Sacred Tree Sites as Cultural and Natural Heritage: Distribution Patterns and Environmental Significance in Northern Morocco

Sacred Tree Sites (STS) represent a unique form of natural and cultural heritage in northern Morocco. These sites are distinguished by the richness and quality of their vegetation cover compared to their non-sacred surroundings. This ecological uniqueness is mainly due to the religious value of these sites within local communities. This study aims to catalog and analyze the spatial distribution of sacred tree sites in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, and to explore the influence of natural factors such as altitude, soil type, climate, and slope orientation. The research is based on the analysis of topographical maps at scales of 1:25,000 and 1:50,000, as well as fieldwork carried out on a systematically selected sample. The results revealed the presence of 1,329 sacred tree sites, unevenly distributed across the region. Most of them are concentrated in areas of medium altitude (200–1400 m), on north- and west-facing slopes, and in areas with erosion-resistant soils. Climatically, these localities are mainly found in thermally and pluviometrically moderate areas. Field observations also indicate the presence of various tree structures around many of these sites, even in areas heavily affected by human activity. Despite their ecological and cultural importance, sacred tree sites are almost absent from Morocco's environmental policy and legal framework.