Floristic diversity and ecological characteristics of weeds in irrigated agro-system with a Mediterranean climate

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Doi: 10.1007/s42535-024-00834-2
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Keywords: Chorological characteristics, Ecology of weeds, Life forms, Phytodiversity, Flora


Abstract


Over the past century, rapid development, anthropogenic impacts, and chemical weed control have driven the transformation of agricultural systems in arid and semi-arid areas. However, comprehensive research remains scarce on the phytodiversity and ecology of weed flora within these regions, specifically in agroecosystems like Moroccos irrigated Doukkala plain belonging to the Mediterranean area. In light of this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to investigate and characterize weeds floristic diversity and ecological attributes within the Doukkala plain agroecosystem. To achieve this, a stratified-random vegetation sampling method was employed. The study encompassed a total of 197 sites, serving as representatives of weed species found in the area. Through the study, a noteworthy assemblage of 125 species, originating from 81 different genera and 30 distinct families, was documented. Among the families, Asteraceae exhibited dominance with 27 species (21.60%), closely followed by Poaceae and Fabaceae, each comprising 12 species (9.60%). In terms of life forms, therophytes (Th) constituted the largest group, accounting for 95 species (76.00%), followed by hemicryptophytes at 15.20% and geophytes at 8.00%. The analysis further unveiled annuals as the most prevalent plant type, with 97 species (77.60%), followed by perennials with 22 species (17.6%) and biennials with six species (4.8%). Additionally, the chronology analysis emphasized the predominance of the Mediterranean element. This research not only fills the knowledge gap regarding weed species diversity and distribution in the Doukkala plain agroecosystem but also holds potential significance in biodiversity preservation and as a foundation for the environmentally-conscious management of such Mediterranean agroecosystems.


Chorological characteristics, Ecology of weeds, Life forms, Phytodiversity, Flora


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Acknowledgements


This research was supported by the University Chouaib Doukkali El Jadida (Morocco). We express our gratitude to Marilyn Lewis “Honorary Research Fellow, The University of Auckland in New Zealand”, for her help in improving this manuscript’s comments and suggestions for language corrections.


Author Information


Eljebri Said
Team of Ecology and Valorization of Natural Substances, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
Eljebri.said@gmail.com
Bouskout Mohammed
Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnologies, AgroSciences and Environment, Labeled Research Unit-CNRST No 4, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco


Ouahmane Lahcen
Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnologies, AgroSciences and Environment, Labeled Research Unit-CNRST No 4, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco


Abdelmajid Zouahri
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National Institute for Agricultural Research, Rabat, Morocco


Rachid Tellal
Team of Ecology and Valorization of Natural Substances, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco