Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Strictly Endemic Taxa of Talassemtane National Park in Morocco

Talassemtane National Park (TNP), located in the Central-Western Rif of northwest Morocco, is a protected area renowned for its exceptional floristic diversity and a high level of endemism (24%). However, the unique richness of this flora faces significant threats, compounded by a lack of comprehensive data on its endemic species, increasing the risk of biodiversity loss. This study aims to enhance the understanding of the floristic diversity of strictly endemic taxa in the park and its surrounding areas, evaluating their presence and conservation status. The methodology used in this study involved field surveys and the mapping of distribution areas to identify and characterize the habitats of strict endemic taxa based on a set of ecological criteria. Spatial and cluster analysis was then applied to explore the relationships between these habitats. As a result, a list of 100 strictly endemic taxa in Talassemtane National Park and surrounding regions was compiled. Most of these taxa have not yet been assessed for their conservation status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The findings indicate that the majority of these taxa are found at higher elevations, above 1400 meters, particularly within the forests of Moroccan fir (Abies marocana Trabut) and holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia Lam.). The cluster analysis of ecological variables and the endemic taxa revealed three distinct groups of taxa with varying ecological preferences. The first group consists of 67 taxa that are largely unaffected by ecological variables, while the second and third groups, containing 33 and 38 taxa respectively, are more closely associated with specific environmental factors, indicating their reliance on particular habitat conditions. Cite this article as: Alaoui, A., Laaribya, S., & Ayan, S. (2025). Floristic diversity and conservation status of strictly endemic taxa of Talassemtane National Park in Morocco. Forestist, 75, 0001, doi: 10.5152/ forestist.2025.25001