Traditional knowledge and use value for sustainability: “Castanea sativa Mill.’ as a model of socio-economic recovery in northern Morocco

Abstract Overtime, local communities across the world, have largely contributed to the creation of landscape units with great socioeconomic, cultural, and ecological interests. Traditional agroecosystems are an example of these landscape units, that constitute an important refuge for genetic resources and traditional agricultural practices. Chestnut agroecosystems are not an exception. It represents the example of an agroforestry system with great socio-economic and ecological potential for rural communities. In Morocco, C. sativa is one of the neglected species that has never been studied. This paper aims, on one hand, to identify, localize and analyze the populations of chestnut trees in northern Morocco. On the other hand, to highlight its traditional techniques and practices and the assessment of its socioeconomic contribution. With the scarcity of documentation and data, the study concerned 3588 chestnut trees identified in 30 villages belonging to three regions in northern Morocco. The results of surveys carried out among 389 farmers, who unanimously confirmed the aging of the trees, with a very variable spatial distribution. Surveys carried out in different seasons have revealed a wide range of implemented techniques and knowledge to ensure conservation and the sustainability of chestnut trees. For farmers, the sale of chestnuts in local markets generates additional income, but beyond its subsistence role, chestnut tree has cognitive and identity connotations. The applied management method, the diversity of the techniques and practices dedicated to this tree as well as the significant contribution of its fruit to the local economy, testify its socio-economic importance beyond its ecological role.