The Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve is one of the many protected natural areas of Morocco. In this case, since 1998 and by decision of UNESCO, thus trying to preserve not only the environmental values but also the harmonious integration of the populations in it. In this post we ask what makes this reserve interesting from the point of view of ecological, ethnographic and natural tourism.
What is the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve and what does it include?
The Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve is located in southern Morocco and covers a very large area: the protected territory comprises an area of about 2.5 million hectares. That includes about 350 km of Atlantic coastline, reaching more than 300 km inland at its widest part.
This protected area includes transition and buffer zones to effectively protect the core zones, where natural values are especially significant and delicate. These core zones are located in the vicinity of Agadir, Sidi Ifni or Tafraoute, among other important towns. In addition, other cities such as Essaouira or Taroudant are also within this area delimited by UNESCO.
Within this vast area are also other protected natural areas with other figures, such as the Souss-Massa National Park, or the southwestern foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
What is in this protected space
As its name suggests, the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve was created to protect the argan, that is, the plant species Argania spinose, and the biome where it develops: the Mediterranean dry forest and succulent scrub of acacias and ergens.
Argan is one of the ‘national’ trees of Morocco, a symbol of the country because it is native and because its groves have been promoted since time immemorial for the gastronomic, cosmetic and medicinal uses of its oil.
In addition, other very characteristic species arise associated with the argan grove, such as the dragon tree, a characteristic tree of these latitudes that is also present in the Canary Islands. Or different species of succulents, capable of storing large amounts of water inside to ensure their survival in such a dry and warm environment.
With regard to fauna, the argan grove of this biosphere reserve is also the perfect habitat for the hermit ibis, which is in danger of extinction. In addition, the goat livestock finds in its branches an appreciated forage, which puts to the test its climbing and balancing skills.
Balance and example of climate change
But as we said, UNESCO not only takes into account the natural values of this place for its protection, but also the harmonious integration of human populations. And the best example of this is the agdal system, a seasonal prohibition of access to certain areas to avoid excessive grazing and ensure its sustainability, favoring the natural regeneration of groves and their resources.
Its interest lies in its antiquity and tradition: it is a system implemented by the communities Amazigh (Berber) since time immemorial, which gives an account of their popular wisdom and their commitment to the sustainability of the environment that provides them with natural resources. In addition, there are numerous cooperatives, mainly formed by women, which are responsible for the extraction and processing of argan oil, which they continue to put into practice with traditional techniques that respect these groves.
That is why, within the research objectives that the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve also has, it is studied and worked on the ground in search of lessons about adaptation to climate change, as well as local economic development.
