Scientists are mobilizing for the Moroccan cedar forest [INTÉGRAL]

Classified as part of UNESCO’s “Man and Biosphere” program in 2016, the Middle Atlas Cedar Grove was at the heart of discussions at the “scientific meeting of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve (RBCA)” which took place in Ifrane from October 30 to November 1, 2024. Under the theme “Water, Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage”, the event, organized by the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) and the NGO Living Planet Morocco, had the main objective of “dealing with key themes of the cedar ecosystem: Water and wetlands, forest management, protected areas, socio-economic uses and cultural heritage”. The meeting was also an opportunity to “propose technical solutions following discussions between managers and scientists on the state of conservation of the Reserve” and to support the process of updating development and management plans. national parks of Ifrane, Khénifra and Haut Atlas Oriental.

Water resources

Thus, the first day of this scientific meeting focused on the essential theme of water resources and wetlands. After an overall presentation by the organizers on the biosphere reserve, representatives of the Hydraulic Basin Agencies relating to this territory (Sebou and Oum Er Rabia in particular) presented the current state of water resources in their areas of action, as well as the various activities and actions planned as part of their missions. This day also saw several interventions and discussions on the challenge of conservation and restoration of wetlands in the Middle Atlas, in a context marked by the impacts of climate change. Representatives of the RBCA national parks (Ifrane, Khénifra and Haut Atlas Oriental) also highlighted their action plans concerning the preservation and integrated management of wetlands which are part of their respective territories.

Forest management

The day of October 31 was dedicated to the challenges of sustainable forest management through thematic interventions by representatives of the Forestry Research and Innovation Center (CRIF), the Regional Directorate of ANEF Fès-Meknes and the National Forestry Engineering School (ENFI). Also on the program for this second day, sessions dedicated to the current state of the RBCA’s threatened fauna. On this subject, four interventions were carried out by researchers affiliated with Ibnou Zohr University (amphibians and reptiles), Moulay Ismaïl University (threatened birds) and the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (threatened fauna). The Department of National Parks and Protected Areas under the ANEF, for its part, presented the various wildlife conservation action plans at the level of the Biosphere Reserve, highlighting the reintroduction actions carried out in the territory. , notably those relating to the Barbary mouflon, the Barbary deer and the porcupine.

Cultural heritage

The last day of this scientific meeting focused on cultural heritage (tangible and intangible) and the evolution of socio-economic uses of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve. The discussions and presentations during this last session highlighted the need to inventory and safeguard the cultural heritage of this territory, as well as the urgency of improving its sustainable and integrated management. At the end of the event, the participants formulated several thematic recommendations and agreed that the event should be the first in a series of annual meetings between researchers, young researchers and managers, which makes it possible to propose scientific and techniques in the development and management of natural resources. During the coming weeks, ANEF plans to organize two other meetings, this time dedicated to associations and institutions active in the territory in order to build a common vision for the collective management of the reserve.