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

Youssef Chebli, Samira El Otmani, Fouad Elame, Nassim Moula, Mouad Chentouf, Jean-Luc Hornick and Jean-François Cabaraux
Additional contact information
Youssef Chebli: Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
Samira El Otmani: Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
Fouad Elame: Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
Nassim Moula: Department of Veterinary Management of Animal Resources, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Avenue de Cureghem 6, B43, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Mouad Chentouf: Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
Jean-Luc Hornick: Department of Veterinary Management of Animal Resources, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Avenue de Cureghem 6, B43, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Jean-François Cabaraux: Department of Veterinary Management of Animal Resources, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Avenue de Cureghem 6, B43, 4000 Liège, Belgium

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-17

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.

Keywords: silvopastoral; Mediterranean region; sustainability; northern Morocco; grazing; forest (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:10744-:d:644546

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