Speaker
Description
Mohamed Libiad, Yahya El Karmoudi, Abdelmajid Khabbach, Soumia Fahd
The northern Moroccan mountains constitute a hotspot of biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin and are rich in orchids. However, threats to orchids are still poorly understood, particularly the effects of climate change and human activities. Moreover, information on their distributions is limited. This study aims to study the diversity of orchids and the factors affecting their distribution and their conservation at the level of the West Rif Area (Northern Morocco). In the study area, 53 stations were surveyed during the orchids flowering period. At each surveyed station, various parameters were recorded, namely the specific richness and abundance of orchids, altitude, exposure, slope, percentage of station cover, and the plant group associated with the orchids. A GPS location of the various stations was carried out. Our investigation allowed the inventory of 25 orchids taxa belonging to 7 genera. The genus Ophrys is the richest, with 15 taxa. However, Serapias parviflora Parl. is the most abundant species, covering 19 stations. In total, five taxa were identified for the first time in Morocco, namely Ophrys phryganae Devillers-Tersch. & Devillers, O. sicula Tineo, O. subfusca (Rchb. f.) Batt., O. tenthredinifera subsp. grandiflora (Ten.) Kreutz and O. villosa Desf. Ten categories of human activities threaten the conservation of orchids in the study area have been identified, namely urbanization, agriculture, olive growing, grazing, forest cutting, harvesting medicinal plants, tourism, trampling, waste dumping and fire. The massive flowering of Ophrys apifera Huds. during the 2023 dry year in comparison with other species could be explained by the effect of climate change. The results of this study could constitute a basis for ex-situ and in-situ conservation of orchids at the regional level. A specific conservation and enhancement actions are recommended; namely the adaptation of ex-situ restoration and conservation programs (seed collection, germination test, acclimatization, etc.).
Keywords: In situ conservation, Human activities, Northern Morocco, Wilds Orchids.
