Floristic Potential of El Harcha Forest (Central Plateau, Morocco)

The El Harcha forest is part of the vast Atlantic cork oak ecosystem, spanning the slopes that connect Morocco's coastal plains to its central meseta.With an elevational range of 360 to 1,100 m, this forest hosts significant biodiversity.This study aimed to conduct an updated floristic inventory of this ecosystem, which is currently facing substantial degradation.We performed systematic floristic surveys along an altitudinal gradient.Our findings have documented 129 vascular plant species, distributed across 88 genera and 37 families.The Asteraceae was the most dominant family, representing 21% of the flora (27 taxa), followed by Fabaceae (13%), and Poaceae and Cistaceae (6% each).We recorded several species with high conservation value, including seven Moroccan endemics (e.g., Teucrium decipiens and Genista quadriflora), one vulnerable species (Evax pygmea), and two near-threatened species (Briza maxima and Prunus avium).However, the prevalence of ruderal species and a high disturbance index (62%) suggest significant anthropogenic pressure.Despite its ecological importance as a biodiversity reservoir, the forest shows signs of decline due to uncontrolled harvesting and other human impacts.Our results show the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies to protect and preserve this unique forest habitat.