Floristic analysis of Marmoucha's plant diversity (Middle Atlas, Morocco)

Abstract

Nassif, F. & Tanji, A. Floristic analysis of Marmoucha's plant diversity (Middle Atlas, Morocco). Lazaroa 34: 117-140 (2013). As part of an ethnobotanical exploration among the Berbers of Marmoucha in the Middle Atlas in Morocco, a floristic analysis was conducted to inventory the existing plants and assess the extent of plant diversity in this area. Located in the eastern part of the Middle Atlas, the Marmoucha is characterized by the presence of various ecosystems ranging from oak and juniper forests to high altitude steppes typical from cold areas with thorny plants. The fieldwork was conducted over five years (2008-2012) using surveys and informal techniques. The results show that the number of species recorded in Marmoucha is 508 distributed over 83 families and 325 genera, representing 13%, 54% and 33% of species, families and genera at the national level, respectively. With 92 species, the Asteraceae is the richest family, representing 18% of the total reported followed by Poaceae and the Fabaceae. From a comparative perspective, the ranking of the eight richer families of the local flora in relation to their position in the national flora reveals a significant match between the positions at local and national levels with slight ranking differences except in the case of Rosaceae. In the study area, the number of endemics is significant. It amounts to 43 species and subspecies belonging to 14 families with the Asteraceae counting 10 endemics. The numbers of Moroccan-Algerian and strictly Moroccan endemics compared to other categories of endemics are rather significant. The study area host to 37 species and subspecies distributed in 16 families that could be considered rare or endangered, being Asteraceae the richest with 9. We considered Marmoucha an area with a high diversity with an important contigent of endemic, rare, and endangered species. Available information on these species is scarce. Therefore, it is imperative to pay further attention to them for conservation purposes, in order to elaborate the red list in Morocco. © 2013. Universidad Complutense de Madrid.