Influences of climate change on Moroccan fir forest biodiversity: coleoptera and hymenoptera as indicators

Abstract

Climate change is a real and actual phenomenon, which threat nature stability and human life; their effects are already felt in some region of the planet. Southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean basin are amongst those regions, increased extreme weather events and strong climate fluctuations that exceed the global average like heat waves, heavy rainfall of short duration and recurring storms were recorded recently.Considered as the major component of an ecosystem since they play a critical role in soil protection, air quality, flood reduction, and a significant economic role in rural areas and for the national economy as a whole; forest ecosystems have been central to the debate and climate change issues. In Morocco, this high significance is added to their crucial role in the hydrological balance and cross-cutting implications for socio-economic and human development. In fact, Morocco has a complex and important floristic and faunistic diversity mainly represented by forest ecosystems. It conceals valuable genetic resources both for the country itself and for the Mediterranean countries community. However, biodiversity and genetic resources are in increased threat especially in the absence of specific studies on climate change impacts in vulnerable areas such as forests.In addition to forests, insects are amongst the most affected and responding organisms to climate change because of its strong direct influence on their development, reproduction, and survival. Moreover, insects have short generation times and high reproductive rates, so they are more like to respond quicker to climate change than long-lived organisms, such as plants and vertebrates. Warming can potentially affect several aspects of insect life-cycle and ecology, especially those directly controlled by energy availability variables such as degree. Consequently, potential responses include changes in phenological patterns, changes in habitat selection, and expansion and contraction of geographic and altitudinal ranges. Their ability to quick response makes them good indicators of current human- driven climate change. In this context fits our study which aims the inventory of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera associated with the Moroccan relict fir forests of Talassemtane National Park, in a way to reveal their response and their use as bioindicators in biomonitoring of forests. The sampling was led in 2 successive years (2013-2014), during 7 months (from April to October) using PolytrapTM and colored traps placed in 20 plots in the Talassemtane Fir and oak forest, combined with active field research;74 family of Coleoptera and 34 families of Hymenoptera were recorded. Among those families are bio-indicators specially saproxylic beetles, parasitoid wasps, rare and endemic species. A First statistical test proves that there is a significant correlation between Temperature degrees and insects’ arrival; also, an altitudinal effect on insects’ distribution is demonstrated. In spite of the fact that the integration of insects in forest monitoring in Morocco still innovative, due to the lack of knowledge and the taxonomic obstacle related to this group of invertebrates; such studies are necessary to establish new management policy and improve actual forest management practices