Floristic Composition, Diversity, Palatability, and Forage Availability of Forest Rangelands in the Southern Mediterranean Region of Northern Morocco

Youssef Chebli (), Mouad Chentouf, Jean-François Cabaraux and Samira El Otmani
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Youssef Chebli: Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
Mouad Chentouf: Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
Jean-François Cabaraux: Department of Veterinary Management of Animal Resources, University of Liège, Avenue de Cureghem 6, B43, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Samira El Otmani: Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Forest rangelands are an important component of extensive goat production in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to survey the floristic composition, lifespan, life forms, phytogeographic relationships, palatability degree, and forage availability of forest rangelands in Northern Morocco. To achieve this goal, a plant species inventory was carried out, and a digital herbarium was constructed. Forage availability was estimated using the quadrat method. According to the results, 358 taxa were recorded with 228 genera and 66 families. The flora is mainly dominated by Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, and Lamiaceae families. Six principal life forms of plants were recognized with the predominance of therophytes (48.3%). The Mediterranean floristic category was the most dominant in the flora (73.7%) with 264 species. The palatability degree was studied for 95 taxa, known by herders. The palatable plant group was highly represented with 32 species. Of these identified taxa, 93% were evaluated as potential sources of forage for grazing animals. The forage availability depended considerably on the season and the existing plant species ( p < 0.01). The spring recorded the higher value with 3143 kg DM/ha. In conclusion, forest rangelands have a high biodiversity, which they need for rigorous protection to preserve their floristic composition and diversity.

Keywords: botanical composition; biomass; flora diversity; silvopastoral area; grazing goat; Southern Mediterranean (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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