Unveiling floristic diversity in the High Atlas: Insights from a protected reserve in a global Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot

Abstract

Plant species represent a hierarchical expression of vegetation, influenced by various environmental factors. With the growing awareness of the importance of ecological restoration and conservation, there is an increasing need to study and understand flora, its species composition, and its distribution to facilitate preservation and conservation efforts. This study aimed to investigate the floristic composition, plant diversity, and provide a comprehensive phyto-ecological analysis of the Amassine Reserve within the Toubkal National Park in Morocco. To achieve this, quantitative ecological techniques were employed to sample vegetation. In total, 154 phyto-ecological surveys were conducted, recording 116 vascular plant species, which belong to 101 genera and 40 different families. Asteraceae represented 16.2% of the species, followed by Lamiaceae and Leguminosae, each represent 7.7% of the total flora. The phytoecological analysis combined with principal correspondence analysis of the floristic composition revealed four distinct plant formations: Franken iaceae , newly characterized shrub stands of saline areas, Tetraclinaie , Juniperaie, and holm o ak plant stand. Each of these plant formations is described by its geographical distribution, its floristic composition and its ecological conditions. This study pr o vides crucial baseline data of the flora of this area. The findings offer a valuable resource for stakeholders involved in decision-making and the development of effective conservation strategies for this protected area.