Scientific Area
State of knowledge on biodiversity in Morocco: state of knowledge and efforts deployed for its conservation and sustainable manage
ID: 613 / 298
Category: Abstract
Track: Pending
Proposed Symposium Title: State of knowledge on biodiversity in Morocco: state of knowledge and efforts deployed for its conservation and sustainable manage
Authors:
TALEB Mohammed Sghir
Affiliations: Department of Botany and Plant Ecology, Institut Scientifique, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco
Abstract:
Located at the northwest corner of the African continent between 21 ° and 36 ° north latitude and between the 1st and the 17th degree of west longitude, Morocco with a total area of 715,000 km2 enjoys a privileged position with a coastline of 3 446 km long opening to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean.
Its privileged location with a double coastline and its diverse mountain with four major mountain ranges: the Rif, Middle Atlas, High Atlas and Anti Atlas with altitudes exceeding 2000 m in the Rif, 3000 m in the Middle Atlas and 4000 m in the High Atlas.
The Moroccan mountains are characterized by an important forest genetic diversity represented by a rich and varied flora and many ecosystems: forest, preforest, presteppe, steppe, Sahara that spans a range of bioclimatic zones: arid, semiarid, subhumid and humid.
The vascular flora of Morocco has 3913 species and subspecies in 1298 (including 426 sub-species types), distributed among 155 families and 981 genera. The number of endemic species amounted to 640 (16%) and 280 subspecies (32%). The rare or endangered flora species is estimated to be 463 and 1284 subspecies.
However, this diversity is subjected to many natural pressures (climate change, parasitic attacks…) and antropic pressures (clearing, overgrazing etc.).
Conscious of the risks that weigh on biodiversity, Morocco set a strategy of biodiversity management that focus on programs of in-situ conservation and more 154 protected areas in Morocco are proposed for a management of their natural resources.
This presentation is focused on research conducted in Morocco in terms of ecology, flora, ecosystem of Morocco while focusing on the major threats and conservation strategies developed by Morocco to reverse negative trends.