ANNEX A Morocco: Protected Areas Management Project Key: = Implementation Responsibility DREF = Regional Offices of the Administration des Eaux et Forêts et de la Conservation des Sols SIBE = Site of Biological and Ecological Interest
Size (ha) 38,000 Population 32,000 (outside park) Biological Importance/GEF Justification Current Status Main Threats Proposed Actions
Protected Area Range
TOUBKAL NATIONAL PARK
DREF - HIGH ATLAS Rainfall, isolation and altitude contribute to National Park wide range of ecosystems, including at least IUCN Reserve: II 145 endemic species (24 strictly endemic), several species of fauna of global importance
Tamga (SIBE)
8,500
Many douars in and around the site
Pine tree forest Pinus halepensis associated with juniper tree Juniperus phoenicea One of the last sites where Leopard Panthera pardus panthera was seen in Morocco Rare or endemic mammal species, and 31 bird species Very high degree of endemism
Government forestry land with land use rights; no legal status at present
Livestock grazing (even in the integral reserve during droughts) Wood collection Erosion is a growing problem, though poaching is under control Feral dogs found in integral reserve Overutilized oak forest Overgrazing (more than 3,000 shepherds) use the site
Speed restoration of ecosystems and animal populations through increased public awareness and participatory approach of park users, development of ecotourism efforts and direct conservation Preparation of management plan, Zoning and conservation of key areas Oak forest restoration Control of pasture Survey of leopards’ existence Participatory activities with local populations Establishment of management plan Control of resource overutilization Development of alternative livelihoods for local communities Protection and regeneration of undergrowth Introduction of rotational grazing
Aghbar (SIBE)
6,500
20 douars nearby
IFRANE NATURAL PARK (including Aguelman Afenourir, SIBE and RAMSAR site)
54,000
600
EASTERN HIGH ATLAS NATIONAL PARK
52,500
18,500
Unique site of the strictly endemic Atlas Government forestry land cypress Cupressus atlantica, with Juniperus with land use rights; no phoenicea. legal status at present Otter Lutra lutra may still survive in rivers Of 79 bird species are of major significance, as are 19 reptile and amphibians 12 mammals, including the caracal Felis caracal still exist there DREF - MIDDLE ATLAS Forests in park essentially based on cedar National Park Cedrus atlantica Lake Afenourir is a Only 5 of 11 observed Carnivora species Ramsar site described remain, including wild cat Felis IUCN Reserve: I, VIII lybica Delimitated and un 142 bird species; however, their populations delimitated Government are low, and 33 Reptiles (6 endemic) forestry land with land Important role in watershed conservation use rights; decree to create park in preparation Very large variety of ecosystems and large span National Park of endemic species IUCN Reserve: II Associated sub-ecosystems host more than 50 Delimitated and rare and endemic species, some endemic to the undelimitated park Government forestry land May be one of few remaining sanctuaries for with land use rights; highly endangered leopard Panthera pardus, decree to create park in last seen in 1993 preparation
Heavy overgrazing (estimated at 10 times carrying capacity) No forest regeneration Clear felling of forests Fructification loss due to cutting of branches and treetops to feed goats Heavy loss of soil and landsides Overgrazing reduces number of endemic plants, favoring invasive or nonpalatable species Use of strychnine or agricultural pesticides have caused several rare or endangered species to disappear
Current human practices threaten forests, including branch and treetop cuttings for livestock and firewood Traditional pasture rotation may be unsustainable due to flock and human population growth Strychnine use to control jackals and hyenas has caused disappearance of larger birds of prey
Creation of park management unit an absolute priority; this also requires establishment of a negotiation structure Priority focus on restoration of lake Afenourir area Sustainable management of resources and development of alternative livelihoods Institutional support needed to establish park, management procedures (esp. sustainable management and resource use by local populations) Disappearance of birds of prey must be tackled at the national level Conservation and restoration efforts, including strengthening of public awareness and participatory measures
Protected Area Range personalJbel Bou Naceur (SIBE)
Size (ha) 14,000
Population 3,000 shepherd s by right
Biological Importance/GEF Justification High altitude grasslands and spiny xerophytes with high vegetative endemism: 60 species, 19 subspecies and 13 varieties of plants endemic to Morocco 9 of 25 mammal, 23 of 69 bird and 8 of 20 amphibian species, of global interest, including caracal Felis caracal algira, mountain gazelle Gazella cuvieri, and shrew Crocidura russula and several birds of prey High level of vegetation endemic to the site or to Morocco: forests of cedar Cedrus atlantica, with undergrowth of Buxus balearica, common juniper Juniperus communis (rare in Morocco) Rare or endemic animal species: 7 of 21 mammal species, 28 of 62 birds, and 15 reptiles/amphibians of at least 19; e.g., an endemic shrew Crocidura russula yebalensis
Current Status Government forestry land, both delimitated and nondelimitated No legal status at moment, although southern portion belongs to Royal Reserve of Outat el Hadj
Main Threats Overutilization of natural resources Overgrazing in higher zones Forest clearing for wood production and absence of forest regeneration Ecosystem as a whole is seriously disturbed and requires immediate conservation and management Soil degradation and erosion Cedar forest degeneration due to overgrazing by 7,000 sheep and goats Oak forest still in good shape, although threatened by increasing demand for firewood Hunting is practiced on 3,000 ha Juniper forest is degrading from overgrazing Lack of forest regeneration due to tramping and grazing Young cedar plants being uprooted for winter livestock feed Soil baring and erosion a local problem Incidences of poaching
Proposed Actions Preparation of a management plan Zoning and conservation of key areas (altitude grasslands and spiny xerophytes) Anti-erosion activities Pasture management plan Participatory activities with local populations
Jbel Tichoukt (SIBE)
12,500
100 shepherd s
Delimitated Government forestry land with land use rights The SIBE has no legal status at present
Bou Iblane (SIBE)
12,000
10 villages, 200 herders
TALASSEMTANE NATURE PARK
64,600
18,500
Part of site covered with cedar forest Cedrus Delimitated Government atlantica mixed with green oak Quercus forestry land with land rotundifolia and part with juniper tree Juniperus use rights and presumed thurifera collective land 16 mammal species, including leopard Panthera No legal status at present pardus panthera last seen in 1993 and an endangered bat Pipistrellus savii 15 rare amphibian or reptile species, including Alytes obstetricans maurus, Discoglossus pictus sovazzi and Lacerta andeanskii 37 (of 99) rare or interesting bird species-both of northern and Saharan influences-such as the cascara duck Casarca ferruginea, an endemic woodpecker Dendrocops major mauritanicus and an endemic blackbird Turdus merula mauritanicus DREF - RIF Situated between Atlantic and Mediterranean National Park bioclimates, range of altitude and ecosystems IUCN Reserve: I, VIII Major forest types: oak forests Quercus Delimitated and coccifera, Q. faginea, Q. rotundifolia, Q. suber undelimitated under 1,400 m. From 1,400 -1,800 m is the Government forestry land unique station of the Moroccan fir tree Abies with land use rights and maroccana, a strict endemic species presumed collective Fauna heavily depleted: large predators and birds lands of prey have largely disappeared Decree for creation of 30 species of reptile and amphibians including 3 park in preparation endemic species (Chalcides polylepis, C. colosii, and Blanus tingitanus and 3 rare species (Alytes obstetricans, Emys orbicularis and Natrix natrix)
Preparation of management plan Zoning and conservation of key areas (forest, xerophytes) Restoration and management of oak forest for firewood production Participatory activities with local populations Reintroduction of Barbary sheep Preparation of management plan Zoning and conservation of key areas (cedar and juniper) Participatory activities with local populations, especially for pasture management and improvement of pasture resources Tourist information and public awareness
Population density 36 people/km2 living within its proposed boundaries Intensive use of its forest resources Lower altitude forest has been degraded into matorral or grasslands Browse and tramping hampers forest regeneration Clandestine marijuana Cannabis cultivation in deep forests Incidences of poaching, mostly at abundant species, although some hunters shoot birds of prey
Institutional support needed to establish park, management procedures (esp. sustainable management and resource use by local populations) Control of degradation causes Negotiations with local populations Conservation and restoration efforts, after initiation of public awareness activities and participatory measures with local communities
Protected Area Range Jbel Moussa (SIBE)
Size (ha) 4,000
Population Village in winter becomes summer tourist area
Biological Importance/GEF Justification Many endemic species found here, including the rare Drosophyllum lusitanicum, found only around the Strait The SIBE is fundamental for the crossing of small bird species, as it is the narrowest path across the Gibraltar Strait (14 km) Small colony of Barbary macaca Maccaca sylvanus survives Largest known colony of white-headed gull Larus cachinnans on the small Leila Islet Biological Importance/GEF Justification
Current Status Delimitated and undelimitated Government forestry land with land use rights and presumed collective lands Decree for creation of park in preparation No legal status for park at present Current Status
Main Threats Eggs of the white-headed gull are collected and sold, endangering the colony Goats on the Leila islet threaten vegetation (dwarf palm Chamerops humilis) Garbage disposal damages some sites (caves, littoral) Poor control of deep-sea diving and fishing Main Threats
Proposed Actions Establishment of a management plan with a participatory approach Regulation of gull eggs collection Removal of goat herd from Leila Islet Control of garbage disposal Enforcement of diving regulations
Protected Area Range
Size (ha) 8,000
Population No homes inside, but livestock pasture
Proposed Actions
Jbel Bouhachem (SIBE)
Jbel Krouz (SIBE)
60,000
Unknown, but 20,000 livestock graze during some periods of the year
Chekhar (SIBE)
10,000
10 douars
DREF - RIF Among the best oak forests (Quercus faginea, Q. Delimitated and pyrenaica, Q. suber) left in Morocco, with very undelimitated high floristic diversity: Maghreb mountain pine Government forestry land Pinus pinaster maghrebiana which is endemic with land use rights there and the Atlas cedar Cedrus atlantica are No legal status for site at found there present 11 of 32 mammal, 32 of 91 bird, 8 of 29 reptile and 8 of 9 amphibian species are of major significance DREF - ORIENTAL Mainly steppe vegetation, with alfa Stipa Nondelimitated tenacissima and rosemary Rosmarius officinalis Government forestry land and scattered juniper Juniperus phoenicea forest with land use rights by nomadic shepherds 17 mammal species, including two cats Felis lybica and F. margarita, and three threatened No legal status for SIBE species: the dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas, the at present mountain gazelle Gazella cuvieri and Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia 61 known and 17 probable bird species, of whom 25 are rare or endemic, including several large birds of prey (the griffon Gyps fulvus may still breed in the area) and many species endemic to the Sahara 5 species of amphibians and reptiles, including the strict endemic Bongersma’s frog Bufo brongersmai, the Maghreb’s cobra Naja haje legionis and the uromastyx Uromastyx acanthinurus acanthinurus Biodiveristy here not well known Undelimitated Government forestry land Transition vegetation mostly, including thuya with land use rights by Tetraclinis articulata and termes oak Quercus nomadic shepherds coccifera, green oak Q. rotundifolia, and alfa steppe Stipa tenacissima No legal status for SIBE at present Large man-made plantations of Aleppo pine Pinus halepensis Dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas and the houbara bustard Chlamydotis undulata still found on site
Forest clearing for culture extension threatens the lower areas (Quercus pyrenaicus) Impact by browsing by goats (95% of all livestock) needs to be assessed
Establishment of a management plan Control of clearing Establishment of managed fodder utilization and browse
Overgrazing and browsing depletes the alfa cover and threatens the juniper forest regeneration Juniper trees cut down for firewood Hunting (poaching) is prevalent, especially on gazelles
Preparation of management plan Zoning and conservation of key areas Reintroduction and reinforcement of key animal species Participatory activities with local populations, Potential for tourism Consideration of upgrade to s National Park
Overutilization of the pasture threatens the alfa steppe and the regeneration of the forests Ecosystem is heavily degraded
Preparation of management plan Zoning and conservation of key areas Participatory activities with local populations, Program of pasture management
Protected Area Range
Size (ha) 31,000
Population 14,800
Biological Importance/GEF Justification
Current Status
Main Threats
AL HOCEIMA NATIONAL PARK
Lagune de Khnifiss (SIBE)
2060,000
No village, but mining town of 10,000 is planned if mining starts
DREF - NORTH EAST Semi-arid to arid mediterranean bioclimatic zone National Park covered by a matorral of Berber thuya Tetraclinis IUCN Reserve: III, VIII aticulata and alfa Stipa tenacissima Undelimitated Although status of mammals, reptiles and Government forestry land amphibians is not known, birdlife is varied and with land use rights by of utmost importance: two of the most nomadic shepherds endangered mediterranean fauna, the osprey No legal status for SIBE Pandion haliaetus and the Audoin’s gull Larus at present audouinii, nest in the park Peregrine falcon Falco pergrinus brookei, imperial eagle Aquila heliaca, Bonelli’s eagle Hiraetus fasciatus and red-billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax are also found there Marine life of international importance: monk seal Monachus monachus, and several species of dolphin and sea turtles frequent these waters Major fish breeding grounds, including the grouper Epinephelus guaza, a rare species One of the most exceptional sites in Morocco for Ramsar site biodiversity due to varied ecosystems Undelimitated Vegetative diversity is high, and many species Government forestry and are strict endemic, both terrestrial and aquatic non-forestry land, with ones: Zostera noltii, Inula lozanoi, Limonium land use rights. asperrimum, or Limoniastrum weygandiorum The SIBE has no legal 2 of the 6 strict endemic mammals of Morocco status at the moment are found here: the gerbil Gerbillus occiduus and the shrew Crocidura tarfayensis and 25 other mammals species are found here Major breeding and/or wintering sites for several bird species (179 species, of which 56 breeders reside there): slender-billed gull Larus genei, Audouin’s gull Larus audouinii, Pierregarin stern Sterna hirundo, and crested cormorant Phalacrocorax aristotelis 17 amphibians and reptiles are found here, including 2 Moroccan endemics: the Bongersma’s frog Bufo brongersmai, and the Bohme’s gecko Tarentola boehmi Snail Theba chaudeaui is only found here, and aquatic invertebrates include 18 Polychetae, 74 Crustaceae and 50 Molluscae
Intensive fishing may deplete breeding stock Illegal techniques (e.g., dynamite, trawl nets near coast) disturb breeding grounds of fish and birds Uncontrolled tourism, urbanization and growing pollution threaten the coast Erosion due to rock and sand extraction at several sites Unsustainable collection rates of natural resources Overgrazing 4,000 ha hunting grounds in the proposed park
Protection and restoration of the habitat, especially the Berber thuya Tetraclinis aticulata and green oak Quercus rotundifolia ecosystems Clean-up of illegal garbage dumps Conservation of marine ecosystems and species Development of a controlled tourist development program Sustainable management and use of resources by local populations and development of substitution activities
Rapid, uncontrolled tourism and touristic infrastructures developing nearby. Entry but not activities within the area is controlled Exploitable bituminous schists exist (unexploited at the moment, but experimental activities have been conducted) Salt exploitation in the sebkhas Fishing in the lagoon or along the beaches
Preparation of a management plan Delimitation, zoning and conservation of the key areas. Coordination with the other SIBEs of the Drâa valley and along the Atlantic coast (frequent interactions) Participatory activities with local populations to control the use and limit the negative impact of exploitation. Control of mining
o:\mor\gef\pam\pcd1197\anxa November 18, 1997 10:48:14 AM