Silvopastoral System in Morocco: Focus on Their Importance, Strategic Functions, and Recent Changes in the Mediterranean Side

Abstract

In the Mediterranean basin, the silvopastoral system has always been part of the regional economy. Silvopastoral areas contribute significantly to the development of the ecological and socio-economic factors of territorial sustainability. However, little attention has been paid to reviewing the importance, historical evolution, socio-economic conditions, and climate change impact of the southern Mediterranean region of northern Morocco. This review casts light on research on the silvopastoral systems in Morocco with a focus on the Mediterranean side. Sixty-nine peer-reviewed publications were selected for this systematic review. The findings revealed that silvopastoral areas play a very important role in animal feeding in Morocco. Animals are managed traditionally on these woodlands where they graze throughout the year. The silvopastoral system has undergone several changes over recent decades. These changes have had a direct impact on ecosystems, causing a decline in biodiversity, forest degradation, and an increase in land use at the expense of silvopastoral areas, mainly in the Mediterranean region of northern Morocco. Consequently, the sustainability of the silvopastoral systems would undoubtedly be negatively affected. The review finishes with some crucial strategies and propositions that could be encouraged to support sustainable management actions of silvopastoral resources. In the conclusion, we outline the need to assess the realistic socio-economic and ecological benefits of silvopastoral systems to promote their sustainable development.

Using GPS Collars and Sensors to Investigate the Grazing Behavior and Energy Balance of Goats Browsing in a Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

“…Tree vegetation includes Quercus spp. (inclusive of Q. coccifera, Q. ilex , and Q. suber ) associated with shrublands dominated by Arbutus unedo , Cistus spp., and Erica arborea [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Forage Availability and Quality, and Feeding Behaviour of Indigenous Goats Grazing in a Mediterranean Silvopastoral System

“…They provide 80% of diet requirements of grazing animals in mountainous areas (High Atlas and Northern Morocco). Four million heads of goats (i.e., approximately 70% of the national herd) graze on forest pasturelands [1]. The silvopastoral system contributes between 68% and 100% of the incomes of farmers, playing an essential socio-economic role [2].…”

Grazing with trees

“…Mediterranean governance mechanisms such as hima and agdal provide key lessons around developing sound silvopastoral management tools, such as transhumance, multifunctionality, multispecies, rotation, specific silvicultural strategies, and so on, (Dominguez et al, 2012;Chebli et al, 2021;El Aayadi, Araba and Jouven, 2021). Several authors have vindicated their use and enhancement (Naghizadeh et al, 2021;Herrera, Davies and Manzano, 2013).…”