MOROCCO-CEDAR TREES Morocco's cedars threatened by climate change

Record ID: 150781

  • Title: MOROCCO-CEDAR TREES Morocco's cedars threatened by climate change
  • Date: 9th June 2015
  • Summary: AZROU, MOROCCO (JUNE 4, 2015) (REUTERS) A MOUNTAIN SLOPE COVERED WITH CEDAR TREES A SIGN (Arabic and French) THAT READS: "IFRANE NATIONAL PARK" VARIOUS OF CEDAR FOREST RABAT, MOROCCO (JUNE 4, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF HIGH COMMISSION FOR WATER, FORESTS AND ANTI-DESERTIFICATION SIGN (Arabic) THAT READS "THE HIGH COMMISSION FOR WATER, FORESTS AND ANTI- DESERTIFICATION" HIG
  • Embargoed: 24th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Morocco
  • Country: Morocco
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVABNKUCZM3IMF4J4D0JFV026KH7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Cedar trees native to Morocco are in decline as illegal logging, over grazing and climate change are threatening the growth of this particular species.
    Cedar forests cover thousands of hectares of Atlas mountains and now the Moroccan government is working to protect these ancient trees.
    Abdeladim El Hafi, the High Commissioner for Water, Forests and Anti-desertification said plans are in place to tackle the risks of climate change.
    "By 2100, it is expected that there will be radical changes both in temperature and in rainfall which imposes on us to have a reorganization of the environmental system for cedar trees that would have change completely. When we know that cedar trees could not be exploited before the age of 200 years, we have to take into account the ecological time. That is what we do to face this problematic situation and that is why all what we plant now takes into account the climate changes that will happen in one hundred years," said El Hafi.
    Experts estimate that there's already been a decline by 75 percent in this area due to logging.
    Cedar trees, also known as Cedrus Atlantica, have been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, an international organisation that has been monitoring endangered species for the past 50 years.
    One of the cedars here is named after World War 1 French General Henri Gouraud, who was stationed in Morocco.
    The tree died in 2003. But it continues to be one the main attractions in the area.
    The Middle Atlas is also inhabited by local monkeys, the Barbary ape.
    Barbary monkeys, also pose a risk to the tree's life by chewing on bark and nibbling small branches that sprout form the cedars, stunting their growth.
    Many people, like deputy chairman of Gouraud Cedar Association of mineral stones, Mohamed Ouchane , believe that a group effort is needed to preserve the forest.
    "Our objective is to develop the region and preserve the environment. We wish that those who work in the tourism sector could preserve the cleanliness of this spot," Ouchane said.
    Overgrazing by cattle also takes its toll on the ecosystem.
    It is estimated that between 800,000 and 1,000,000 animals are bred in the area.
    While grazing is strictly prohibited in some parts of the park alongside hunting, shepherds are allowed to use the open spaces to allow their animals to feed.
    Some shepherds are aware of the need to protect this habitat.
    "We should preserve it. Any citizen who comes to the forest should preserve it. It is the same for the local inhabitants. When we were born, it was there and this is why we should keep it as if it is our mother or father. We should preserver it regardless if we are old or young," said a shepherd, Samir Khouya Ali.
    Despite the threats facing the Cedar trees, there are positive signs of recovery, said Abderrahim Derrou, director of the Ifrane National Park.
    "At the start, we had assisted regeneration but now, we are witnessing a natural regeneration that is taking place. This is our main objective which is to save the Middle Atlas mountain cedar," Derrou said.
    In 2004, the Ifrane National Park was created as a project to protect and conserve thousands of hectares of trees.
    Cedar trees can reach over 50 meters in height, while the diameter of their trunks can grow to eight metres. It's most striking feature is its lifespan with some of the trees living for up to 800 years.
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