également le problème de la forte pression anthropozoogène sur tous les milieux étudiés et donnent des propositions concrètes pour la gestion du parc

Developing policy-relevant biodiversity indicators : lessons learnt from case studies in Africa

There is an increasing need for monitoring schemes that help understand the evolution of the global biodiversity crisis and propose solutions for the future. Indicators, including temporal baselines, are crucial to measure the change in biodiversity over time, to evaluate progress towards its conservation and sustainable use and to set conservation priorities. They help design and monitor national and regional policies on biodiversity; they also feed into national reporting on international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals. We analyse the methodological approach of five small African projects resulting from a call to promote indicator development, improve monitoring capacity and strengthen the science-policy interface in the field of biodiversity. We compared their approach to existing guidance provided by the international community, specifically the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership. To this end, we assess whether internationally recommended steps are effectively applied to national/local biodiversity monitoring in selected developing countries. We also present lessons learnt from workshop interactions between partners involved in these projects. Through our pilot projects we identified data availability and data accessibility, together with the involvement of stakeholders, as critical steps in indicator development. Moreover, there is a need for a better awareness and a wider application of the indicator concept itself. Hence, training of key actors both in the policy and science spheres is needed to operationalize indicators and ensure their continuity and sustainability. We hope that these case studies and lessons learnt can stimulate and support countries in the Global South to formulate policy-relevant biodiversity indicators.Peer reviewe

Conservation assessments and Red Listing of the endemic Moroccan flora (monocotyledons)

Morocco constitutes an important centre of plant diversity and speciation in the Mediterranean Basin. However, numerous species are threatened by issues ranging from human activities to global climatic change. In this study, we present the conservation assessments and Red Listing of the endemic Moroccan monocotyledons according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and categories. For each species, we include basic taxonomic information, local names and synonyms, uses, a distribution map, extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, population size and trend, a description of habitats and ecological requirements, and a discussion of the threats affecting the species and habitats. We assessed the threatened status of the endemic Moroccan monocotyledons at the species level (59 species) using the IUCN Red List criteria and categories (Version 3.1). This study shows the high extinction risk to the Moroccan monocotyledon flora, with 95% of threatened species (20% Critically Endangered, 50% Endangered, 25% Vulnerable) and only 5% not threatened (2% Near Threatened and 3% Least Concern). The flora is thus of conservation concern, which is poorly recognized, both nationally and internationally. The study presents the first part and so far the only national IUCN Red Data List for a large group of Moroccan plants, and thus provides an overview of the threatened Moroccan flora. This IUCN Red List is an important first step towards the recognition of the danger to Moroccan biodiversity hotspots, conservation of threatened species and the raising of public awareness at national and international levels

Moroccan Mountains: Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity Conservation Strategies

Forest ecosystems in Morocco are subject increasingly to natural and human pressures. Conscious of this problem, Morocco set a strategy that focuses on programs of in-situ and ex-situ biodiversity conservation. This study is the result of a synthesis of various existing studies on biodiversity and forest ecosystems. It gives an overview of Moroccan mountain forest ecosystems and flora diversity. It also focuses on the efforts made by Morocco to conserve and sustainably manage biodiversity

Étude phytosociologique des groupements présteppiques du Parc National du Haut Atlas Oriental et ses bordures (Maroc)

Summary.— Phytosociological study of the presteppic groups of the National Eastern High Atlas Park and surrounding areas (Morocco).— The presteppic vegetation of the National Eastern High Atlas Park and surrounding areas (Ayachi and Masker mountains) shows 12 associations organized in 2 alliances, 2 orders and 1 class. Ephedro-Juniperetalia is the most important order with one alliance Junipero-Quercion and 12 associations. Pistacio-Rhamnetalia has one alliance Junipero oxycedri-Rhamnion atlanticae and 1 association. Phytosociological, ecological and chorological details are given for each association. Three new associations are represented for the first time ; these are Buxo balearicae-Juniperetum phoeniceae, Berberido hispanicae-Ribesetum uva-crispae and Junipero communi-Prunesetum prostratae. A new status is offered for Bupleuro spinosae-Juniperetum thuriferae which was considered by Achhal (1986) to be a juniperetosum sub-association of Bupleuro spinosae-Juniperetum phoeniceae. The study shows and confirms wealth and diversity of the dition plant structures, a part of which is rightfully classified as national park. The authors also recall the problem of strong human pressure on all studied habitats and give concrete proposals for the management of the Park.Résumé .— La végétation présteppique (s. l.) du Parc National du Haut Atlas Oriental et ses bordures (jbels Ayachi et Masker) montre de nos jours 12 associations qui se rattachent à 2 alliances, 2 ordres et une classe. L’ordre des Ephedro-Juniperetalia est très largement en tête avec une alliance Junipero-Quercion représentée par 12 associations. L’ordre des Pistacio-Rhamnetalia n’est représenté que par une seule association qui se rattache à l’alliance Junipero oxycedri-Rhamnion atlanticae. Pour chaque association, les aspects phytosociologiques, dynamiques et chorologiques sont présentés et discutés. Trois associations nouvelles sont décrites pour la première fois, ce sont Buxo balearicae-Juniperetum phoeniceae, Berberido hispanicae-Ribesetum uva-crispae et Junipero communi-Prunesetum prostratae. Un nouveau statut est proposé pour Bupleuro spinosae-Juniperetum thuriferae qui a été considéré par Achhal (1986) comme une sous-association juniperetosum du Bupleuro spinosae-Juniperetum phoeniceae. L’étude met ainsi en lumière et confirme la richesse et la diversité des strutures végétales de la dition dont une partie est classée à juste titre comme parc national. Les auteurs évoquent également le problème de la forte pression anthropozoogène sur tous les milieux étudiés et donnent des propositions concrètes pour la gestion du parc.Sghir Taleb Mohammed, Fennane Mohamed. Étude phytosociologique des groupements présteppiques du Parc National du Haut Atlas Oriental et ses bordures (Maroc). In: Revue d'Écologie (La Terre et La Vie), tome 65, n°2, 2010. pp. 97-128

Relationship between seed size and related functional traits in North Saharan Acacia woodlands

Background and aims – North Saharan Acacia woodland is a fragile ecosystem altered by desertification and human activities. Little research has been conducted on the ecology of North Saharan Acacia woodland species. Seed size is a key trait to determine germination success, survival rate and establishment of Acacia woodland species under desert constraints.Methods – We analysed seed-size relationships in 42 selected woody plants in four different types of Acacia woodland vegetation which correspond to 26 plant species. We examined the correlation among seed size, fruit size, plant height, leaf size and flowering time and we tested seed size and fruit size variation among growth forms, dispersal modes and mechanisms to prevent dispersal. Key results – Close relationships were found between seed size and fruit size (r = 0. 77**), between fruit size and plant height (r = 0.51**) and between seed size and flowering duration (r = -0.46*) and a weak positive relationship was found between fruit and leaf size. Species with restricted spatial dispersal tended to have smaller seeds and fruits compared to those with well-developed spatial dispersal. Species which disperse and germinate throughout the year tended to have large diaspores, whereas species with seasonal germination tended to have small diaspores. The relationship between seed size and growth form/plant height was strong for gravity-dispersed (barochorous) species secondarily dispersed by vertebrates (Ziziphus lotus), seeds with secondary wind-assisted dispersal (Zilla spinosa subsp. macroptera) and for restricted-dispersal species (Tetraena gaetula). Precocious, short-flowering species that spread dispersal and germination over time (Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana) tended to have large seeds. Early- and long-flowering herbaceous species tended to have small seeds (Brocchia cinerea).Conclusion – Close relationships are found between seed size and fruit size, between fruit size and plant height and between seed size and flowering duration in Moroccan Acacia woodland species

Relationship between seed size and related functional traits in North Saharan Acacia woodlands

Background and aims – North Saharan Acacia woodland is a fragile ecosystem altered by desertification and human activities. Little research has been conducted on the ecology of North Saharan Acacia woodland species. Seed size is a key trait to determine germination success, survival rate and establishment of Acacia woodland species under desert constraints.Methods – We analysed seed-size relationships in 42 selected woody plants in four different types of Acacia woodland vegetation which correspond to 26 plant species. We examined the correlation among seed size, fruit size, plant height, leaf size and flowering time and we tested seed size and fruit size variation among growth forms, dispersal modes and mechanisms to prevent dispersal. Key results – Close relationships were found between seed size and fruit size (r = 0. 77**), between fruit size and plant height (r = 0.51**) and between seed size and flowering duration (r = -0.46*) and a weak positive relationship was found between fruit and leaf size. Species with restricted spatial dispersal tended to have smaller seeds and fruits compared to those with well-developed spatial dispersal. Species which disperse and germinate throughout the year tended to have large diaspores, whereas species with seasonal germination tended to have small diaspores. The relationship between seed size and growth form/plant height was strong for gravity-dispersed (barochorous) species secondarily dispersed by vertebrates (Ziziphus lotus), seeds with secondary wind-assisted dispersal (Zilla spinosa subsp. macroptera) and for restricted-dispersal species (Tetraena gaetula). Precocious, short-flowering species that spread dispersal and germination over time (Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana) tended to have large seeds. Early- and long-flowering herbaceous species tended to have small seeds (Brocchia cinerea).Conclusion – Close relationships are found between seed size and fruit size, between fruit size and plant height and between seed size and flowering duration in Moroccan Acacia woodland species