Effects of Urbanization on the Degradation of the Palm Grove Around the City of Marrakech

Abstract

The city of Marrakech is experiencing a very significant development in terms of urbanization which leads to a significant reduction of the agricultural activity and increase of the rate of metallic pollution in soils. The impact of this metallic pollution on the microbial activity in these soils can negatively affect the growth and the development of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L). In addition, the urbanization has direct effects on the degradation of palm groves in the Marrakech region, following a decrease in agricultural and forestry productivity after anthropogenic activities which are at the origin of high metallic trace element (MTE) contents in soils. In order to assess the impacts of this pollution, the authors carried out a study in the rhizospheric soils of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) monitoring the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Zn). Eight sites were chosen: five urban sites (three gardens, two boulevards) and two peri-urban sites (palm groves).