Relationship between species composition and growth environment in the arid zone of southwest Morocco

Wild plants growing in arid environments are attracting attention as they are a new pool of resources. However, there is a concern that the rate of desertification will increase due to excessive use of plant resources in arid environments. The aim of this study was to show the distribution of wild plants and examine the management and utilization of plant resources in southwest Morocco. The intention is to use the results of this study to devise a plant resource use plan that considers regional characteristics. According to the results, the plant species Argania spinosa and Artemisia herba-alba dominate in southwest Morocco, with one of these species dominating at low elevations and the other dominating at high elevations (above approximately 1000 m.a.s.l.). Since these plants are the dominant species in the region, the risk of losing these species due to resource utilization is relatively low. On the other hand, other plant species in the region are much less abundant, so it is important to consider the conservation—including the sustainability—of those species if they are to be used as resources.