MULTIPLE SPATIAL CHANGES IN THE ARGAN ECOSYSTEM- (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) - CASE STUDY (MOROCCO)

Abstract

Argania spinosa L. endemic to Morocco, is a multipurpose tree with an important socio-economic and ecological interest. The study was carried out in an Argan forest Laqliaa municipality, South West Morocco, which is located in semi-arid bioclimatic region. The objective is to present a diagnosis for the state and dynamics of forest degradation through cartography, GIS and socioeconomic analyses between two periods (1986-2018). For this purpose, we analyzed and estimated all multiple change in the forest area surfaces. The method used is based on the comparison of two digital forest map files from the National Forest Inventory (1986 mission) and from the most recent aerial photography (2018).The cartographic analysis of the spatial forest area and socio-economic dynamics revealed a regressive dynamic of change resulting from agriculture under Argan forest, urbanization, human and pastoral pressure. The rescue and restoration of the Argan forest remains conditional on vigorous actions in time and space and especially in the duration of sustainable development.