Abandoned Quarries in the Akreuch Area (Western Morocco): Inventory of Flora for a Rehabilitation Strategy

Abdelkader Taleb,Hassan El Hadi,Bouamar Baghdad,Meriem Laghlimi,Meryem Taoufik

doi:10.4236/oje.2015.58030

Abstract

Quarrying is an activity contributing to the vitality of the Moroccan economy. However, most of these quarries were abandoned at the end of extraction and became dump and later a place of uncontrolled landfills. The number of restored or rehabilitated quarries is limited and this threatens several aspects of the environment, especially, the quality of surface and ground water, landscape, forests, etc. This also gives rise to increased erosion risk. The study identifies plant species covering 10 abandoned quarries in the region of Rabat, especially the Bouregreg River and its affluent Akreuch in order to define a strategy for their restoration or rehabilitation. Field surveys were led to locate and map 10 abandoned quarries and to sample plant species. Herbaria were established and species were identified and classified. The results of the study distinguished 46 different plant species spread over 45 genera and 27 botanical families. The most dominant family in the quarries visited is Asteraceae. These results will allow us to study the vegetation dynamics in these abandoned lands and serve as a basis, in the selection of appropriate species in eventual restoration or rehabilitation projects.

Highlights

In the Mediterranean countries, extractive activities increase pressure on soil and water resources already limited, which accelerates the process of erosion and subsequent destruction of existing arable lands [1]
This study identifies the flora of 10 limestone and marl abandoned quarries in the region of Akreuch and falls within the definition of a strategy for their redevelopment
In order to better know the flora colonizing the abandoned quarries, tables of identified species were developed for each quarry including their characteristics (Tables 2-11)

Summary

Introduction

In the Mediterranean countries, extractive activities increase pressure on soil and water resources already limited, which accelerates the process of erosion and subsequent destruction of existing arable lands [1]. 41% are abandoned including two quarries declared rehabilitated, 49% active and 10% suspended. Quarry exploitation is defined as a temporary land occupation; rehabilitation must allow the impacted land to regain its former position, or to be intended for a new use. Native plants are adapted to the soil, temperature, and the regime of their environment. They are genetically adapted to the local ecology [4]. This study identifies the flora of 10 limestone and marl abandoned quarries in the region of Akreuch and falls within the definition of a strategy for their redevelopment

Methods

Results

Conclusion