Arid Agroecosystem Plant Diversity Results from Habitat-Specific Traditional Management

48 Pages Posted: 2 Nov 2023

See all articles by Soufian Chakkour

Soufian Chakkour

Abdelmalek Essaadi University

Erwin Bergmeier

University of Göttingen

Stefan Meyer

University of Göttingen

Mhammad Houssni

Abdelmalek Essaadi University

Khalil Kadaoui

Abdelmalek Essaadi University

Abdelouahab Sahli

Abdelmalek Essaadi University

Jalal Kassout

Abdelmalek Essaadi University

Mohammed Ater

Abdelmalek Essaadi University

Abstract

In the arid landscapes of South Morocco's Saharan fringe, traditional agroecosystems stand out for their rich diversity of segetal vegetation. This study examines the segetal flora of these unique agroecosystems, investigating their richness, community characteristics and composition. We collected 155 relevés in fields located in the Guelmim province comprising three agroecosystem types: Oases, terraced and floodplain fields (faïd). We found 221 vascular plant species including seven regional endemics and one nationally very rare species. Using TWINSPAN, we identified three plant communities, each restricted to a specific agroecosystem type, displaying differences in species composition, floristic status, life-form and biogeographical spectra. Oasis vegetation had the highest overall number of species, terraced fields had the highest diversity, and therophytes were dominant across all communities, with faïds being the most therophyte-rich. The pan-Mediterranean chorotype dominated all three community types. Apophytes dominated, particularly in faïd and terraced fields, surpassing oasis fields rich in ruderals. We found that traditional cereal agroecosystems in southern Morocco harbor species-rich segetal plant communities created by habitat-based land-use systems. Our results highlight the significance of agricultural practices and local abiotic factors in shaping the agroecosystems, which are adapted to arid environments and sensitive to environmental and social changes.

Keywords: Dryland farming, Northwest-Africa, Oasis, Terrace farming, Weeds.

Suggested Citation

Chakkour, Soufian and Bergmeier, Erwin and Meyer, Stefan and Houssni, Mhammad and Kadaoui, Khalil and Sahli, Abdelouahab and Kassout, Jalal and Ater, Mohammed, Arid Agroecosystem Plant Diversity Results from Habitat-Specific Traditional Management. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4615242 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4615242

Soufian Chakkour (Contact Author)

Abdelmalek Essaadi University ( email )

Erwin Bergmeier

University of Göttingen ( email )

Wilhelmsplatz 1
Göttingen, 37073
Germany

Stefan Meyer

University of Göttingen ( email )

Wilhelmsplatz 1
Göttingen, 37073
Germany

Mhammad Houssni

Abdelmalek Essaadi University ( email )

Khalil Kadaoui

Abdelmalek Essaadi University ( email )

Abdelouahab Sahli

Abdelmalek Essaadi University ( email )

Jalal Kassout

Abdelmalek Essaadi University ( email )

Mohammed Ater

Abdelmalek Essaadi University ( email )

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