Effects of Tree Shelters on the Survival and Growth ofArgania spinosaSeedlings in Mediterranean Arid Environment

Chamchelmaarif Defaa,Salwa Elantry,Fouad Msanda,Sanae Lahlimi El Alami,Abdelhamid El Mousadik,Ahmed Achour

doi:10.1155/2015/124075

Abstract

The argan tree is endemic species of Morocco. It occupies an area of more than 8700 km2and plays essential ecological and economical roles. In spite of their value, the argan woodlands are subject to rapid and uncontrolled degradation during the last decades, mainly due to overgrazing and systematic collection of argan nuts. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of two types of tree shelters on survival and growth ofArgania spinosaseedlings planted in the southwest of Morocco in order to improve the results of reforestation programs which usually end by repeated failures. The experiment was conducted in the Mesguina forest for two growing seasons after transplantation in the field. After two years, the use of tree shelters significantly increased tree survival and allowed a gain of 20%. Height growth was positively affected by tree shelters. The use of tree shelters showed no significant decrease in basal diameter. In contrast, the height to diameter ratios of sheltered trees were much higher compared to the control. Thus, the use of the tree shelters could aid the early establishment and growth ofArgania spinosaunder conditions similar to those of the experiment.

Highlights

The argan forests (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) extend over 8700 square kilometers [1]
The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of two types of tree shelters on survival and growth of Argania spinosa seedlings planted in the southwest of Morocco in order to improve the results of reforestation programs which usually end by repeated failures
The height to diameter ratios of sheltered trees were much higher compared to the control

Summary

Introduction

The argan forests (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) extend over 8700 square kilometers [1]. Argan tree is a thermophilic and xerophytic tree species, evolving in warm temperate arid bioclimate (along the coast and in the plains) and in warm temperate semiarid bioclimate (High Atlas and Anti-Atlas), with annual rainfall ranging from 400 mm in the north (Safi), 250 mm in the Souss Valley, and 150 mm in the Anti-Atlas to less than 100 mm in the southern areas of desert nature [4] This tree, which can live up to 250 years [5], provides multiple uses for the local population: its very hard wood and the shell of the fruit are used for heating, the leaves and the pulp of its fruit and the oil cake are a valuable fodder for the flock, its thorny branches are used as fence for agricultural plots, edible oil and cosmetics are derived from its seed, and the rich soil of the forest area is a very favorable area for intercropping. The present work aims to test how these techniques can improve the regeneration of argan tree by assessing the effects of individual protection seedlings on its growth parameters under field conditions for the first two growing seasons after transplantation

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusions