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Traditional Sustainable Harvesting Knowledge and Distribution of a Vulnerable Wild Medicinal Root (A. pyrethrum var. pyrethrum) in Ait M’hamed Valley, Morocco

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Abstract

This study examined traditional harvesting knowledge and practices, paired with field-based assessment of distribution of a vulnerable wild medicinal root, Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum, in southern Morocco. Research included focus groups, qualitative interviews, and a survey of 38 collectors. Based on local knowledge, replanting trials were conducted and transects and plot-based assessments were used to examine distribution.

Local collectors reported significant declines in A. pyrethrum var. pyrethrum populations, driven by poaching and premature (either before the root has become large enough or before the season of seed dispersal) harvesting in sites that cannot be protected from poaching, as well as grazing and tilling. Thirty sites, totaling approximately 30% of the region, were surveyed: A. pyrethrum var. pyrethrum was identified in only nine. In five sites, plot transects were used to determine plant density, revealing that plant density and the number of flowers and fruit per plant were significantly higher closest to habitation.

This research contributes to the understanding and evaluation of the causes of over harvesting and factors that could help to protect this vulnerable species. We believe that there is significant room to build on local collector’s knowledge of harvesting and management of this important natural resource, with potential benefits for both local livelihoods and local ecosystems.

Cette étude a examiné les connaissances et les pratiques traditionnelles de collecte, associées à une évaluation de la distribution en fonction du milieu, d’une racine médicinale spontanée et vulnérable d’Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum dans le sud du Maroc. L’étude a porté sur des groupes de discussion, des entrevues qualitatives et une enquête auprès de 38 collecteurs. En se basant sur les connaissances locales, nous avons effectué des essais de replantation et nous avons utilisé des transects et des évaluations fondées sur des parcelles pour examiner la distribution de l’espèce. Les collecteurs locaux ont signalé une réduction significative des populations d’A. pyrethrum var. pyrethrum, engendrée essentiellement par le braconnage et la collecte prématurée (soit avant que la racine soit suffisamment grande, soit avant la saison de dispersion des graines), dans les sites qui ne peuvent pas être protégés contre ce braconnage et aussi contre le pâturage et le labourage. Sur trente sites prospectés, représentant 30% de la région, l’A. pyrethrum var. pyrethrum a été trouvé dans uniquement neuf. Dans cinq sites, nous avons utilisé des transects pour déterminer la densité de l’espèce, ce qui a révélé que cette densité et le nombre de fleurs et de fruits par plante étaient significativement plus élevés dans les endroits les plus proches des habitations. Cette recherche contribue à la compréhension et à l’évaluation des causes de la surexploitation et des facteurs qui pourraient aider à protéger cette espèce vulnérable. Nous croyons qu’il est. tout à fait possible de tirer parti des connaissances des collecteurs locaux.

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Acknowledgements

We want to express our gratitude to Ait M’hamed communities who engaged in discussions on harvest and conservation issues of A. pyrethrum var. pyrethrum, enabling us to develop ideas that are reflected in this manuscript. We wish to thank Mr. Ibrahim Otakblit, Mr. Hassan Otakblit, and Mr. Ben Ali for their support, thoughts, and guidance. We also thank Dr. Mohamed Ibn Tattou and Dr. Mohamed Fennane from the National Institute of Research in Rabat, as well as Rachel Kaleta, Nancy Turner, and Robert Voeks for commenting on earlier drafts of this work. Financial support for this research was provided by a SRL-MENA grant from the Swedish Research Council, the Darwin Initiative, and the Global Diversity Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Abderrahim Ouarghidi

  2. Global Diversity Foundation, Marrakech, Morocco

    Abderrahim Ouarghidi & Gary J. Martin

  3. University of Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Abderrahim Ouarghidi & Abdelaziz Abbad

  4. Department of Geography and African Studies Program, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Bronwen Powell

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  1. Abderrahim Ouarghidi
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Correspondence to Abderrahim Ouarghidi.

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Ouarghidi, A., Powell, B., Martin, G.J. et al. Traditional Sustainable Harvesting Knowledge and Distribution of a Vulnerable Wild Medicinal Root (A. pyrethrum var. pyrethrum) in Ait M’hamed Valley, Morocco. Econ Bot 71, 83–95 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-017-9374-2

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