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The protection of the Moroccan Argan : an advance in research, supported by Mazars

In the framework of its social and environmental responsibility policy (Partnership Social Responsibility), Mazars is helping those programmes which reflect its values, including, respect for the environment, support for cultural and social diversity and entrepreneurship. The company is encouraging the work of a Ph.D. student at the Sorbonne, Mbark Aouragh, by offering a scholarship which has allowed him to concentrate on his thesis on Morocco’s cultural heritage. His work is titled ‘The Moroccan Argan tree , a forest heritage in danger: customs, practices and risks of damage’. Within a few months of the start of his work in June 2009, the young researcher presented us with his findings.

It is hoped that Mbark Aouragh will reach a conclusion sometime between now and the end of 2010 and be able to provide us with suggestions on how to control the destruction of the Moroccan Argan tree and its impact on Morocco’s population and economy. Aouragh will attend several university conferences between May and October 2010 in order to share his findings. Out of the important conferences of the year, Aouragh will be attending the 2010 International Geography Festival in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges. The themes that will be covered are: ‘The forest, man’s green gold? Management, protection and sustainable exploitation’; ‘The pattern of the risks of damage to the Argan tree in South-west Morocco: SIG (‘Système d’Information Géographique’)² and remote detections’ contribution’; and ‘the Moroccan Argan tree¹, a forest heritage in danger: customs, practices and risks of deterioration’.

These works underline the critical situation of exploiting Argan trees in Morocco. Aouragh analyzes existing studies on the destruction of the natural environment. He quotes: “Unfortunately, the majority of these studies do not accurately reflect the Argan tree situation in Morocco. They do not contain precise references that allow for a more objective evaluation of the degree of damage stated in the reports. The information is often pessimistic and based on divergent considerations which prevent the writing of an objective report of the current situation of the Argan tree.” (AOURAGH, 2009)

In order to understand the different factors that have caused the damage of this forest heritage, Aouragh has opted for a more original methodology based on two approaches:

  • Cartography, setting up of a database ‘SIG’², the establishment of a pattern of damage risks and the creation of thematic maps for land occupation.
  • Remote detection³ (satellite images treated with different resolutions, SPOT-LANDSAT, MSS, aerial photographs).

It is a particularly special way of analyzing and understanding space, territories and landscapes and allows for a spatiotemporal interpretation. As a result, a precise evaluation can be made of the evolution of the Argan tree situation which ultimately enables the identification of the different spatiotemporal transformations that have affected the landscape.

The first studies show that in no less than half a century the average density per hectare fell from 100 to 30 trees and that the surface area continues to regress by about 600 hectares per year.
This decline is not only harmful to the ecology and the economy, but also to Moroccan culture and history.

The main protagonists of the Argan oil market (intended for the food and cosmetic industries as well as a protagonist for biodiversity and symbol of history) are women. They are one of the first targets of the tree’s deterioration as they are involved in the whole value chain of the Argan tree’s exploitation.

1. Argan tree forest, endemic trees of Southern Morocco that produce Argan oil.
2. ‘Système d’information géographique’ (Geographical information system)
3. Remote detection is “the collection of knowledge and techniques used to determine the physical and biological characteristics of objects by measures carried out at a distance without contact material." (official government register of 11th December 1980).

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