Argania Spinosa

L’arganier (Argania spinosa L.) est une espèce endémique de la vallée du Souss, dans le sud-ouest du Maroc. Elle constitute pour la population du village de Tifigit une ressource de base pour la production d’huile, de fourrage, de bois architectural et de combustible. Bien que l’utilisation et l’exploitation de cet arbre soient désormais bien documentées pour la période médiévale dans cette région, notamment grâce aux recherches archéobotaniques menées sur le site islamique voisin, Igiliz, les données demeurent ténues en ce qui concerne les formes d’arganiers exploitées durant cette période.  En effet, le seul recours aux restes carpologiques ou anthracologiques du site ne permet pas de déterminer si les arbres exploités à l’époque médiévale provenaient de terrains irrigués et fumés (horticulture en terrasses), de terrains agricoles non-irrigués (tels ceux sur lesquels est cultivée  aujourd’hui l’orge à Tifigit), ou des terres sèches incultes utilisées pour le pâturage du bétail.
Afin de documenter cette question, une approche d’éco-anatomie quantitative a été menée sur Argania spinosa dans le cadre du Projet Idex-Pres PRES Sorbonne-Universités HARGANA  2014, en partenariat avec Paris 4 et CNRS-Muséum. Durant la campagne de fouille 2014, plus d’une centaine d’échantillons de bois actuel d’arganier ont été collectés à Tifigit, dans différentes conditions de croissance : arbres irrigués et non-irrigués, fertilisés ou non, pâturés ou non. Après séchage et carbonisation en four à moufles sous conditions atmosphériques contrôlées, l’analyse des échantillons actuels permet de révéler la plasticité particulière de ce bois. Ces données éco-anatomiques actuelles appliquées aux charbons de bois archéologiques permettent de restituer les conditions de croissance des arganiers médiévaux et d’appréhender leurs modes d’exploitation.

Les peuplements naturels de l’arganier présentent une répartition discontinue plus ou moins dense dans l’espace selon l’intervention de l’homme et la sévérité des conditions climatiques. La présente étude cherche à comparer au niveau structuration génétique, des peuplements échantillonnés sur l’Anti Atlas (Oulcaïd, Tafraout, Ait Baha, Lakhssas) et dans des zones présahariennes et sahariennes à l’ouest de Guelmim (Guelmim) et au Sud-Est de Guelmim (Assa-Zag). L’analyse de la diversité génétique a permis de mettre en évidence à l’aide des marqueurs moléculaires microsatellites du type ISSR (inter simple sequence repeat), un niveau de polymorphisme moyen de l’ordre de 53% à travers 79 loci. La population de Ait Baha apparaît la plus diversifiée pour tous les paramètres génétiques intrapopulation (% de locus polymorphe P = 62% ; diversité génétique de Nei h = 0,20 ; richesse allèlique Na = 1,6), alors que la population de Tafraout affiche les valeurs les plus faibles (%P = 40,5 ; h = 0,13 ; Na = 1,4). L’analyse des profils multilocus a montré une structuration génétique très élevée des six populations étudiées (GST = 0,35 ; AMOVA = 0,42 ; Nm = 0,92). Cette structuration est hautement corrélée avec la distance géographique (r²=0.659; P < 0.01). La population la plus isolée géographiquement au sud du Maroc (Assa Zag) se différencie nettement et présente une diversité intra-population similaire à la moyenne des six populations étudiées.

La gestion et la préservation des ressources génétiques de l’arganier nécessitent une description aussi exhaustive que possible de la diversité génétique dans les populations actuelles. Dans ce contexte, une analyse ciblée sur les populations de la région d’Essaouira a été menée à l’aide de marqueurs génétiques neutres de type ISSR. Cinq amorces ISSR ont généré un total de 82 loci avec un taux de polymorphisme moyen de 98.78%. La population de Retmana apparaît la moins diversifiée pour tous les paramètres génétiques intra-population (% de locus polymorphes %P = 40 ; diversité génétique de Nei h = 0,13 ; Richesse allélique A = 1,4), par rapport à la population Jbel Kourati (%P= 68 ; A=1,7 ; h = 0,25). Au niveau inter-populations, l’AMOVA a montré que 47% de la variance génétique a été partagée entre les populations. L’indice de différenciation génétique de Nei (Gst= 0,3865) a confirmé ce niveau élevé de différenciation, avec un flux génique très limité estimé à 0,79 par migrant et par génération. Par ailleurs, les distances génétiques selon la tendance littorale ou continentale entre les populations s’avèrent respectées (r² = 0,2248, P).

And what if the border was the center of the territory? And what if the origin was not a first event but a repeated and thus upcoming event?

These are all issues brought up when a foreigner arrives at the border of a Berber tribe in southern Morocco, the Ait Baamran, largely composed of exiles from the four corners of the Maghreb and beyond. The foreigner—including the ethnologist—is being asked to inhabit the borderlands of the political territory to best embody the founding values based on the principle of conquest and not autochthony. When otherness challenges History, late-comers become first-comers and wandering people become the worthy descendants of the Prophet of Islam.

Only exile may give rise to a special way to inscribe into the land. In the arid area of southwestern Morocco where a last range of mountains borders the Sahara and argan trees offer their shade, Romain Simenel reconsiders in this volume some major paradigms of the Maghreb Anthropology in the light of an original ethnographic context.

How does tribal territory connect segmentarity and holiness today? What role rituals play in territory and body perception? In what ways does Arab marriage reverse the foundations of the Alliance theory? How does inheritance shape genealogy? Far from prejudices on how Muslim religion may influence the way the environment is addressed and enriched by a context where human beings feel stranger to other beings (plants, animals, genies) of these lands, Romain Simenel makes Morocco stand out among the discussions engaged by the anthropology of Nature. This book has also cast some light on a few major enigmas of Muslim social history such as the growing number of descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Finally, the author opens up new anthropological perspectives on human cognition by considering the coexistence of a biological conception of language transmission and a horizontal learning of the Berber language by children-shepherds. Language, territory, the environment, kinship, the ritual and history are thus examined in the light of exile in the form of a narrative that commends human societies for their ability to be defined by the elsewhere.

WHEN FORSTERS TAKE ON THE ROLE OF THE SAINT... MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY BORDERS IN THE UPPER ATLAS AND THE ARGAN FORESTS (MOROCCO)
Relations between foresters and farms in the Moroccan mountains are mainly analysed in terms of opposi- tion: between a regulatory and administrative approach, on the one hand, and strategies of resistance from farmers and communities on the other. This antagonistic reading has proven to be unsatisfactory to capture the complexity of the forestry issues and to analyse the diversity of interaction between foresters and farmers. For instance, bordering areas located at the frontiers between the territories of rural communities which are the subject matter of conflict in usage between the groups and suffer major degradation of their resources are taken over by the forestry administration. It is in those areas that it implements most of its reforestation protected by deferred grazing which is interpreted by the villagers with reference to the custo- mary register (forester’s agdal). The purpose of this article is show that in these situations, the forester takes on the role of the “saint” – a figure endowed with divine Baraka who traditionally is involved in arbitrating conflicts in tribal settings – so as to pacify the territory. Far from being negligible, the social and ecological implications of the bordering areas deserve special attention from State departments.

"« Forêt domestique », « forêt rurale », « forêt paysanne », « forêt anthropique »… les qualificatifs foisonnent pour désigner des écosystèmes considérés jusqu’à peu comme naturels et caractérisés aujourd’hui par l’histoire de leurs relations positives avec l’homme. Mais encore faut-il savoir de quelle histoire parle-t-on. Pour les forêts d’arganiers (Argania spinosa) endémiques du Sud marocain, plus précisément chez les Aït Ba’amran, leur existence est du à un processus d’afforestation basé sur la complémentarité entre l’impact sur le long terme des techniques d’aménagement du sol et un système coutumier de mise en défens des ressources forestières régi au nom de pratiques religieuses. Cependant, ce processus d’afforestation ne répond guère à des intentions écologiques concrètes, mais plutôt à des attentes sociales et religieuses. Dans le cas de l’arganier, les paysans du Sud marocain vont jusqu’à dénier tout impact anthropique sur l’expansion des forêts, alors qu’ils ne cessent pourtant, depuis des générations, de traiter l’arbre comme une véritable espèce domestique. L’image du paysan autochtone ayant façonné de générations en générations la forêt d’arganiers est ainsi aux antipodes de celle que se font d’eux-mêmes les Aït Ba’amran : celle de nouveaux arrivants. Mais si, à leurs yeux, la forêt n’est pas anthropique, elle n’en reste pas moins domestique.

How to domesticate a forest without the men ? An ethno-historical ecology of the argan forest in southwest Morocco
«Domestic Forest», «rural forest», «farm forest», «anthropogenic forests» ... adjectives abound to describe ecosystems that were, until recently, regarded as “natural” and characterized today by the history of their positive relationships with humans. But which history are we talking about? For the argan forests (Argania spinosa) endemic to southern Morocco, specifically in Aït Ba’amran, their existence is due to a process of afforestation. This process is grounded in the complementarity of the impact on the long time of ground infrastructure techniques and a customary system of fencing forest resources which is governed in the name of religious practices. However, this process of afforestation does little to account for ecological concrete intentions, rather, it corresponds to social and religious expectations. In the case of the argan tree, while the farmers of southern Morocco are going to deny any human impact on the expansion of forests, yet they continue to treat the tree as a true domestic species, as they have done for generations. The representation of the indigenous peasant having shaped the argan forest from generations to generations is diametrically opposed to the Aït Ba’amran’s one. They perceive themselves as newcomers. But if, in their view, the forest is not anthropogenic, it is nevertheless domestic."

The emergence of the Argan tree as an agricultural, pastoral, cultural, economic and ecological keystone species in Southern Morocco is considered to be linked to the settlement of agropastoral communities that favored its expansion. Nevertheless, the use and exploitation of Argan tree is documented by both few medieval written sources and archaeobotanical studies, from a single location, Îgîlîz (Toughmart, Morocco), a famous medieval site of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Therefore, data remain scarce regarding the type of Argan communities exploited at this period. In order to document this question, a quantitative eco-anatomical approach aiming to understand variations of wood characters involved in sap conduction and reserve storage, is developed from modern samples collected in the area of Îgîlîz. Results show that diameter of branches and environmental factors are the major parameters explaining plasticity of wood anatomical characters. Quantitative eco-anatomical features of Argan archaeological charcoal confronted to two statistical models, allow assessing both the diameter of the branches from which it derives and the agro-ecological conditions of tree growth and development. This preliminary study may be considered as a relevant and pioneering work for the understanding of the eco-history of the Argan tree, and of its use and exploitation during the past.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-90286-4

The argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) is a native woody species of arid areas of the Moroccan Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains. It is also distributed in Algeria (Tindouf region) in the western Mediterranean region. . The wild tree is a staple resource for the populations living in the argan distribution area such as in the village of Tifigit  where it is used for fodder, oil, timber and fuel. The other primary resources are dry-culture of cereals and pulses, and irrigated horticulture.
The archaeological site of Igiliz (1350m), near Tifigit, has produced exceptional archaeological, historical and ethnobotanical data suggesting that the argan tree played during the Medieval period a significant role in the everyday life of inhabitants. To consolidate these previous results, an interdisciplinary approach was performed to investigate where and how the argan tree was exploited. A quantitative eco-anatomical analysis of archaeological charcoal was carried out in order to identify if exploited trees are sourced from irrigated gardens or other various wild contexts. An ethnobotanical approach on the argan oil processing and the economic management of wild/exploited trees for this domestic activity by the present-day inhabitants was conducted in parallel with the study of the spatial distribution of fruit waste from this activity during the medieval period. The archaeobiological and archaeobotanical results are discussed in the light of ethnobotanical study, written sources and contextual and taphonomic state of identified charcoal and  charred fruit remains.

The emergence of the Argan tree as an agricultural, pastoral, cultural, economic and ecological keystone species in Southern Morocco is considered to be linked to the settlement of agropastoral communities that favored its expansion. Nevertheless, the use and exploitation of Argan tree is documented by both few medieval written sources and archaeobotanical studies, from a single location, Îgîlîz (Toughmart, Morocco), a famous medieval site of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Therefore, data remain scarce regarding the type of Argan communities exploited at this period. In order to document this question, a quantitative eco-anatomical approach aiming to understand variations of wood characters involved in sap conduction and reserve storage, is developed from modern samples collected in the area of Îgîlîz. Results show that diameter of branches and environmental factors are the major parameters explaining plasticity of wood anatomical characters. Quantitative eco-anatomical features of Argan...

The argan tree,  Argania spinosa  (L.) Skeels is the endemic tree between Morocco and Algeria, it is a national concern recently to keep in Algeria. Our work aims to evaluate the preliminary tests by introducing semi on two different sites, In situ site to the natural reserve of the argan ex situ and on-site at the Wilaya of Mascara. Where we conducted a comparative test based on age of plant breeding nursery transplants in the fields. We opted for a simple and descriptive data analysis, a mixed sampling was performed to measure the growth in height according to age and to calculate the success rate. Transplantation was studied in two sites in two treatments. The recovery rate reaches 90% in the first week on this site, and in situ value obtained in the second week for the Ex situ site. The data of the average plant height and success rates of planting and transplanting give remarkable results that they were carried out by treatment (A) 73% success rate of transplantation in its natural range distribution that 63% to Mascara.
Compared 43.29% obtained by the treatment (A). Unfortunately, the rate of recovery is inclined at the age of 6 years old with 31.81% of in situ site. One who always raises the question of the failure of plantations by planting argan trees, even on natural distribution site.

On the basis of two case studies in rural Morocco, one in a mountainous area of the Central High Atlas and the other in the argan tree area of the southwest Atlantic coast, we show how local Berber populations have actively shaped their forest areas through endogenous management systems at different scales: 1) at the individual tree level by differential cutting or trimming which lead to specific conformations of the tree, 2) at the tree stand level, by determining the type, structure and level of resources, and 3) at the landscape level in which complementary patches of forest areas with particular functions are consciously organized within the overall territory. These practices are strongly linked with the overall socioeconomic organization of the local communities, and mix individual with common rights of access and uses. Forests are viewed as part of the domestic sphere of local livelihoods. Hence, they typically constitute what we refer to as rural or domestic forests since they integrate production and conservation with social, political and spiritual dimensions. These features are of importance for considering forester-local community relationships, and for developing alternative forest management policies.

The emergence of the Argan tree as an agricultural, pastoral, cultural, economic and ecological keystone species in Southern Morocco is considered to be linked to the settlement of agropastoral communities that favored its expansion. Nevertheless, the use and exploitation of Argan tree is documented by both few medieval written sources and archaeobotanical studies, from a single location, Îgîlîz (Toughmart, Morocco), a famous medieval site of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Therefore, data remain scarce regarding the type of Argan communities exploited at this period. In order to document this question, a quantitative eco-anatomical approach aiming to understand variations of wood characters involved in sap conduction and reserve storage, is developed from modern samples collected in the area of Îgîlîz. Results show that diameter of branches and environmental factors are the major parameters explaining plasticity of wood anatomical characters. Quantitative eco-anatomical features of Argan...

Abstract The argan tree [ Argania spinosa (L.) Skeel.] is a spontaneous and xerophilous species endemic to south-western Morocco and the only representative species of the tropical Sapotaceae family in the country. It forms well-developed woodlands in the plain of Souss and open steppic vegetation on the semi-arid slopes of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Currently, wild and managed argan trees are a staple firewood and timber resource, leaves and fruit are used for fodder and oil from the seeds for daily food. In the Anti-Atlas southeast of Taroudant, various tree growth forms can be observed in keeping with local management practices. We developed interdisciplinary research in this area by studying the bioarchaeological remains from the medieval site of Igiliz in conjunction with current farming practices in the neighbouring village of Tifigit. A plant inventory of 96 taxa was recorded from the archaeobotanical remains, including 13 wild and cultivated tree species and eight herbaceous crops (cereals, pulses, vegetables, condiments and fruit). The charred wood and seeds of Argania spinosa predominated in a wide range of contexts, indicating the major role of this species in the 10th–13th century economy. The ethnobotanical survey focused on the exploitation of argan trees and argan oil extraction techniques. In this paper, we discuss the past and present-day role of the argan tree in the agro-pastoral economy of the mountain hinterland.

Abstract The argan tree [ Argania spinosa (L.) Skeel.] is a spontaneous and xerophilous species endemic to south-western Morocco and the only representative species of the tropical Sapotaceae family in the country. It forms well-developed woodlands in the plain of Souss and open steppic vegetation on the semi-arid slopes of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Currently, wild and managed argan trees are a staple firewood and timber resource, leaves and fruit are used for fodder and oil from the seeds for daily food. In the Anti-Atlas southeast of Taroudant, various tree growth forms can be observed in keeping with local management practices. We developed interdisciplinary research in this area by studying the bioarchaeological remains from the medieval site of Igiliz in conjunction with current farming practices in the neighbouring village of Tifigit. A plant inventory of 96 taxa was recorded from the archaeobotanical remains, including 13 wild and cultivated tree species and eight herbaceous crops (cereals, pulses, vegetables, condiments and fruit). The charred wood and seeds of Argania spinosa predominated in a wide range of contexts, indicating the major role of this species in the 10th–13th century economy. The ethnobotanical survey focused on the exploitation of argan trees and argan oil extraction techniques. In this paper, we discuss the past and present-day role of the argan tree in the agro-pastoral economy of the mountain hinterland.

The argan tree [Argania spinosa (L.) Skeel.] is a spontaneous and xerophilous species endemic to southwestern Morocco and the only representative species of the tropical Sapotaceae family in the country. It forms well-developed woodlands in the plain of Souss and open steppic vegetation on the semi-arid slopes of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Currently, wild and managed argan trees are a staple firewood and timber resource, leaves and fruit are used for fodder and oil from the seeds for daily food. In the Anti-Atlas southeast of Taroudant, various tree growth forms can be observed in keeping with local management practices. We developed interdisciplinary research in this area by studying the bioarchaeological remains from the medieval site of Igîlîz in conjunction with current farming practices in the neighbouring village of Tifigit. A plant inventory of 96 taxa was recorded from the archaeobotanical remains, including 13 wild and cultivated tree species and eight herbaceous crops (cere...