DREF = Regional Offices of the Administration des Eaux et Forêts et de la Conservation des Sols
SIBE = Site of Biological and Ecological Interest
Protected Area Range
Size
(ha)
Popu-lation
Biological Importance/GEF Justification
Current Status
Main Threats
Proposed Actions
DREF - HIGH ATLAS
TOUBKAL NATIONAL PARK
38,000
32,000 (outside park)
Rainfall, isolation and altitude contribute to wide range of ecosystems, including at least 145 endemic species (24 strictly endemic), several species of fauna of global importance
National Park
IUCN Reserve: II
Livestock grazing (even in the integral reserve during droughts)
Wood collection
Erosion is a growing problem, though poaching is under control
Feral dogs found in integral reserve
Speed restoration of ecosystems and animal populations through increased public awareness and participatory approach of park users, development of ecotourism efforts and direct conservation
Tamga (SIBE)
8,500
Many douars in and around the site
Pine tree forest Pinus halepensis associated with juniper tree Juniperus phoenicea
One of the last sites where Leopard Panthera pardus panthera was seen in Morocco
Rare or endemic mammal species, and 31 bird species
Very high degree of endemism
Government forestry land with land use rights; no legal status at present
Overutilized oak forest
Overgrazing (more than 3,000 shepherds) use the site
Sustainable management of resources and development of alternative livelihoods
EASTERN High Atlas National Park
52,500
18,500
Very large variety of ecosystems and large span of endemic species
Associated sub-ecosystems host more than 50 rare and endemic species, some endemic to the park
May be one of few remaining sanctuaries for highly endangered leopard Panthera pardus, last seen in 1993
National Park
IUCN Reserve: II
Delimitated and undelimitated Government forestry land with land use rights; decree to create park in preparation
Current human practices threaten forests, including branch and treetop cuttings for livestock and firewood
Traditional pasture rotation may be unsustainable due to flock and human population growth
Strychnine use to control jackals and hyenas has caused disappearance of larger birds of prey
Institutional support needed to establish park, management procedures (esp. sustainable management and resource use by local populations)
Disappearance of birds of prey must be tackled at the national level
Conservation and restoration efforts, including strengthening of public awareness and participatory measures
Protected Area Range
Size
(ha)
Popu-lation
Biological Importance/GEF Justification
Current Status
Main Threats
Proposed Actions
personalJbel Bou Naceur (SIBE)
14,000
3,000 shepherds by right
High altitude grasslands and spiny xerophytes with high vegetative endemism: 60 species, 19 subspecies and 13 varieties of plants endemic to Morocco
9 of 25 mammal, 23 of 69 bird and 8 of 20 amphibian species, of global interest, including caracal Felis caracal algira, mountain gazelle Gazella cuvieri, and shrew Crocidura russula and several birds of prey
Government forestry land, both delimitated and non-delimitated
No legal status at moment, although southern portion belongs to Royal Reserve of Outat el Hadj
Overutilization of natural resources
Overgrazing in higher zones
Forest clearing for wood production and absence of forest regeneration
Ecosystem as a whole is seriously disturbed and requires immediate conservation and management
Soil degradation and erosion
Preparation of a management plan
Zoning and conservation of key areas (altitude grasslands and spiny xerophytes)
High level of vegetation endemic to the site or to Morocco: forests of cedar Cedrus atlantica, with undergrowth of Buxus balearica, common juniper Juniperus communis (rare in Morocco)
Rare or endemic animal species: 7 of 21 mammal species, 28 of 62 birds, and 15 reptiles/amphibians of at least 19; e.g., an endemic shrew Crocidura russula yebalensis
Delimitated Government forestry land with land use rights
The SIBE has no legal status at present
Cedar forest degeneration due to overgrazing by 7,000 sheep and goats
Oak forest still in good shape, although threatened by increasing demand for firewood
Hunting is practiced on 3,000 ha
Preparation of management plan
Zoning and conservation of key areas (forest, xerophytes)
Part of site covered with cedar forest Cedrus atlantica mixed with green oak Quercus rotundifolia and part with juniper tree Juniperus thurifera
16 mammal species, including leopard Panthera pardus panthera last seen in 1993 and an endangered bat Pipistrellus savii
15 rare amphibian or reptile species, including Alytes obstetricans maurus, Discoglossus pictus sovazzi and Lacerta andeanskii
37 (of 99) rare or interesting bird species-both of northern and Saharan influences-such as the cascara duck Casarca ferruginea, an endemic woodpecker Dendrocops major mauritanicus and an endemic blackbird Turdus merula mauritanicus
Delimitated Government forestry land with land use rights and presumed collective land
No legal status at present
Juniper forest is degrading from overgrazing
Lack of forest regeneration due to tramping and grazing
Young cedar plants being uprooted for winter livestock feed
Soil baring and erosion a local problem
Incidences of poaching
Preparation of management plan
Zoning and conservation of key areas (cedar and juniper)
Participatory activities with local populations, especially for pasture management and improvement of pasture resources
Tourist information and public awareness
DREF - RIF
Talassemtane
Nature Park
64,600
18,500
Situated between Atlantic and Mediterranean bioclimates, range of altitude and ecosystems
Major forest types: oak forests Quercus coccifera, Q. faginea, Q. rotundifolia, Q. suber under 1,400 m. From 1,400 -1,800 m is the unique station of the Moroccan fir tree Abies maroccana, a strict endemic species
Fauna heavily depleted: large predators and birds of prey have largely disappeared
30 species of reptile and amphibians including 3 endemic species (Chalcides polylepis, C. colosii, and Blanus tingitanus and 3 rare species (Alytes obstetricans, Emys orbicularis and Natrix natrix)
National Park
IUCN Reserve: I, VIII
Delimitated and undelimitated Government forestry land with land use rights and presumed collective lands
Decree for creation of park in preparation
Population density 36 people/km2 living within its proposed boundaries
Intensive use of its forest resources
Lower altitude forest has been degraded into matorral or grasslands
Browse and tramping hampers forest regeneration
Clandestine marijuana Cannabis cultivation in deep forests
Institutional support needed to establish park, management procedures (esp. sustainable management and resource use by local populations)
Control of degradation causes
Negotiations with local populations
Conservation and restoration efforts, after initiation of public awareness activities and participatory measures with local communities
Protected Area Range
Size
(ha)
Popu-lation
Biological Importance/GEF Justification
Current Status
Main Threats
Proposed Actions
Jbel Moussa (SIBE)
4,000
Village in winter becomes summer tourist area
Many endemic species found here, including the rare Drosophyllum lusitanicum, found only around the Strait
The SIBE is fundamental for the crossing of small bird species, as it is the narrowest path across the Gibraltar Strait (14 km)
Small colony of Barbary macaca Maccaca sylvanus survives
Largest known colony of white-headed gull Larus cachinnans on the small Leila Islet
Delimitated and undelimitated Government forestry land with land use rights and presumed collective lands
Decree for creation of park in preparation
No legal status for park at present
Eggs of the white-headed gull are collected and sold, endangering the colony
Goats on the Leila islet threaten vegetation (dwarf palm Chamerops humilis)
Garbage disposal damages some sites (caves, littoral)
Poor control of deep-sea diving and fishing
Establishment of a management plan with a participatory approach
Regulation of gull eggs collection
Removal of goat herd from Leila Islet
Control of garbage disposal
Enforcement of diving regulations
Protected Area Range
Size
(ha)
Popu-lation
Biological Importance/GEF Justification
Current Status
Main Threats
Proposed Actions
DREF - RIF
Jbel Bouhachem (SIBE)
8,000
No homes inside, but livestock pasture
Among the best oak forests (Quercus faginea, Q. pyrenaica, Q. suber) left in Morocco, with very high floristic diversity: Maghreb mountain pine Pinus pinaster maghrebiana which is endemic there and the Atlas cedar Cedrus atlantica are found there
11 of 32 mammal, 32 of 91 bird, 8 of 29 reptile and 8 of 9 amphibian species are of major significance
Delimitated and undelimitated Government forestry land with land use rights
No legal status for site at present
Forest clearing for culture extension threatens the lower areas (Quercus pyrenaicus)
Impact by browsing by goats (95% of all livestock) needs to be assessed
Establishment of a management plan
Control of clearing
Establishment of managed fodder utilization and browse
DREF - ORIENTAL
Jbel Krouz (SIBE)
60,000
Un-known, but 20,000 livestock graze during some periods of the year
Mainly steppe vegetation, with alfa Stipa tenacissima and rosemary Rosmarius officinalis and scattered juniper Juniperus phoenicea forest
17 mammal species, including two cats Felis lybica and F. margarita, and three threatened species: the dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas, the mountain gazelle Gazella cuvieri and Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia
61 known and 17 probable bird species, of whom 25 are rare or endemic, including several large birds of prey (the griffon Gyps fulvus may still breed in the area) and many species endemic to the Sahara
5 species of amphibians and reptiles, including the strict endemic Bongersma’s frog Bufo brongersmai, the Maghreb’s cobra Naja haje legionis and the uromastyx Uromastyx acanthinurus acanthinurus
Nondelimitated Government forestry land with land use rights by nomadic shepherds
Overgrazing and browsing depletes the alfa cover and threatens the juniper forest regeneration
Juniper trees cut down for firewood
Hunting (poaching) is prevalent, especially on gazelles
Preparation of management plan
Zoning and conservation of key areas
Reintroduction and reinforcement of key animal species
Participatory activities with local populations,
Potential for tourism
Consideration of upgrade to s National Park
Chekhar (SIBE)
10,000
10 douars
Biodiveristy here not well known
Transition vegetation mostly, including thuya Tetraclinis articulata and termes oak Quercus coccifera, green oak Q. rotundifolia, and alfa steppe Stipa tenacissima
Large man-made plantations of Aleppo pine Pinus halepensis
Dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas and the houbara bustard Chlamydotis undulata still found on site
Undelimitated Government forestry land with land use rights by nomadic shepherds
No legal status for SIBE at present
Overutilization of the pasture threatens the alfa steppe and the regeneration of the forests
Semi-arid to arid mediterranean bioclimatic zone covered by a matorral of Berber thuya Tetraclinis aticulata and alfa Stipa tenacissima
Although status of mammals, reptiles and amphibians is not known, birdlife is varied and of utmost importance: two of the most endangered mediterranean fauna, the osprey Pandion haliaetus and the Audoin’s gull Larus audouinii, nest in the park
Peregrine falcon Falco pergrinus brookei, imperial eagle Aquila heliaca, Bonelli’s eagle Hiraetus fasciatus and red-billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax are also found there
Marine life of international importance: monk seal Monachus monachus, and several species of dolphin and sea turtles frequent these waters
Major fish breeding grounds, including the grouper Epinephelus guaza, a rare species
National Park
IUCN Reserve: III, VIII
Undelimitated Government forestry land with land use rights by nomadic shepherds
No legal status for SIBE at present
Intensive fishing may deplete breeding stock
Illegal techniques (e.g., dynamite, trawl nets near coast) disturb breeding grounds of fish and birds
Uncontrolled tourism, urbanization and growing pollution threaten the coast
Erosion due to rock and sand extraction at several sites
Unsustainable collection rates of natural resources
Overgrazing
4,000 ha hunting grounds in the proposed park
Protection and restoration of the habitat, especially the Berber thuya Tetraclinis aticulata and green oak Quercus rotundifolia ecosystems
Clean-up of illegal garbage dumps
Conservation of marine ecosystems and species
Development of a controlled tourist development program
No village, but mining town of 10,000 is planned if mining starts
One of the most exceptional sites in Morocco for biodiversity due to varied ecosystems
Vegetative diversity is high, and many species are strict endemic, both terrestrial and aquatic ones: Zostera noltii, Inula lozanoi, Limonium asperrimum, or Limoniastrum weygandiorum
2 of the 6 strict endemic mammals of Morocco are found here: the gerbil Gerbillus occiduus and the shrew Crocidura tarfayensis and 25 other mammals species are found here
Major breeding and/or wintering sites for several bird species (179 species, of which 56 breeders reside there): slender-billed gull Larus genei, Audouin’s gull Larus audouinii, Pierregarin stern Sterna hirundo, and crested cormorant Phalacrocorax aristotelis
17 amphibians and reptiles are found here, including 2 Moroccan endemics: the Bongersma’s frog Bufo brongersmai, and the Bohme’s gecko Tarentola boehmi
Snail Theba chaudeaui is only found here, and aquatic invertebrates include 18 Polychetae, 74 Crustaceae and 50 Molluscae
Ramsar site
Undelimitated Government forestry and non-forestry land, with land use rights.
The SIBE has no legal status at the moment
Rapid, uncontrolled tourism and touristic infrastructures developing nearby.
Entry but not activities within the area is controlled
Exploitable bituminous schists exist (unexploited at the moment, but experimental activities have been conducted)
Salt exploitation in the sebkhas
Fishing in the lagoon or along the beaches
Preparation of a management plan
Delimitation, zoning and conservation of the key areas.
Coordination with the other SIBEs of the Drâa valley and along the Atlantic coast (frequent interactions)
Participatory activities with local populations to control the use and limit the negative impact of exploitation.