Pastoral pressure and degradation of forest and peri-forest rangelands in the central Middle Atlas: case of the Tigrigra watershed (Morocco)

Abstract

Although the forest ecosystems of the western region of the central Middle Atlas have a significant fodder potential and a particular richness in terms of biodiversity. They are currently subject to a regressive dynamic under the influence of overgrazing. This study allows to draw up a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the pastoral pressure on the natural ecosystems of the Tigrigra watershed. This is a territory where climatic changes and social mutations (stability of herders and cultivation of land formerly reserved for grazing), combined with the increase in the number of herds, have led to the dependence of livestock feeding on forest fodder resources. Indeed, grazing practices in the study area are based on traditional concepts of extensive livestock rearing and misuse of pastoral resources, which leads to significant dysfunctions between pastoral supply and demand, and consequently to the degradation of natural ecosystems.