Photosynthetic Behavior of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Induced under Grazed and Ungrazed Conditions

Aicha Nait Douch, Laila Boukhalef, Abdelhafed El Asbahani, Ali A. Al-Namazi, Khadija El Mehrach, Laila Bouqbis, Mourad Touaf and Fatima Ain-Lhout ()
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Aicha Nait Douch: Equipe d’Ecologie et Sciences de l’Environnement, Faculté des Sciences Appliquées, Université Ibn Zohr, Azrou 86153, Morocco
Laila Boukhalef: Equipe d’Ecologie et Sciences de l’Environnement, Faculté des Sciences Appliquées, Université Ibn Zohr, Azrou 86153, Morocco
Abdelhafed El Asbahani: Laboratoire de Chimie Appliquée et Environnement, Faculté des Sciences, Université Ibn Zohr, Agadir 80000, Morocco
Ali A. Al-Namazi: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), P.O. Box 6086, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
Khadija El Mehrach: Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Végétales, Faculté des Sciences, Université Ibn Zohr, Agadir 80000, Morocco
Laila Bouqbis: Equipe d’Ecologie et Sciences de l’Environnement, Faculté des Sciences Appliquées, Université Ibn Zohr, Azrou 86153, Morocco
Mourad Touaf: Equipe d’Ecologie et Sciences de l’Environnement, Faculté des Sciences Appliquées, Université Ibn Zohr, Azrou 86153, Morocco
Fatima Ain-Lhout: Equipe d’Ecologie et Sciences de l’Environnement, Faculté des Sciences Appliquées, Université Ibn Zohr, Azrou 86153, Morocco

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-12

Abstract: The endemic Moroccan species Argania spinosa is considered the most grazed tree species in its distribution area. Since grazing exerts an important effect on plant performances, we attempted to explore the impact of grazing on A. spinosa . Thus, we performed a comparative field experiment where seasonal variations of gas exchange, photochemical efficiency, relative water content, photosynthetic pigment content, and stomatal features were assessed in grazed and ungrazed trees. The net photosynthetic rate was increased in grazed trees in spring and autumn, the favorable seasons. Enhancement of photosynthetic performance may be due to the high stomatal conductance registered in grazed trees. This mechanism may compensate for the lost leaf area, in order to recover from grazing stress. In addition, grazed trees exhibit a better photochemical efficiency, use water more economically and show lower oxidative stress. However, results obtained in summer show that the compensation mechanism could be limited by summer drought. Since the key to preserving the future of forests is sustainable forest management, our results suggest that proper grazing management can be a control tool to increase plant performance and improve species resilience.

Keywords: net photosynthesis; stomatal conductance; water use efficiency; photochemical efficiency; chlorophyll content (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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