The Evolution of The Forest Cover with The Effect of Anthropic Pressure (The Case Study of Sehoul Cork-Oak Forest in Morocco, North Atlantic)

Abstract

Aim of study: The objectives of this study consist in an examination of the evolution of cork-oak forest in Sehoul forest, Morocco, over two decades and to analyze the impact of the anthropic pressure. Area of study: The research has been carried on Sehoul forest, located in northwestern Morocco. It is linked to the largest plain cork-oak forest in the world. Material and methods: This work carried via mapping of forest area, socio-economic surveys and participatory workshops, to assess the state of degradation of forest areas and their evolution, and to search for the causes of these with a relationship with human activities. Main results: Sehoul cork-oak forest is among the forest ecosystems that play a fundamental economic, social and environmental role. However, the current state of its stands is disturbing. The progressive degradation is the result of a combination of climatic and anthropogenic factors that continue to intensify. The degradation of the forest can be expressed by its replacement by introduced species and the reduction of its coverage rate, and the absence of its natural regeneration. Highlights: The cork-oak forest in Sehoul, firewood-borne forest regression is twice as high as forest production and overgrazing rate is around 80%.