A proposed framework for participatory forest restoration in semiarid areas of North Africa

Derak, M. C., et al., 2018. Restoration Ecology

Original research (primary data)
View External Publication Link

Abstract

Ecological restoration is a suitable tool to revert land degradation in semiarid areas. Social participation is increasingly considered as a guarantee for the long-term success and sustainability of restoration projects. In rural areas of North African countries, experiences of participatory restoration are still not frequent, and poverty and illiteracy with top-down approaches boost land-use conflicts and raise skepticism toward restoration programs. We developed a framework for forest restoration based on knowledge share, trust, and active stakeholder participation in all restoration steps. The framework was tested through a demonstrative project aimed at restoring Tetraclinis articulata forests in a semiarid area of North Morocco, in which scientists, managers, and local stakeholders were involved in all steps of the restoration process: identification of restoration priorities, assessment of land-use options, definition of the restoration procedure, participatory plantation, evaluation, surveillance, and monitoring. In a 1 ha plot, 250 plants were planted by 90 participants in a spirit of knowledge exchange, mutual aid, environmental education, and social solidarity. After 2 years, the plot remains intact, free of any act of vandalism and grazing, and shows signals of improved ecosystem functioning. A wider application of the proposed framework in current restoration strategies will enhance our understanding of the factors behind social acceptance and support for restoration projects.

Case studies

Basic information

  • Case ID: INT-266-1
  • Intervention type: Restoration
  • Intervention description:

    "demonstrative project of Participatory Ecological Restoration of Béni Boufrah Forests (RESEP2B, 2013–2015). The workshop concluded by unanimously agreeing on a restoration action based on a partic- ipatory plantation of Tetraclinis and other woody species char- acteristic of the Tetraclinis woodlands in a demonstrative plot. Due to seedling stock constraints, only seedlings of Tetraclinis and Pistacia lentiscus L. were nally planted. a south-facing plot of 1 ha located downstream of the catchment (Fig. 2) and highly visible from Béni Boufrah main road. In the eld, participatory planting was carried out by 90 stake- holders (57 men and 33 women), including 55 students, 3 managers, 15 collaborators, and 17 direct users (with only one farmer living near the plot), under the guidance of per- sonnel from the six partners of the project."

  • Landscape/sea scape ecosystem management: No
  • Climate change impacts Effect of Nbs on CCI Effect measures
    Freshwater flooding  Positive Soil Erosion/Freshwater flooding: [positive] Same measures for both, not quantified but deduced from interviews and focus groups on stakeholder perceptions “Respondents also mentioned a wide range of ecosystem services provided by restored forest areas, including services linked to the most critical local problem: erosion and flood control.”
    Soil erosion  Positive Soil Erosion/Freshwater flooding: [positive] Same measures for both, not quantified but deduced from interviews and focus groups on stakeholder perceptions “Respondents also mentioned a wide range of ecosystem services provided by restored forest areas, including services linked to the most critical local problem: erosion and flood control.”
  • Approach implemented in the field: Yes
  • Specific location:

    Our work was conducted at Béni Boufrah area (34∘58′ –35∘10′N; 4∘14′ –4∘25′W), a 163 km2 valley located in Al Hoceima province (North Morocco)...a south-facing plot of 1 ha located downstream of the catchment (Fig. 2) and highly visible from Béni Boufrah main road.

  • Country: Morocco
  • Habitat/Biome type: Mediterranean shrubs and Forests |
  • Issue specific term: Not applicable

Evidence

  • Notes on intervention effectivness: Effectiveness from perceptions from stakeholders on effectiveness since the project started
  • Is the assessment original?: Yes
  • Broadtype of intervention considered: Not applicable
  • Compare effectivness?: No
  • Compared to the non-NBS approach: Not applicable
  • Report greenhouse gas mitigation?: No
  • Impacts on GHG: Not applicable
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on natural ecosystems: Yes
  • Impacts for the ecosystem: Positive
  • Ecosystem measures: "14 respondents chose active social involvement, integrity of the plot, and recovery of native veg- etation as the most relevant indicators of success." … "Recent measurements show an increase in cover and composition of spontaneous veg- etation. Seedling survival rate 18 months after planting is lower for Tetraclinis (60%) than for Pistacia (90%)."
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on people: Yes
  • Impacts for people: Positive
  • People measures: "conflict mitigation “we found various opportunities to build trust between stakeholder groups. Thus, the signature of the agree- ment between six project partners translates their will to over- come disagreements, to trust each other, and to work together for the purpose of conserving and restoring local natural resources. ” [positive] Empowerment: women’s empowerment “We sought for an active involvement of women in all steps of our project, particularly of those belonging to NGOs and cooperatives, or working for the local high school and the university. However, housewives were barely involved in the process due to familiar constraints (mainly time), and local customs that limit their contact with men. This hurdle may be overcome by taking a number of measures, including (1) incor- porating women as facilitators in the project team, (2) practical adjustments of activity time, duration, and place, and (3) work- ing with women separately.” [no effect]"
  • Considers economic costs: No
  • Economic appraisal conducted: No
  • Economic appraisal described:
  • Economic costs of alternative considered: No
  • Compared to an alternative: Not reported

Evaluation methodology

  • Type of data: Qualitative
  • Is it experimental: No
  • Experimental evalution done: Not applicable
  • Non-experimental evalution done: Empirical case study
  • Study is systematic: