Towards sustainable management of medicinal and aromatic plants in Morocco: Typology and priority actions

Threats from overharvesting, habitat degradation, and climate change have made the sustainable management of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in Morocco increasingly important. These species are essential in traditional medicine, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of local communities. In response, the Moroccan government has expanded its network of protected areas, enacted new laws, and made international commitments to improve its institutional and legal frameworks. The study focused on 20 MAPs and used 22 interviews from 12 stakeholder organizations—86.4% of which are in the public sector—to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives. According to the findings, 75% of the taxa require conservation actions, while the remaining 25% need measures aimed at enhancing knowledge. Typifying these actions enables to develop specific measures that are adapted to the specific needs of each species. The results highlight the importance of a coordinated approach involving several actors in order to protect ecosystems and traditional knowledge.