Morocco - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Benefiting from various types of ecosystems, Morocco is home to species that have disappeared from other parts of the world, such as the Mediterranean monk seal, the bald ibis, and the argan tree. Arthropods dominate Morocco’s fauna and constitute 73% of inventoried species, but 40.5% of them are threatened. Other threatened species include the lion, the gazelle, the ostrich, and the mouflon... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

There are 10 National Parks (Toubkal, Tazekka, Sous Massa, Al Hoceima, Talassametane, Ifrane, Haut Atlas Oriental, Bas Draa, Dakhla and Khnéfisse) whose surface is of 2.649.560 of hectares. There is also a network of 160 sites of biologic and ecological interest (SIBE), created as a result of the Study of Protected Areas of Morocco, whose surface is of 1... More »

Percentage of Forest Cover

The forests of Morocco (including the Alfa steppes) cover some 9 million hectares (9.077.195 ha), which represents about 8% of the national territory.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The strategy comprises five strategic objectives: (1) rational management and sustainable use of biological resources (in-situ and ex-situ conservation, participatory approach, monitoring, restoration, etc.); (2) improved knowledge on biodiversity (scientific research, training, information management, etc.); (3) awareness raising and education (awareness programmes adapted to the general public and students, training for future awareness raisers); (4) legislation and institutions (capacity building, harmonizing Morocco’s international engagements with its national legislations, etc... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

The preservation of genetic resources is one of the country’s priorities. The creation of seed and gene banks, the establishment of fishing restrictions, and the implementation of reforestation plans are some of the initiatives that are currently underway. Measures of in-situ and ex-situ conservation have been elaborated (the departments of agriculture and fisheries, among others, are said to be active in this area)... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Morocco has just created a new national park, Khnéfisse, whose surface is of 180.000 hectares and a new Biosphere reserve (MAB) between Morocco and Spain whose surface is of 1.000.000 ha. Also, 20 humid zones were registered on the Ramsar list. Created by decree in regions naturally attractive either biologically, scientifically, socially or in terms of tourism, national parks must be maintained in their initial and preserved state against all forms of negative effects... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

The majority of conservation and sustainable use projects involve local communities and take traditional knowledge into consideration. When these communities are regrouped, in associations for example, they can fully realize the project themselves. Furthermore, workshops on Morocco’s biodiversity strategy have been organized... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mme. Latifa Lakfifi	CBD Primary NFP
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Loulichki	CBD Secondary NFP
Dr. Mostafa Madbouhi	CHM NFP, CHM Informal Advisory Committee, ICNP ABS NFP (ONLY)
Prof. Mohamed Menioui	GTI NFP
Mohamed Fennane	GSPC NFP
M. Mohammed Ribi	Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Dr. Mostafa Madbouhi

Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP