Submitted:
02 February 2025
Posted:
03 February 2025
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The vegetation cover in Morocco is impacted profoundly by human activities and climate change. However, the majority of ecosystems are not yet assessed. Using the sampling of vegetation, climate data, substrate (geological) map and altitudes (Digital Elevation Model) the phytoecology of species is constructed. The study revealed that the geopark contain 565 species. Floristic analysis, using correspondence analysis test, demonstrates that species are grouped into six distinct blocks. Block 1 comprises a set of Quercus ilex forests. Block 2 encompasses Juniperus phoenicea lands and transition zones between Q. ilex and J. phoenicea. Block 3 represents Pinus halepensis forests and pine occurrences within Q. ilex and J. phoenicea stands. Block 4 indicates the emergence of xerophytic species alongside the aforementioned species, suggesting the upper limits of Blocks 1, 2, and 3. Block 5 corresponds to formations dominated by Juniperus thurifera in association with xerophytes. Block 6 groups together a set of xerophytic species characteristic of high mountain environments. The formations species sampled are: Q. ilex that colonizes the subhumid zones, J. phoenicea, Tetraclinis articulata and P. halepensis occupy the hot part of the semi-arid while the J. thurifera and xerophytes inhabits its cold part. The thermo-Mediterranean vegetation level occupies low altitudes and is dominated by Tetraclinis articulata, J. phoenicea, and Olea europaea. The meso-Mediterranean level extends to intermediate altitudes and is dominated by Q. ilex and J. phoenicea. The supra-Mediterranean level, also found at intermediate altitudes, is dominated by Q. ilex, Arbutus unedo, and Cistus creticus. The mountain Mediterranean level, located in high mountains, is dominated by J. thurifera associated with xerophytes. Finally, the oro-Mediterranean level, found at extreme altitudes, is dominated by xerophytes. Generally, Q. ilex formations prefer limestone substrates. P. halepensis occupies limestone, clays, and conglomerates. J. phoenicea is more commonly associated with clays and sandstones. Xerophytic species and J. thurifera tend to inhabit limestone substrates. Some species within this region are endemic, rare, and threatened. Consequently, the implementation of effective conservation and protection policies is crucial.
Blocs | Transects | Abundant Species | |
---|---|---|---|
Bloc 1 | F1 | T6, T14, T4, T2, T5, T1, T56, T7 |
Quercus ilex, Anchusa azurea, Astragalus incanus, Bromus madritensis, Campanula filicaulis, Catananche caerulea, Echinops spinosissimus, Lactuca tenerrima, Silene vulgaris, asperula hirsuta, Picnomon acarna, |
F2 | T34, T36, T32, T15, T8, T35, T31, T10, T25, T9, T45, T18, T11 |
Galium tricornicum, Papaver rhoeas, Bromus madritensis, Quercus ilex, Anchusa azurea, Medicago minima, Mantisalca salmantica, Plantago afra, Scolymus hispanicus, Beta macrocarpa, Medicago monspeliaca, Silene vulgaris, Sonchus asper | |
F3 | T3, T13, T29, T17, T57, T39, T20, T23, T19, T24, T22, T16 | Quercus ilex, Hordeum murinum, Asphodelus macrocarpus, Galium tricornicum, Romulea bulbocodium, Anchusa azurea, asperula hirsuta, Astragalus hamosus, Echinaria capitata, Echinops spinosissimus, Ononis cristata, Salvia verbenaca | |
Bloc 2 | F4 | T146, T78, T145, T51, T55, T27, T42, T46 | Quercus ilex, Clematis cirrhosa, Echinops spinosissimus, Arthemisia herba alba, Bromus madritensis, Buxus balearica, Carlina hispanica, Chamaerops humilis,Convolvulus althaeoides, Hordeum murinum Juniperus phoenicea |
F5 | T100, T47, T41, T107, T85, T30, T101, T86, T125, T43, T106, T99, T82, T105 | Juniperus phoenicea, Anchusa azurea, Quercus ilex, Silene vulgaris, Alyssum alyssoides, Asperula arvensis, Atractylis cancellata, Avena fatua, Dactylis glomerata ; Erodium cicutarium, Hedypnois rhagadioloides, Isatis tinctoria, Lactuca tenerrima, Medicago minima, Papaver rhoeas, schismus barbatus, Torilis leptophylla | |
F6 | T89, T69, T120, T75, T94, T62, T67, T68, T72, T118, T129, T81, T61, T92, T96, T66, T71, T95, T73, T104, T63, T81, T49, T88, T91, T93, T90, T101, T64, T93, T63 | Juniperus phoenicea, Stipellula capensis, Chamaerops humilis, Bromus madritensis, Pistacia lentiscus, Atractylis cancellata, A. sterilis, Torilis nodosa, Ceratonia siliqua, Cladanthus arabicus, Sonchus oleraceus, Tetraclinis articulata, Ziziphus lotus, Euphorbia resinifera… | |
F7 | T139, T111, T133, T102 T77, T98, T28 T84, T87, T80, T103, T110, T144, T130, T131, T121, T49, T46 | Juniperus phoenicea, Picnomon acarna, Pinus halepensis, Buxus balearica, Quercus ilex, Thymus algeriensis, Lactuca tenerrima, Thymus saturejoides, Ajuga iva, Chondrella jencea, Crambe filiformis, Dactylis glomerata, Deverra scoparia, Genista scorpius, Globularia nainii, Lactuca viminea, Phagnalon saxatile, Phillyrea angustifolia, Salvia verbenaca, Teucrium polium, Thymus zygis | |
Bloc 3 | F8 | T127, T140, T117, T135, T151, T126 | Pinus halepensis, Globularia nainii, Buxus balearica, C. corymbosa, Centaurea melitensis, Cistus creticus, Euphorbia niceensis, Fraxinus angustifolia, Fumana ericoides, Narsturia officinalis, Polygala balansae, Sedum sediforme, Stipellula capensis |
F9 | T44, T148, T132, T150 | Thymus zygis, Anarrhinum fruticosum, Globularia nainii, Arbutus unedo, Astragalus incanus, Euphorbia taurinensis, Ononis pusilla, Fraxinus angustifolia, Schismus barbatus, Ajuga iva, | |
F10 | T141, T143, T116, T136, T142, 128, | Juniperus phoenicea, Xanthium spinosus, Ajuga iva, Andryala integrifolia, Capparis spinosa, Crambe filiformis, Dittrichia viscosa, Erodium cicutarium, Globularia alypum, Melilotus sulcatus, Mentha peligium, Mentha suaveolens, Nerium oleander, Pinus halepensis, Pistacia lentiscus, Polypogon minspeliensis, Schismus barbatus | |
F11 | T124, T119, T112, T149, T137, T108, T114, T113, T115, T147 | Globularia nainii, Hirschfeldia incana, Lythrum junceum, Pinus halepensis, Pistacia lentiscus, Polygala balansae, Teucrium polium, Bombycilaena erecta, Centaurea calcitrapa, Chondrella jencea, Cistus creticus, Juniperus phoeniceae, Nerium oleander, Populus negra, Schismus barbatus, Veronica polita, Anarrhinum fruticosum, Centaurea melitensis, Cistus albidus, Dianthus nudiflorus, Dittrichia viscosa | |
Bloc 4 | F12 | T52, T54, T160, T53, T50, T194, T196, T161 | Euphorbia niceensis, Fraxinus angustifolia, Polycarpon tetraphyllum, Bellis annua, Eryngium campestre, Lactuca tenerrima, poclama brevifolia, Quercus, Astragalus incanus, Bromus madritensis, Crambe filiformis, Euphorbia terracina, Globularia nainii, Marrubium ayardii |
F13 | T175, T162, T195, T190 | Teucrium chamaedrys, alyssum spinosum, Polycarpon tetraphyllum, Arenaria pungens, asperula hirsuta, Bupleurum spinosus, Cerastium arvense, Helianthemum cenereum, Jurinea humilis, Minuartia funkii, Thymelaea virgata, Thymus zygis | |
F14 | T193, T58, T38, T197, T37, T59 | Quercus ilex, Astragalus granatensis, Campanula filicaulis, Ononis spinosa, Polycarpon tetraphyllum, Scutellaria orientalis, Teucrium chamaedrys, Aegilops geniculate, asperula hirsuta, Bromus madritensis, Cirsium acaule, Convolvulus lineatus, Coronilla minima, Crataegus lacinata | |
Bloc 5 | F15 | T187, T173, T164, T178 |
Cytisus balansae, Euphorbia niceensis, alyssum spinosum, Hirschfeldia incana, Anthyllis vulneraria Arthemisia herba alba Buxus balearica, Cirsium dyris, Coronilla minima, Delphinium gracile, Helianthemum apenninum, Juniperus thurifera, Jurinea humilis, Ormenis scariosa, Quercus ilex, Scorzonera caespitosa |
F16 | T163, T167, T185, T165 |
Arthemisia herba alba, Ormenis scariosa, Euphorbia niceensis, Sanguisorba minor, alyssum spinosum, Asperula cynanchica, Avena barbata, Bupleurum spinosum, Coronilla minima, Erinacea Anthyllis, Helianthemum cinereum, Hieracium pseudopilosella, Vella maierii |
|
F17 | T172, T188, T181, T189 |
Euphorbia niceensis Ribes uva-crispa, Coronilla minima, Erinacea Anthyllis, Alyssum serpyllifolium, Buxus balearica ; Cytisus balansae, Juniperus thurifera, Raffenaldia platycarpa, Scorzonera angustifolia, Scorzonera caespitosa, Thymelaea virgata, |
|
Bloc 6 | F18 | T179, T171, T184 |
Alyssum spinosum, Scorzonera caespitosa, Thymus pallidus, Arenaria pungens, Carduncellus atractyloides, Centaurea takredensis, Convolvulus sabatius, Delphinium gracile, Erinacea Anthyllis, Euphorbia niceensis, Euphorbia sagitalis, Juniperus thurifera |
F19 | T186, T191, T180, T177, T155, T152, T174 | Alyssum spinosum, Bupleurum spinosum, Carduncellus atractyloides, Centaurea takredensis, Cytisus balansae, Erinacea Anthyllis, Euphorbia niceensis, Vella maierii, Ribes uva-crispa, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Arenaria pungens, Berberis vulgaris, Bupleurum atlanticum, Cirsium dyris, Delphinium gracile, Juniperus thurifera, Minuartia funkii, Ormenis scariosa, Prunus prostrata, Rahmnus liscoides, Thymus pallidus | |
F20 | T183, T153, T168 |
Euphorbia niceensis, Alyssum spinosum Erinacea Anthyllis, Juniperus thurifera L. Scorzonera caespitosa, Vella mairii, Arthemisia herba alba, Bupleurum, atlanticum, Bupleurum spinosum, Convolvulus lineatus, Ormenis scariosa, |
|
F21 | T176, T154, T182, T170, T157, T192, T156 | Arenaria pungens, Valla mairii, alyssum spinosum, Erinacea Anthyllis, Bupleurum spinosum, Clinopodium alpinum, Cytisus balansae, Euphorbia niceensis, Euphorbia megatlantica, Scorzonera caespitosa, Berberis vulgaris, Coronilla minima, Ormenis scariosa, Papaver atlanticum, Ruta montana, Stipa nitans |
Symbol | Dominant Species | Companion Species | Altitude | Bioclimatic Stage | Vegetation Zone | Tmin & Tmax | Precipitation | Substrate type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F1 | Quercus ilex, Anchusa azurea, Astragalus incanus | Bromus madritensis, Campanula filicaulis, Catananche caerulea | 544–1000 | Semi-arid fresh | Supra-Mediterranean | -4°C, 30°C | 300–600 mm | Limstones |
F2 | Galium tricornicum, Quercus ilex, Anchusa azurea | Bromus madritensis, Medicago minima, Silene vulgaris | 800–1500 | Semi-arid fresh | Meso-Mediterranean and Supra-Mediterranean | -2°C, 28°C | 350–650 mm | Limstones |
F3 | Quercus ilex, Hordeum murinum, Asphodelus macrocarpus | Galium tricornicum, Romulea bulbocodium, Anchusa azurea | 1000–1900 | Subhumid fresh | Supra-Mediterranean | -5°C, 32°C | 400–700 mm | Limstones |
F4 | Quercus ilex, Clematis cirrhosa, Echinops spinosissimus | Artemisia herba-alba, Juniperus phoenicea | 1200–2100 | Subhumid fresh | Meso-Mediterranean and Supra-Mediterranean | -3°C, 29°C | 250–500 mm | Limstones |
F5 | Juniperus phoenicea, Anchusa azurea, Quercus ilex | Silene vulgaris, Avena fatua, Dactylis glomerata | 1600–2000 | Semi-arid fresh | Supra-Mediterranean and Montane Mediterranean | -6°C, 30°C | 400–650 mm | Limstones |
F6 | Juniperus phoenicea, Stipellula capensis, Chamaerops humilis | Atractylis cancellata, Euphorbia resinifera | 1500–2200 | Subhumid fresh | Montane Mediterranean | -8°C, 25°C | 350–600 mm | Clays and sandstone |
F7 | Juniperus phoenicea, Pinus halepensis, Buxus balearica | Thymus algeriensis, Lactuca tenerrima, Genista scorpius | 1800–2400 | Semi-arid cold | Montane Mediterranean | -7°C, 22°C | 400–700 mm | Clays and limestone conglomerates |
F8 | Pinus halepensis, Globularia nainii, Buxus balearica | Centaurea melitensis, Cistus creticus, Euphorbia niceensis | 1900–2500 | Semi-arid cold | Montane Mediterranean | -10°C, 15°C | 200–400 mm | Clays and limesrones |
F9 | Thymus zygis, Anarrhinum fruticosum, Globularia nainii | Arbutus unedo, Astragalus incanus, Ononis pusilla | 1700–2800 | Semi-arid very cold | Montane Mediterranean | -8°C, 20°C | 250–500 mm | Limestones and rocky limestones |
F10 | Juniperus phoenicea, Xanthium spinosus, Ajuga iva | Capparis spinosa, Crambe filiformis, Nerium oleander | 1500–2200 | Subhumid fresh | Supra-Mediterranean | -5°C, 28°C | 300–600 mm | Clays and sandstones |
F11 | Globularia nainii, Hirschfeldia incana, Lythrum junceum | Pinus halepensis, Polygala balansae, Teucrium polium | 1700–3000 | Semi-arid very cold | Montane Mediterranean | -9°C, 18°C | 300–500 mm | Clays |
F12 | Euphorbia niceensis, Fraxinus angustifolia, Polycarpon tetraphyllum | Bellis annua, Lactuca tenerrima, Quercus ilex | 1400–2400 | Semi-arid cold | Supra-Mediterranean | -4°C, 28°C | 350–600 mm | Limestones |
F13 | Teucrium chamaedrys, Alyssum spinosum, Polycarpon tetraphyllum | Arenaria pungens, Bupleurum spinosus, Cerastium arvense | 1700–3000 | Semi-arid very cold | Montane Mediterranean | -8°C, 20°C | 300–500 mm | Limestones, marls and dolomites |
F14 | Quercus ilex, Astragalus granatensis, Campanula filicaulis | Ononis spinosa, Polycarpon tetraphyllum, Teucrium chamaedrys | 1800–3100 | Semi-arid very cold | Montane Mediterranean | -9°C, 18°C | 300–600 mm | Limestones |
F15 | Cytisus balansae, Euphorbia niceensis, Alyssum spinosum | Hirschfeldia incana, Cirsium dyris, Coronilla minima | 1800–3200 | Semi-arid very cold | Meso-Mediterranean | -4°C, 26°C | 350–600 mm | Limestones |
F16 | Artemisia herba-alba, Ormenis scariosa, Euphorbia niceensis | Sanguisorba minor, Alyssum spinosum, Bupleurum spinosus | 2000–3500 | Semi-arid extremely cold | Montane Mediterranean | -7°C, 25°C | 400–650 mm | Limestones |
F17 | Euphorbia niceensis, Ribes uva-crispa, Coronilla minima | Erinacea anthyllis, Alyssum serpyllifolium, Juniperus thurifera | 1800–3500 | Semi-arid extremely cold | Montane Mediterranean | -10°C, 18°C | 300–600 mm | Limestones |
F18 | Alyssum spinosum, Scorzonera caespitosa, Thymus pallidus | Arenaria pungens, Carduncellus atractyloides, Euphorbia niceensis | 2000–3708 | Semi-arid extremely cold | Montane Mediterranean | -12°C, 15°C | 200–400 mm | Limestones |
F19 | Alyssum spinosum, Bupleurum spinosum, Carduncellus atractyloides | Cytisus balansae, Erinacea anthyllis, Euphorbia niceensis | 2000–3708 | Semi-arid extremely cold | Montane Mediterranean | -10°C, 17°C | 250–500 mm | Limestones |
F20 | Euphorbia niceensis, Alyssum spinosum, Erinacea anthyllis | Juniperus thurifera, Vella mairii, Ormenis scariosa | 2000–3708 | Semi-arid extremely cold | Montane Mediterranean | -9°C, 16°C | 200–400 mm | Limestones |
F21 | Arenaria pungens, Vella mairii, Alyssum spinosum | Erinacea anthyllis, Bupleurum spinosum, Cytisus balansae | 2000–3708 | Semi-arid extremely cold | Montane Mediterranean | -11°C, 14°C | 200–400 mm | Limestones |
Period | Tmin (min-max) en °C | Tmax (min-max) en °C | Precipitations (min-max) en mm | Q2 (min-max) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1960-1969 | -9,97 - 2,18 | 20,9- 30,83 | 369,67 - 658,68 | 42,63 - 77,62 |
1970-1979 | -9,37 - 3,12 | 23,5 - 34,42 | 350,32 - 605,81 | 37,92 - 66,91 |
1980-1989 | -10 - 2,34 | 23,5 - 34,63 | 295,56 - 506,28 | 31 - 54,39 |
1990-1999 | -9,74 - 2,89 | 23,87 - 35,17 | 307,88 - 541,58 | 32,34 - 58,25 |
2000-2009 | -8,86 - 2,39 | 24,42 - 35,65 | 309,58 - 533,49 | 32 - 57,67 |
2010-2019 | -9,39 - 3 | 24,60 -36,12 | 329,25 - 571,19 | 33,96 - 60,76 |
Habitat | Altitude (m) | Tmin (°C) | Tmax (°C) | Precipitation (mm) | Bioclimate | Climatic Variation | Vegetation Zone |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quercus ilex | Up to 2800 | 5.61–6.26 | 18.69–19.33 | 299.01–548.25 | Semi-arid and subhumid | All variants | Supra-, Meso-, Thermo-, and Montane Mediterranean |
Juniperus phoenicea | Up to 2000 | 6.92–7.88 | 19.95–20.56 | 313.2–571.99 | Semi-arid and subhumid | Except very cold and cold | Meso- and Thermo-Mediterranean |
Pinus halepensis | Up to 2200 | 6.29–7.36 | 19.13–19.72 | 278.23–501.08 | Subhumid and semi-arid | Cool and cold | Supra- and Meso-Mediterranean |
Xerophytes | Up to 3700 | 2.24–3.26 | 15.14–15.79 | 291.93–532.19 | Subhumid and semi-arid | Cold and very cold | Montane and Oro-Mediterranean |
Chamaerops humilis | Up to 2000 | 6.62–7.69 | 20.98–21.43 | 302.59–545.73 | Subhumid and semi-arid | Cold | Supra-Mediterranean |
Juniperus thurifera | Up to 2700 | 3.41–4.42 | 16.26–16.98 | 288.48–499.47 | Subhumid and semi-arid | Cold and very cold | Montane Mediterranean |
Euphorbia resinifera | Up to 1800 | 8.05–9.06 | 21.69–22.13 | 305.13–552.85 | Semi-arid and subhumid | Moderate and cold | Meso-Mediterranean |
Buxus sempervirens | Up to 3000 | 1.99–2.93 | 14.9–15.51 | 281.61–478.13 | Subhumid and semi-arid | Cold and very cold | Montane Mediterranean |
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