Ecological insights and conservation imperatives for Laurus azorica in Morocco
Keywords:
autoecology; plant communities; aromatic and medicinal plants; ecological requirements; value chain.
Abstract
The Azores laurel Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco is a highly esteemed forest species in Morocco due to its medicinal and aromatic properties. However, the natural habitats of this species are increasingly scarce, resulting in its classification as a rare species. This study comprehensively investigates the autoecology, plant communities, and distribution patterns of L. azorica, aiming to discern the crucial ecological factors underpinning its survival and shed light on its conservation status. Field surveys, including floristic relevés and environmental characterization, were conducted to identify the primary plant communities hosting remnants of L. azorica. Fieldwork and ecological analysis reveal five distinct plant communities associated with L. azorica: low elevation thermophilic holm oak woodland, mesophilic mid-altitude holm oak woodland, Quercus faginea, deciduous broadleaf mountain and Cytisus balansae plant communities. The study emphasizes the importance of ecological requirements such as oceanic exposure, rainfall, temperature, and forest mull soils in creating suitable habitats for L. azorica populations. Currently, L. azorica populations in Morocco are represented by small trees, shrubs, or bushes, often exhibiting distorted and damaged structures due to unregulated pruning. Natural regeneration of the species is completely absent. The value chain associated with L. azorica is limited, involving informal harvesters, intermediary herbalist grocers, and final consumers, due to the lack of a legal framework for resource evaluation caused by its severe depletion. To secure the survival of L. azorica in Morocco, it is crucial to address gaps in legislation, intensify conservation efforts, and promote sustainable development practices. Protecting and restoring the natural habitats of the species, along with implementing responsible harvesting practices, are essential steps towards conserving this valuable forest species.References
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Médail, F., & Quézel, P. (1999). The phytogeographical significance of S.W. Morocco compared to the Canary Islands. Plant Ecology, 140, 221–244.
Morales, D., Flexas, J., Medrano, H., & Pou, A. (2001). Diurnal courses of gas exchange in Laurus azorica: Ecological implications for the regeneration of laurel forest. Tree Physiology, 21(14), 1039–1046.
Morales, D., Jiménez, M. S., González-Rodríguez, A. M., & Cermák, J. (1996). Laurel forests in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Trees, 11(1), 34–40.
Ouchbani, S., & Romane, F. (1995). Gradients climatiques et répartition de la végétation dans la région de l'Atlas de Beni Mellal (Maroc) [Climatic gradients and vegetation distribution in the Beni Mellal Atlas (Morocco)]. Bulletin de l’Institut Scientifique, Rabat, 19, 53–64 (in French).
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Rodríguez-Sánchez, F., Guzmán, B., Valido, A., Vargas, P., & Arroyo, J. (2009). Late Neogene history of the laurel tree (Laurus L., Lauraceae) based on phylogeographical analyses of Mediterranean and Macaronesian populations. Journal of Biogeography, 36(7), 1270–1281.
Roiron, P. (1983). Nouvelle étude de la macroflore plio-pleistocene de Crespia [A new study of the Plio-Pleistocene macroflora of Crespia]. Geobios, 6(16), 687–715 (in French).
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Viveiros, M. M., Barreto, M. C., & Seca, A. M. L. (2022). Laurus azorica: Valorization through its phytochemical study and biological activities. Separations, 9(8), 211.
Zrira, S., (2017). Some important aromatic and medicinal plants of Morocco. In: Neffati, M., Najjaa, H., & Máthé, A. (Eds.). Medicinal and aromatic plants of the world – Africa. Volume 3. Springer. Pp. 91–125.
Barbero, M., Benabid, A., Peyre, C., & Quézel, P. (1981). Sur la présence au Maroc de “Laurus azorica” (Seub.) Franco [On the presence of “Laurus azorica” (Seub.) Franco in Morocco]. Anales Del Jardín Botánico de Madrid, 37(2), 467–472 (in French).
Barbero, M., Quezel, P., & Rivas-Martinez, S. (1981). Contribution à l’étude des groupements forestiers et préforestiers du Maroc [Contribution to the study of forest and pre-forest groups in Morocco]. Phytocoenologia, 9(13), 311–412 (in French).
Benabid, A. (1988). Contribution à l’étude des groupements forestiers du Moyen Atlas Central (Maroc) [Contribution to the study of forest groups in the Central Middle Atlas (Morocco)]. Bulletin de l’Institut Scientifique, Rabat, 12(12), 79–98 (in French).
Benabid, A. (2000). Flore et écosystèmes du Maroc: Évaluation et préservation de la biodiversité [Flora and ecosystems of Morocco: Evaluation and preservation of biodiversity]. Ibis Press, Paris (in French).
Benabid, A., & Cuzin, F. (1997). Populations de dragonnier (Dracaena draco L. subsp. ajgal Benabid et Cuzin) au Maroc: Valeurs taxinomique, biogéographique et phytosociologique [Dragon tree (Dracaena draco L. subsp. ajgal Benabid and Cuzin) populations in Morocco: Taxonomical, biogeographical and phytosociological values]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences – Series III, 320(3), 267–277 (in French).
Bramwell, D., & Bramwell, Z. (1983). Flores silvestres de las Islas Canarias [Wildflowers of the Canary Islands]. Editorial Rueda, Madrid (in Spanish).
Ceballos Fernández de Córdoba, L., & Ortuño Medina, F. (1951). Estudio sobre la vegetación y la flora forestal de las Canarias occidentales [Study on the vegetation and forest flora of the western Canary Islands]. Instituto Forestal de Investigaciones y Experiencias, Madrid (in Spanish).
Dengler, J., Chytrỳ, M., & Ewald, J. (2008). Phytosociology. In: Encyclopedia of ecology. Five-Volume Set. Academic Press. Pp. 2767–2779.
Dias, E., Mendes, C., Melo, C., Pereira, D., & Elias, R. (2005). Azores Central Islands vegetation and flora field guide. Quercetea Portugal, 7, 123–173.
Elias, R. B., & Dias, E. (2009). Gap dynamics and regeneration strategies in Juniperus-Laurus forests of the Azores Islands. Plant Ecology, 200(2), 179–189.
Elias, R. B., Gil, A., Silva, L., Fernández-Palacios, J. M., Azevedo, E. B., & Reis, F. (2016). Natural zonal vegetation of the Azores Islands: Characterization and potential distribution. Phytocoenologia, 46(2), 107–123.
Emberger, L. (1955). Une classification biogéographique des climats [A biogeographical classification of climates]. Recueil des travaux des laboratoires de Botanique, Géologie et Zoologie de la Faculté des Sciences de Montpellier (Série Botanique), Fascicule 7, 3–43 (in French).
Fennane, M. (1988). Phytosociologie des tétraclinaies marocaines [Phytosociology of Moroccan tetraclinis communities]. Bulletin de l'Institut Scientifique, Rabat, 12, 99–148.
Fennane, M., & Ibn Tattou, M. (1998). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires rares, menacées ou endémiques du Maroc [Catalogue of rare, threatened, or endemic vascular plants of Morocco]. Bocconea, 8, 5–243 (in French).
Fick, S. E., & Hijmans, R. J. (2017). WorldClim 2: New 1‐km spatial resolution climate surfaces for global land areas. International Journal of Climatology, 37(12), 4302–4315.
Jahandiez, É., & Maire, R. (1932). Catalogue des plantes du Maroc (spermatophytes et ptéridophytes) [Catalogue of the plants of Morocco (spermatophytes and pteridophytes)]. Tome 2e: Dicotylèdones, Archichlamydées [Volume 2: Dicotyledons, Archichlamydeae]. Imprimerie Minerva, Alger (in French).
Jalas, J., & Suominen, J. (Eds.). (1991). Atlas Florae Europaeae. Distribution of Vascular Plants in Europe. Vol. 9. The Committee for Mapping the Flora of Europe & Societas Biologica Fennica Vanamo, Helsinki.
Jiménez, M. S., Cermák, J., Kucera, J., & Morales, D. (1996). Laurel forests in Tenerife, Canary Islands: The annual course of sap flow in Laurus trees and stand. Journal of Hydrology, 183(3–4), 307–321.
Médail, F., & Quézel, P. (1999). The phytogeographical significance of S.W. Morocco compared to the Canary Islands. Plant Ecology, 140, 221–244.
Morales, D., Flexas, J., Medrano, H., & Pou, A. (2001). Diurnal courses of gas exchange in Laurus azorica: Ecological implications for the regeneration of laurel forest. Tree Physiology, 21(14), 1039–1046.
Morales, D., Jiménez, M. S., González-Rodríguez, A. M., & Cermák, J. (1996). Laurel forests in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Trees, 11(1), 34–40.
Ouchbani, S., & Romane, F. (1995). Gradients climatiques et répartition de la végétation dans la région de l'Atlas de Beni Mellal (Maroc) [Climatic gradients and vegetation distribution in the Beni Mellal Atlas (Morocco)]. Bulletin de l’Institut Scientifique, Rabat, 19, 53–64 (in French).
Rivas-Martinez, S. (1987). Memoria del Mapa de Series de Vegetación – de España 1:400.000 [Memoir of the Map of Vegetation Series – of Spain 1:400.000]. Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Madrid.
Rodríguez-Sánchez, F. (2011). Un análisis integrado de la respuesta de las especies al cambio climático: Biogeografía y ecología de árboles relictos en el Mediterráneo [An integrated analysis of species response to climate change: Biogeography and ecology of relict trees in the Mediterranean]. Ecosistemas, 20(1), 177–184 (in Spanish).
Rodríguez-Sánchez, F., & Arroyo, J. (2008). Reconstructing the demise of Tethyan plants: Climate-driven range dynamics of Laurus since the Pliocene. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 17(6), 685–695.
Rodríguez-Sánchez, F., Guzmán, B., Valido, A., Vargas, P., & Arroyo, J. (2009). Late Neogene history of the laurel tree (Laurus L., Lauraceae) based on phylogeographical analyses of Mediterranean and Macaronesian populations. Journal of Biogeography, 36(7), 1270–1281.
Roiron, P. (1983). Nouvelle étude de la macroflore plio-pleistocene de Crespia [A new study of the Plio-Pleistocene macroflora of Crespia]. Geobios, 6(16), 687–715 (in French).
Santos Guerra, A. (1983). Vegetacion y flora de La Palma [Vegetation and flora of La Palma]. Editorial Interinsular Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (in Spanish).
Silva, L., & Beech, E. (2017). Laurus azorica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e. T38397A81868030. IUCN Global Species Programme Red List Unit, Cambridge.
Taleb, M. S., & Fennane, M. (2018). Vascular plant communities of Morocco: Phytosociology, ecology and geography. Springer.
Viveiros, M. M., Barreto, M. C., & Seca, A. M. L. (2022). Laurus azorica: Valorization through its phytochemical study and biological activities. Separations, 9(8), 211.
Zrira, S., (2017). Some important aromatic and medicinal plants of Morocco. In: Neffati, M., Najjaa, H., & Máthé, A. (Eds.). Medicinal and aromatic plants of the world – Africa. Volume 3. Springer. Pp. 91–125.
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2023-06-01
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