The Moroccan forest and sustainable development case of the argan tree Argania spinosa L. Skeels in Morocco

Year 2017, Supplement 2, 1 - 7, 15.08.2017

Said Laarıbya Assmaa Alaouı Najib Gmıra

Abstract

The argan tree Argania spinosa L. Skeels is an endemic species of the Moroccan Southwest, plays a major role in the lives of rural societies in a region marked by aridity and magnitude of climate change. From an ecological standpoint, it is worth noting the xerophilous and thermophilic character of the species. It grows in semi-arid and arid temperate and warm as long as the relative air humidity is sufficient. Its ability to enjoy atmospheric water distinguishes it from all other forest species. This space consists of argan fragile ecosystems accentuated ecological variation, is an open system, complex and multifunctional. However, the pressure on these areas is materialized by a worrying degradation due to malfunction of their physiological mechanisms, biological and sociological. These malfunctions, due to population pressure, overgrazing and urbanization, were amplified by the austere climate change over the past two decades. The current state of this forest area calls all stakeholders to develop sustainable management ensuring, firstly, the sustainability of forest resources and, secondly, better adaptation to climate change

Keywords

Moroccan forest, argan tree Argania spinosa, degradation, climate change, population pressure

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