Exchange visit on the restoration of forests and landscapes between Morocco and Italy

On 23 and 24 May, the MMFN representatives were able to visit the Talassemtane area, where they were welcomed and guided by Koutar Aouane, Director of the Talassemtane National Park (Department of Water and Forests) and Mchich Derak, Regional Directorate for water and forests and the fight against the desertification of the Rif.

Presentation of the Talassemtane National Park (Morocco)

The PNTLS (Talassemtane National Park) covers an area of ​​58,950 hectares and includes a very original territory which is individualized by its biodiversity, its remarkable landscapes and its cultural richness. PNTLS is part of the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean (RBIM), which was officially declared in 2006 by UNESCO; an ecological, historical and cultural wealth shared between the north of Morocco and Andalusia (about 1 million hectares). Due to the great diversity of its flora and its plant groups developed on the various rocky substrates and in a rainy and mild climate, this space is individualized as the most original entity of the Rif chain, or even of all Morocco. The Abies marocana forests of the Talassemtane National Park are the only populations of this endemic species of Morocco, found only in the Rif (exclusively in the Chefchaouen mountains).

The goal of the creation of the RBIM is to promote a sustainable development model that favors the conservation of the specific and shared natural and cultural resources of the RBIM and the consolidation of the network of protected natural areas of northern Morocco and southern Andalusia. The PTTL contains the only Moroccan fir-wood the last witnesses of a unique ecosystem in the world and now threatened with extinction. These fir-wood form the heart of the central parc area and extend over an area of ​​3000 hectares.

Goals of the Talassemtane National Park:

• Conservation of ecosystem biodiversity
• Sustainable development of natural resources
• Development of Ecotourism
• Environmental awareness and education

Field visit to an area affected by a fire in 2015 and now undergoing restoration - The RESTOR MED FORESTS Morocco project

An on-site visit to an area of ​​the Talassemtane Park, which was hit by fire in 2015, was carried out on 24 May. The large-scale fire affected more than 1,000 hectares of mixed forest of Moroccan fir and maritime pine.

The Amazzar area, which covers approximately 15 hectares, was chosen as a pilot area to implement the RESTOR'MED FORESTS restoration project. The pilot area was restored by removing the residual wood material, preparing the ground with holes and subsequent planting of the maritime pine. The moroccan fir has not yet been reintroduced due to the lack of adequate reproductive material, as the nurseries are currently not equipped with adequate equipment for the production of this species. The reforestation areas were chosen from plots with the greatest lack of natural regeneration and monitoring is underway to identify the ecological model most favorable to the regeneration of fir trees. During the autumn of 2022, direct sowing of Moroccan fir will take place in the most suitable sites.

Exchange of Italian experience with the reproduction of native fir trees

In Italy, in the last 20 years, two concrete experiments have been carried out to improve Abies populations in two different conservation contexts.

The first case concerned Abies nebrodensis in the Madonie in Sicily. The natural population consists of a few dozen trees. The conservation work consisted in the production of a clone park to conserve the gene pool of the species and the nursery production of seed plants. These were planted in areas ecologically similar to the vegetation areas of the natural population. These activities have yielded positive results even though Abies nebrodensis is very slow growing but has a rooting / settlement rate of less than 60%.

The second case involved the increase of 4 populations of Abies alba Miller in the Tuscan Apennines. Since the natural indigenous populations to be conserved are contiguous to spruce trees of non-native origin, the technique used to reproduce new plants was grafting. The technique was developed by creating small Abies alba reforestation nuclei consisting of grafted plants with mixed genetic characteristics to account for most of the genetic variability of the original population.

This technique is detailed in the LIFE GoProFor project database of good biodiversity conservation practices at the following link: https://www.lifegoprofor-gp.eu/best-practice/25/eng.

Tuscan experience in prescribed burns

In the past, a common practice of shepherds was to set pastures on fire to promote the growth of fresher and more appetizing grass for livestock. This practice, repeated over time, in addition to impoverishing the soil, was often the cause of fires, even large ones. For this reason, the Tuscany Region has created a project in which it uses the prescribed burn technique to obtain the same effect, but in safe conditions and with specialized personnel. In this case, an adequate time window is chosen to carry out the prescribed combustion (which is never in the period of high fire risk) and the combustion of the material takes place in a slow and controlled way, safeguarding the microfauna and the soil. With this type of approach, shepherds obtain pastures with fresh and desirable grass but no longer cause the great fires of the past because it is the public body that helps them to achieve the same effect but with sustainable techniques for the environment and the ecosystem.

Cannabis cultivation and reduction of forest areas in the Rif (Morocco)

Cannabis cultivation is the main economic and agricultural activity, as well as the most profitable, in the Rif area near the Abies marocana forests. Cannabis requires fertile land that growers are gradually removing from the forest. It is estimated that between the early 2000s and today, approximately 3% of the Rif forests have been cleared to make way for cannabis cultivation.

The Talassemtane National Park, also through the participatory approach implemented with the RESTOR'MED FORESTS project, seeks to sensitize the local population on the importance of forests for the territory and for their own well-being. Local associations were involved in reforestation and management of the Amazzar area, with participants receiving compensation for their activities. This activity will always engage the local population to move them away from cannabis cultivation or otherwise reduce their interest.

Rest areas for the development of local tourism in the Park

The Talassemtane National Park has set up three rest areas in as many strategic points along the road that crosses the forests. The aim of the rest areas is to concentrate tourist activities in controllable points and at the same time to offer an infrastructure that can be used by local cooperatives and/or associations. The 3 areas are characterized by an area of ​​about 6,000 square meters, circumscribed by a fence and equipped with a stone and concrete barbecue to better contain and control the fire. Furthermore, these rest areas will be equipped by the local partner selected by the forest administration to take care of the management. Each area can also be used for cultural activities linked to the presence of the Park and to the conservation and enhancement of the Rif forests.

From 25 to 27 May, the MMFN representatives were able to visit the Ifrane Region, where they were welcomed and guided by:

• Mohamed Moukliss, Director of the Ifrane National Park, Department of Water and Forests
• Driss Hachimi, Treasurer of the Ifrane Model Forest Association
• Lahcen Oukanou, General Secretary of Ifrane Model Forest Association
• Driss Tallouzt, Deputy Treasurer of Ifrane Model Forest Association
• Zalmad Said, Esecutive Director of Ifrane Model Forest Association
• Benyoussef Kerrach, President of Sahb Lghnem Silopastoral Management Association
• Benyoussef Taaouche, General Secretary of Sahb Lghnem Sylvopastoral Management Association
• Mellouk Mohammed, President of Sylvopastoral Management Association Ait Hcein O Hand
• Tahiri Moha O Hammou, General Secretary of Sylvopastoral Management Association Ait Hcein O Hand
• Zohra Bouziane, President of the Friends of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve Association

Presentation of the activities of the Ifrane National Park and the Ifrane Model Forest

Ifrane National Park is located in the Middle Atlas Mountain range. It was created in 2004, then expanded in 2008 and covers approximately 125,000 hectares. 86% of these area is covered by forests, of which 65% is owned by the State and the rest by private individuals. The main species present are the Atlas cedar, the holm oak, the maritime pine and the thuriferous juniper. The Park is part of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve. Various anthropogenic pressures are exerted on the Park territory, including overgrazing and over-exploitation of the forest. For this reason, one of the main activities of the Park is to collaborate with the Silvopastoral Management Associations (AGS) in the development of a pastoral plan by working with the local population. It is also thanks to the work with the local population that the sheep and the hedgehog have been reintroduced. Another important activity of the Park is environmental education and ecotourism (monkey watching).

The Model Forest of Ifrane covers an area of ​​approximately 116,000 hectares and is characterized from the forest point of view by the presence of cedar, holm oak, maritime pine, juniper thurifer and Zen oak. 33% of the Model Forest land is in the Ifrane National Park. The Ifrane Model Forest also includes among its objectives the resolution of problems related to overgrazing, the illegal export of timber and the fight against growing poverty. They have developed several actions in the past that continue to this day. These include the creation of improved ovens for baking bread, the use of renewable energy in mosques and several projects to improve certain sectors, including saffron and lavender, to strengthen the role of women in the rural context.

Example of regeneration of the Atlas cedar

The Model Forest of Ifrane showed a cedar forest bordering the grazing area where a fence was installed to prevent grazing. About 15-20 years ago, they replanted Atlas cedar seedlings. A few years after the cessation of grazing, mainly in open spaces under the cover of cedars, a natural regeneration has also taken hold, the oldest examples of which are about 8-10 years old.

This example shows how, in contexts where cedar is spontaneously present, the suspension of grazing can lead to natural regeneration. The new seedlings represent the possibility of alternating senescent plants with younger plants that are more effective in fixing CO₂. In addition, natural regeneration saves a large part of the CO₂ emissions caused by producing nurseries, preparing the soil, opening sufficiently large holes and maintaining crops for the first 3-5 years, including irrigation and mechanical weeding of herbs. It is therefore useful to limit grazing in all areas where natural regeneration can be achieved, limiting afforestation to cases where natural regeneration is more difficult to achieve or where it is not technically or socially possible to stop grazing for a long time. In such cases, however, it is necessary to install adequate mechanical protection against grazing of the seedlings up to a height of at least 150 cm.

Meeting with the AGS (Silvopastoral Management Associations)

During the exchange days, the AGS stated that the managed herds consist of around 20,000 sheep on a grazing area of ​​around 15,000 hectares, about half of which are forests. The traditional grazing cycle can no longer be maintained and grazing activity is now permanent with alternating pastures and forests between seasons. There is an awareness on the part of shepherds: since grazing has become permanent, the pressure on pastoral areas and forests has increased dramatically and solutions need to be found to supplement incomes and improve grazing areas through rotational grazing.

Pilot project of lavender plantation

The AGS, with the support of the women members of the AGS, dedicated 30 hectares of pasture to the lavender plantation (Lavandula angustifolia) with the aim of differentiating income opportunities for families and, in particular, for women. The sowing of lavender seedlings took place in the spring of 2022. The pilot area of ​​about 2 hectares that can be visited showed the difficulty of lavender plants in overcoming the stress of transplanting from the nursery to the target area. The AGS indicated that rescue irrigation would be done on lavender plants to facilitate the establishment of the root system and the production of a new aerial part. The AGS showed a recently purchased distiller specifically for lavender essential oils. The distiller will be used by the female members of the AGS to produce essential oils which will then be marketed.

Cheese production

Cheese production could be developed as a supplement to income, but local tradition does not see the opportunity, and the tools, techniques, infrastructure and training needed to develop a pilot project have not yet been developed. It would also be necessary to understand if local and regional supply chains are actually in place for this product.

10km of cedar alignments

AGS is aware of the importance of trees in addressing the climate crisis by fixing CO₂ in their wood, of the potential to create favorable environmental conditions for herds by providing shade during the hottest hours of the summer season and of the value that wood in trees can represent. in a poor area. That's why the AGS wants to plant a row of Atlas cedars, about 10 kilometers long, to delineate some of the grazing areas it manages. However, although the Atlas cedar is considered a very important species and is already present in some areas bordering the pastures, there is a risk that the climate crisis will change the environmental conditions to the point of making them unsuitable for the Atlas cedar. For this reason it would be prudent not to invest in a single species, but in several tree species, in order to differentiate the biological, environmental and economic risk.

Experimental activities for the enrichment of pastures

Most of the grazing areas observed, representative of the approximately 15,000 hectares managed by the AGS (data provided directly by the FM of Ifrane), are in a state of serious degradation. The cause was attributed to the interruption of the vertical transhumance activities of the herds, caused by the changes in the crops in the valley, and to the consequent stay of over 20,000 sheep in the same area throughout the year. This situation is compounded by irrational management practices that generate excessive grazing and degraded plots. The persistence of grazing practices leads, especially in summer, to intense pressure on the forest areas managed by the AGS. Faced with this situation, the Ifrane Model Forest has implemented a series of actions aimed at rationalizing grazing and increasing the tabular value. To this end, it created a pilot area where the sowing of herbaceous species was tested. The seeds were collected, dried, mixed with soil and then distributed in the degraded pilot area. The seed collection was done directly by a group of female AGS members in an area near a cedar forest on the edge of the pasture. The sowing was carried out in an area that illustrates the widespread deterioration situation. It has not been possible to closely observe the results of this pilot action, however, it is believed that this practice is potentially effective as an action to improve pastoral value. Furthermore, the procedure is extremely resistant, especially since it is completely manual and easily reproducible by local populations. These practices can be ineffective in the absence of a pastoral plan and a formative activity that leads pastors to apply more rational and respectful practices of pastoral value.

Creation of water points for livestock

The availability of water in the vast areas dedicated to the breeding of wild sheep and goats is an essential element to make production more efficient. The Model Forest of Ifrane used public resources to identify strategic locations where it subsequently built troughs for livestock. The difficulty to be overcome in this phase of the project is to supply water to the drinking troughs. Once the project is completed, more watering troughs better distributed in the grazing area will encourage greater rotation of animals in grazing areas.

Restoration work on a maritime pine on a burnt area in 2002

The availability of water in the vast areas dedicated to the breeding of wild sheep and goats is an essential element to make production more efficient. The Model Forest of Ifrane used public resources to identify strategic locations where it subsequently built troughs for livestock. The difficulty to be overcome in this phase of the project is to supply water to the drinking troughs. Once the project is completed, more watering troughs better distributed in the grazing area will encourage greater rotation of animals in grazing areas.

Restoration work on a maritime pine on a burnt area in 2002

Inspection of an area of ​​more than 1,000 hectares hit by a fire in 2002 revealed the effects of a fire so intense that it caused a severe loss of soil fertility. This condition appears to have prevented the natural regeneration of the maritime pine to such an extent that widespread artificial regeneration was required. Planted seedlings do not show significant growth, especially in the first few years after planting. The passage of fire also changed the specific composition in favor of pyrophytic species such as cistus. The state of the sites suggests waiting for the natural evolution of the ecosystem and to implement preventive actions (eg. fire barriers, rapid fire fighting tracks) aimed at containing the surface likely to be covered by any future fires. To accelerate the localized recovery of fertility, the delegation proposed to experiment on small areas, with the planting of bare root plants previously immersed in a mixture of mature forest soil and water.

Drying of lakes due to climate crisis and tree pressure

It was pointed out that the cultivation of fruit trees, which requires a large amount of water during the growing season, is developing strongly in the region. The development of these crops has led to a significant lowering of the water table. At present, regional and national policy makers have not adopted strategies to contain the phenomenon or plan its development. The cultivation of fruit trees, combined with the reduction of the winter snow cover and the availability of precipitation caused by the climate crisis, has led to the almost total disappearance of a lake system which has had beneficial effects on the local microclimate and on the environment in general.

Illustration of the strategy defined by the AREBICA association

he AREBICA association aims to operate throughout the territory identified as the Middle Atlas Biosphere Reserve. AREBICA highlighted the need for a sociological study before any action in order to make the actions that will eventually be implemented later more effective.

Priority actions include:

• The enhancement of cedar forests with the triple objective of increasing their value through appropriate thinning to be practiced in the densest formations, to facilitate the energy use of smaller materials and to offer an economic resource capable of integrating the income of pastoralism.
• The development of ecotourism activities in synergy with the Ifrane National Park (eg stargazing, horseback riding, trekking, cycling).
• Environmental education with primary school children.