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Characterization and dynamics of agroforestry landscape using geospatial techniques and field survey: a case study in central High-Atlas (Morocco)

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Abstract

Agroforestry has emerged as a pertinent answer to the challenges of modern agriculture. Agroforestry landscapes characterization allows to conduct a management policy of rural and mountain landscapes and to produce economical, environmental and social benefits. Due to its geographical location and its natural potential, the rural Agoudi N’Lkhir Municipality has very rich and diversified agroforestry assets: arboriculture and considerable forestry resources. However, these agroforestry landscapes are subject to accelerated degradation due to anthropogenic and natural factors are causing the weakening of the natural environment. The purpose of our study is to determine the agroforestry landscapes characteristics of Agoudi N’Lkhir rural municipality, the dynamics of these agroforestry landscapes and responsible partners for the management of these landscapes. The methodology of this study uses the synergy between several techniques: geographical information system (GIS), field survey, processing and analyzing remote sensing images data, and finally the use of landscaped and agroforestry diagnosis. The results showed that the forest of the municipality decreased strongly in the order of 36 % in 35 years (1973–2008). The most of agriculture and livestock are traditional (Bour) and should undergo an appropriate development. The paper highlights policy and efforts to do for developing the rural mountainous agroforestry landscapes of Agoudi N’Lkhir Municipality and identifies entry points for success agroforestry adoption. To improve the current situation of agroforestry system, the different managers of this space must meet, discuss and consult with all stakeholders to launch together, in a perspective of sustainable development and management actions of this territory.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to M. DOUMAR, director of the working centre of Azilal (PDA) for providing the agricultural data and A. REGRAGUI the representative of the High Commission for Water, Forests and Combating Desertification of Azilal (HCWFCD) for providing the forest data. Likewise, we acknowledge the President and the Qu’aïd of the Agoudi N’Lkhir Municipality for their support during the fieldwork surveys and interviews. Finally, we are grateful to A. N. TAÏBI and M. EL HANNANI Teachers in the geology department of the Faculty of Science, University of Angers, France, for providing us the SPOT-5 image.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Team of Geotourism and Desertic Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University of Rabat, P.O. Box 1014 RP, Rabat, Morocco

    H. Bouzekraoui & M. El Youssi

  2. Research Group of Landscapes Dynamic, Risks and Patrimony, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, P.O. Box 523, Beni-Mellal, Morocco

    Y. El Khalki

  3. Laboratory of Biology Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, P.O. Box 523, Beni-Mellal, Morocco

    A. Mouaddine

  4. Team of Remote Sensing and GIS Applied to the Geosciences and the Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, P.O. Box 523, Beni-Mellal, Morocco

    R. Lhissou

  5. Georessources and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, P.O. Box 523, Beni-Mellal, Morocco

    H. Bouzekraoui & A. Barakat

Authors
  1. H. Bouzekraoui
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  2. Y. El Khalki
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  3. A. Mouaddine
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  4. R. Lhissou
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  5. M. El Youssi
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  6. A. Barakat
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Barakat.

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Bouzekraoui, H., El Khalki, Y., Mouaddine, A. et al. Characterization and dynamics of agroforestry landscape using geospatial techniques and field survey: a case study in central High-Atlas (Morocco). Agroforest Syst 90, 965–978 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-015-9877-8

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