Speaker
Description
Desert truffles, particularly those of the Terfezia and Tirmania, are edible hypogeous fungi widely distributed across Morocco’s arid and semi-arid regions, such as Souss-Massa, Drâa-Tafilalet, and the southern High Atlas. While valued for their nutritional, medicinal, and economic importance in rural livelihoods, these fungi remain underexplored in scientific literature. This bibliographic study aims to synthesize current knowledge on their biodiversity, ecological functions, and sustainable valorization potential, especially in the context of increasing climate vulnerability.
Available research, though limited, reveals the rich mycological potential of desert truffles and their ability to form mycorrhizal symbioses with specific host plants, particularly species of the Helianthemum genus. These mutualistic relationships contribute not only to nutrient acquisition but also to soil stabilization, water retention, and the overall resilience of desert ecosystems facing climatic stress. As such, desert truffles are considered valuable bioindicators of soil health and arid ecosystem dynamics.
Moreover, their fruiting conditions are highly dependent on specific soil properties, seasonal rainfall, and temperature ranges, making them especially sensitive to the effects of climate change. Their study and preservation are therefore essential within the broader framework of desertification control and rural adaptation strategies.
From a sociocultural perspective, truffle harvesting is a traditional activity deeply rooted in the practices of several southern Moroccan communities. These fungi are consumed locally, sold in informal markets, and associated with indigenous knowledge systems transmitted orally across generations. However, the lack of regulatory frameworks, the irregularity of production, and the absence of structured commercialization significantly hinder their long-term economic potential.
This bibliographic review highlights the urgent need to deepen scientific research on desert truffles, both for conservation purposes and for their integration into sustainable territorial development strategies. It also emphasizes the importance of awareness campaigns, local species cataloging, and collaboration between researchers, institutions, and local communities to promote fair and sustainable management of this unique fungal resource.
Desert truffles, therefore, represent not only a biological treasure to be preserved but also a strategic lever for strengthening the climate, economic, and social resilience of Morocco’s vulnerable drylands.
