Abstract
The analysis of biological diversity at a regional scale is the first step to understand and classify the biological importance of a specific region and therefore the adoption of implementing conservation strategies. We conducted weekly bird counts by using the point count method from January 2015 to December 2017 in Midelt province, Morocco. A total of 130 bird species were observed, among breeding, migrant, and wintering species belonging to 42 families. Accipitridae (15 species), Muscicapidae (9 species), and Alaudidae (9 species) were the most observed families. Order of Passeriformes was the dominant order represented with 16 families and 68 species. Moreover, five species of conservation concern were recorded such as the vulnerable European turtle dove, houbara bustard, and Dupont’s lark; the near threatened ferruginous duck and bearded vulture; and the endangered Egyptian vulture. On the other hand, the results of the diversity analysis (Margalef index, Shannon–Wiener index, and Simpson index) showed the highest diversity in wetlands, forests, steppes, and farmlands, while cliff, landfills, and urban areas were the least diversified habitats. Finally, with its geographic situation between humid Atlas and Sahara desert, as well as the diversity of habitats and avifauna, Midelt region needs advanced analysis in terms of biodiversity and environmental characteristics, in order to provide effective conservation management.
Highlights
Ismail Mansouri,1 Wafae Squalli,1 Abdelbari El Agy,1 Badr Ben Hichou,2 Abderahim El Hassani,1 Lahcen El Ghadraoui,1 and Mohamed Dakki 2
Introduction e study of biological diversity in a regional pattern is an important step in conservation management [1]
This process is difficult in time and field, but the completion of such syntheses, patterns of biological diversity, is crucial for both conservation measures and scientific knowledge regarding the process of biological diversification [6, 7]
Summary
Ismail Mansouri ,1 Wafae Squalli ,1 Abdelbari El Agy ,1 Badr Ben Hichou, Abderahim El Hassani, Lahcen El Ghadraoui, and Mohamed Dakki 2. With its geographic situation between humid Atlas and Sahara desert, as well as the diversity of habitats and avifauna, Midelt region needs advanced analysis in terms of biodiversity and environmental characteristics, in order to provide effective conservation management. Morocco is situated in the Mediterranean Basin hotspot, one of Earth’s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial ecoregions [8, 9] It hosts the second greatest concentration of animal and vegetation diversity in the Mediterranean Basin and the greatest marine biodiversity [10, 11]. Morocco is the gate between Europe and Africa for many migrant bird species [17] Despite this richness and diversity, Moroccan ecosystems are less studied; several of them are under pressure and most are moderately-to-severely degraded. Midelt houses the Isli, Tislit, and Agoulmame Sidi Ali RAMSAR wetlands [18, 19], which are the least wetlands that can be used as a stopover site by migrant species before crossing the Sahara desert
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