Mapping Ecosystem Services of Forest Stands: Case Study of Maamora, Morocco

Abstract

The concept of ecosystem services (ES) is increasingly used to analyze the relationships and interactions between humans and nature. Understanding the ecosystem services’ flow and the ecosystems’ capacity to generate these services is an essential element in considering the sustainability of ecosystem uses and the development of ecosystem accounts. For such purpose, we conduct spatially explicit analyses of nine ecosystem services in the Maamora forest, Morocco. The ecosystem services included are timber and industry wood harvest, firewood harvest, cork gathering, forage production, acorn gathering, forest carbon storage, and recreational hiking. Results make it possible to distinguish between the forest capacity to provide ecosystem services from their current use (demand) and assess them quantitatively. It came out that both capacity and flow differ in spatial extent as well as in quantity. Distinguishing capacity and flow of ES also provided an estimate of over-or under-utilization of services, and offer the possibility to map the ecosystem service provision hotspots (SPA) and degraded SPHs. The respective assessment of capacity and flux in a space-explicit manner can therefore support the monitoring of the forest ecosystem use sustainability.

Impact of climate change on potential distribution of Quercus suber in the conditions of North Africa

“…However, despite favourable bioclimatic conditions, this species has not colonized all potential areas and is still absent in some parts, mainly from the eastern parts of the current distribution areas. This absence can be probably due to: excessive pressure and silvicultural choices made in the past for the establishment of exotic forest species (Pinus and Eucalyptus) in order to meet the needs of industry (pulpwood production) and needs of local populations in terms of firewood (Benabou et al, 2022); and difficulties of regeneration of this species (Lahssini et al, 2015). Those difficulties will be greater in the context of the future climate.…”

“…The species grows in warm-humid areas, from the sea-level to 2,000 m above sea level and prefer siliceous-or carbonate-free soils and can colonize extremely acid soils. The cork oak forests sustain a great variety of floral and faunal diversity and are of the highest social, economic, cultural and ecological value (Orgeas et al, 2003;Benabou et al, 2022).…”

“…Special research was conducted in the Maamora Forest, which represents the largest lowland cork forest in the world (Natividade, 1956;Benabid, 2000;Aafi et al, 2005). It covers an area of 132,000 hectares, including 60,000 hectares of pure cork oak populations and approximately 10,000 ha mixed with other species (Benabou et al, 2022). The study area is dominated by the Mediterranean climate with dry season generally beginning in late April or early May and extending through October (Aafi et al, 2005).…”

“…It shows that almost 46-53% of the study area is composed of natural stands of cork oak (Q. suber). The rest of the territory is occupied by some restricted urban areas and other stands based on exotic species belonging to the genus: Eucalyptus, Acacia and Pinus (Aafi et al, 2005;Benabou et al, 2022). The Maamora Forest represents valuable natural capital and constitutes a space of primary importance for the local population including urban citizens (Boudy, 1950;Benabou et al, 2022).…”

“…The rest of the territory is occupied by some restricted urban areas and other stands based on exotic species belonging to the genus: Eucalyptus, Acacia and Pinus (Aafi et al, 2005;Benabou et al, 2022). The Maamora Forest represents valuable natural capital and constitutes a space of primary importance for the local population including urban citizens (Boudy, 1950;Benabou et al, 2022). In the recent decades, the Maamora Forest has faced severe anthropogenic pressures (overgrazing, excessive clearance of woodlands, overexploitation, fires and improper tapping) (Bugalho et al, 2011) provoking a large dedensification, as well as the reduction in its area (decreased by 45% compared with the beginning of the last century (Emberger, 1939)) which negatively affects the ecosystem's functions and services.…”