The Mediterranean Mountain National Parks Conservation Issues and Sustainable Development Perspectives.
Context
The High Atlas, a major geographical feature of the Mediterranean Basin, is one of the eleven areas designated as Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots. It is characterized by high plant diversity, high rate of endemism and holds most of the Important Plant Areas (IPAs) of Morocco. Morocco has 10 national parks as protected forests areas, which represent most of the country's ecosystems and contains around 15% of the threatened species of the Mediterranean forests. These national parks also have a high potential for sustainable development, particularly in terms of ecotourism and the promotion of local products to enhance community livelihoods. The Toubkal National Park (TNP) is the first founded national park in the High Atlas Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots, in 1924. The TNP is in the heart of a future starry sky reserve"Atlas Dark Sky Reserve".
Therefore, in order (1) to establish an inventory of the research studies carried out in the TNP territory since its creation, (2) to allow the scientific community to share its experience and data, (3) to discuss and submit recommendations to the managers of this protected area, the Regional Directorate of Water and Forests and Fight Against Desertification of the High Atlas/Directorate of the Toubkal National Park and the Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech are organizing, from 8 to 10 December 2022, a scientific symposium under the theme "Mediterranean and Mountainous National Parks: Conservation and sustainable development perspectives".
Objectives
- Establishing an inventory of the research works carried out or in progress in the area of the
Toubkal National Park. - Identifying the research perspectives, management and valorisation of the Mediterranean National
Parks and gaps. - Exchanging experiences from other Mediterranean National Parks in terms of management of
biodiversity conservation and valorization of ecosystems and landscapes. - Developing new cooperation while strengthening existing partnerships.
Topics
General theme: Mediterranean mountain national parks: Conservation issues and perspectives of sustainable development.
Sub-themes:
- Biodiversity and Ecosystems
- Geodiversity and landscapes
- Material and immaterial cultural heritage
- Historical and sociological aspects: Human-National Park relationships
- Resource enhancement and sustainable development
- Resilience and adaptation to climate change
- Management and conservation
- Dark Sky Reserve
Call for communications
To register for the symposium, please fill the form here.
To submit the abstract for oral and poster communication, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Important dates
Deadline for abstract submission: September 15, 2022
Notification of abstract acceptance: October 15, 2022
Deadline for registration: October 30, 2022
Symposium Dates: December 8,9,10, 2022
Toubkal National Park visit: December 10, 2022
Co-organisers
- Cadi AYYAD University of Marrakech
- Regional Directorate of Water and Forests and Fight Against Desertification of the High Atlas/
Directorate of the Toubkal National Park (DREFLCD/HA / DPNT)- Marrakech
Contact : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cover image by Patrick Ogilvie.
