Exploitation of plants from upstream of the Sebou-wadi watershed (province of Taounate, North of Morocco)

Abstract

Plants have a crucial role in the economy of subsistence of the farming and semi-urban areas of Morocco (food, traditional medicine, handicraft, etc.). In other respects, the integrated management of water resources interferes with the phyto-diversity conservation (soil fixation, bio-indicators of water quality, etc.). One of the approaches to highlight the "phyto-diversity/water management" comprises an assessment of plants exploitation by the riparian population. Based on land studies and prospecting in upstream of the Sebou-wadi watershed (province of Taounate, North of Morocco), we have identified more of 129 plant species and subspecies used in food (60%) and/or in traditional medicine (52%). The financial income of the marketed plants is very variable [667 MAD.ha־¹.year־¹ (Pisum sativum) – 114,133 MAD.ha־¹.year־¹ (Capparis spinosa); MAD = Moroccan Dirham], with a total average of 16,464.80 MAD.ha־¹.year־¹. Capparis spinosa and Olea europaea have casually a significant economic importance. The current plants exploitation would have negative repercussions on superficial waters.