Diversity of avian species, their ecosystems and climate conditions in two zones of High Atlas (central Morocco) for ecotouristic purposes

Wakass, Salma; Mounir, Mohamed; Squalli, Wafae; Mansouri, Ismail; Dbiba, Youssef; Hmidani, Mohammed; Chellik, Soukaina; Douini, Ikram; Youssi, Mohammed El; Azzouzi, Mohammed; Ezaidi, Abdelkrim

doi:10.31893/jabb.23004

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Te authors have recorded 92 breeding birds in spring and summer in 2018 and 2019. Equally, Mansouri et al [77] and Wakass et al [78] documented 98 breeding species in the spring and summer seasons in the east of High Atlas near Midelt, which is only about 120 km from our study area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Large-Scale Monitoring of Bird Communities along an Altitudinal Gradient in Two Central High Atlas Valleys

Mounir,

Dakki,

Douini

et al. 2024

International Journal of Zoology

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Altitude is one of the determinant factors that influence the spatial distribution of birds and their species richness. However, few investigations studied its influence on African bird communities over a wide gradient in North Africa. Considering this knowledge gap, 194 sampling points were carried out along altitudinal gradient (773 to 2595 m) in two adjacent mountainous valleys in the Central High Atlas of Beni Mellal in Morocco, Aït Bouguemmaz (AB), and Ahançal (OA). Each valley was divided into three altitudinal intervals (low, medium, and high zones). For each spatial subdivision, we studied the phenological cycle, in the sense that each valley underwent a four-season monitoring, during 2018 and 2019. The results showed 131 species in the study area in 43 families; both valleys had similar community richness, but they differed by the phenological status of their species. Indeed, the increase in altitude led to a decrease in bird species richness, while it does not show any correlation with abundance. In addition, richness and abundance increased during the high-productivity seasons (i.e., spring and summer). Although these results were expected, they provide an opportunity to compare these results with higher latitude communities in Europe and to better focus future large-scale investigations on the combined influence of latitude and altitude on birds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Large-Scale Monitoring of Bird Communities along an Altitudinal Gradient in Two Central High Atlas Valleys

Mounir,

Dakki,

Douini

et al. 2024

International Journal of Zoology

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“…arenicola, with 23.57% of nests, and T. merula, with 20.95% of nests. Currently, (Mansouri et al 2021c;Wakass et al 2023) mention the presence of H. polyglotta as a breeder in the upper Moulouya and Eastern High Atlas (15 km to Upper Moulouya), while (Mounir et al 2022) record the breeding pairs of this small passerine in the Central High Atlas (150 km to the Upper Moulouya). However, none of these authors have recorded nests of this species in Morocco or North Africa.…”

Section: Discissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New data on the nesting sites selection and breeding success of three bird species in the riparian vegetation of Northwest African rivers

Hmidani,

Mansouri,

Squalli

et al. 2024

J. Anim. Behav. Biometeorol.

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Many avian species partition feeding and breeding resources to avoid competition for nesting and food elements. This competition frequently leads to the segregation of space and time use among cohabiting species. The breeding requirements of coexisting species and drivers of segregation are poorly understood in passerine birds. In this study, we monitored nesting habitats, nest placement, and breeding success among two passerine birds, Hippolais polyglotta and Turdus merula, and the Columbidae species Streptopelia turtur arenicola, in rivers of the upper Moulouya (Morocco) Mountains to examine the levels of habitat partitioning, success rates, and governing factors during the breeding season. We recorded the nests, nesting sites, nest placements, and success rates of the studied species along three rivers during 2017 and 2019. Our results revealed important breeding activity in the studied birds, with 420 nests of H. polyglotta and 88 nests of T. merula, compared to 99 nests of S. t. arenicola. Nest niches were segregated between passerines and Columbidae and within passerines. Nesting sites were segregated along sections of rivers except for nests of H. polyglotta, which were shared between upstream and intermediate zones. Nest substrates were partially segregated among the three species; nests of H. polyglotta and S. t. arenicola were commonly constructed on Crataegus monogyna and Rosa canina substrates, while nests of T. merula were on Salix sp. Similarly, vertical placements of nests were segregated among birds. Breeding success rates differed among birds (94.44% in T. merula, 87.88% in H. polyglotta, and 55.56% in S. t. arenicola) due to human and natural factors. Finally, this study confirmed the first breeding case of H. polyglotta on the southern slope of the Mediterranean and provided new insight into nest niches in cohabiting passerines and Columbidae species cobred in riparian vegetation in Morocco and the entire region of North Africa. However, future investigations are required to understand the main reasons behind the selection of nesting habitats for passerine species, particularly in farmlands.

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“…In Morocco, many studies have reported the ecological landscapes with potential ecotouristic activities. Wakass et al (2023bWakass et al ( , 2023a reported the existence of geosite structures with abundant animal species in Central and Eastern High Atlas. In El Ksiba belonging to Beni Mellal region (Central Morocco), a heritage of Travertine Waterfall Geosites was described for conservation purposes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to the physical landscapes, living organisms have received little interests in these areas. Wakass et al (2023b) mentioned the existence of 175 avian species including 20 birds with ecotouristic interests. These animal and vegetation species constitute with their ecosystems a unique unit that needs more interest in order to ensure its sustainability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Natural Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Socioeconomic and Infrastructures for Sustainable Tourism in the National Park of Tazekka in Taza Province (Morocco)

Chellik,

Dbiba,

Mansouri

et al. 2024

Ecol. Eng. Environ. Technol.

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This study aimed to explore the diversity of natural landscapes, faunae, florae, and touristic infrastructures in Taza province and their attractiveness to visitors. Equally, visitors and local populations were interviewed on the socioeconomic activities in the study area. Field visits were realized to delimit the ecosystems, road network, and infrastructures in Taza province. Transects were used to collect faunae and florae data, while a questionnaire was used to collect demographic features and socioeconomic activities in Tazekka National Park. The obtained results showed a high diversity of ecosystems, including forests, steppes, farmlands, and aquatic systems. The documented faunae and florae were diverse with 86 avian species and 16 mammalian species. Two birds Carduelis carduelis and Streptopelia turtur arenicola were classified as vulnerable, while Neophron percnopterus was classified as an endangered species. Two mammals Macaca sylvanus and Cervus elaphus barbarus were endangered. The road network was advanced with four types of roads (highway, national, regional, and provincial) and hotel infrastructures (hotels, restaurants, diesel stations) were diverse and well distributed in each corner of the area. The availability of natural resources and well-developed infrastructures are suggested to support sustainable activities, such as ecotourism, which are expected to add income to local populations. In fact, field interviews showed that the area, principally Tazekka National Park was visited by national and international tourists, which creates jobs for local residents. Equally, many other activities such as agriculture, pastoralism, transportation, and commerce were recorded among the inhabitants. Therefore, more advanced research is needed to characterize new ecosystems that deserve tourist visits as well as how to balance between human activities and the sustainability of natural resources.

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Diversity of avian species, their ecosystems and climate conditions in two zones of High Atlas (central Morocco) for ecotouristic purposes

Cited by 6 publications

References 39 publications

Large-Scale Monitoring of Bird Communities along an Altitudinal Gradient in Two Central High Atlas Valleys

Large-Scale Monitoring of Bird Communities along an Altitudinal Gradient in Two Central High Atlas Valleys

New data on the nesting sites selection and breeding success of three bird species in the riparian vegetation of Northwest African rivers

Characterization of Natural Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Socioeconomic and Infrastructures for Sustainable Tourism in the National Park of Tazekka in Taza Province (Morocco)

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