Morocco - Overview

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

Moroccan biodiversity includes more than 24,000 animal species and 7,000 vegetal species, with rates of endemism particularly high among Mediterranean countries (20% for vascular plants, 11% for fauna). Forest and marine ecosystems are especially rich. Globally, Morocco ranks among the countries with the highest levels of fish diversity... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

Threats to biological diversity in Morocco stem mostly from human activities, economic development and population growth. They include sand mining, water pumping, habitat transformation (notably due to droughts), overexploitation of resources, pollution (for example, salinization affects around 16% of irrigated lands), erosion (which concerns 25% of irrigation canals in the Drâa Valley) and the introduction of invasive species... More »

Implementation of the NBSAP

The NBSAP (2004) features 269 actions and strategic priorities for biodiversity conservation aimed at strengthening biodiversity knowledge, coordination among different actors, the Biodiversity Committee, international cooperation and the legal framework. Although the NBSAP has not been completely implemented in the country, the CBD philosophy has remained one of the strategic axes of numerous sectoral programs, notably CEPA activities, protected areas, species recovery and conservation programs, participation of local populations in natural resource management... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

The strategic objectives of the Department of Forestry to 2014 address the multifunctions of forest ecosystems, notably through the development of protected areas. Since the Rio Summit in 1992, 154 sites of biological and ecological interest have been identified, covering approximately 2.5 million ha of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems and humid zones... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

Morocco is engaged in processes at the international level for achieving sustainable development. The country has affirmed its intention to actively work towards better environmental management through the ratification of international environmental agreements. The national legal framework has been strengthened and several laws and regulatory texts adopted (e.g... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

Morocco has developed some monitoring plans and indicators to follow the evolution of vulnerable species, notably in protected areas. Similarly, a set of 65 sustainable development indicators has been developed and maintained by the National Observatory for the Environment. In addition, Morocco launched a program for implementing 16 regional environmental observatories in 2009... More »