Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods provide a framework for addressing sustainable forest management challenges, especially under climate change. This study offers a systematic review of MCDM applications in forest management from January 2010 to March 2024. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze trends in MCDM use and geographic distribution. Thematic content analysis investigated the appearance of MCDM indicators supplemented by Natural Language Processing (NLP). Factorial Correspondence Analysis (FCA) explored correlations between models and publication outlets. We systematically searched Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, CrossRef, and OpenAlex using terms such as ‘MCDM’, ‘forest management’, and ‘decision support’. We found that the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) were the most commonly used methods, followed by the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE), the Analytic Network Process (ANP), GIS, and Goal Programming (GP). Adoption varied across regions, with advanced models such as AHP and GIS less frequently used in developing countries due to technological constraints. These findings highlight emerging trends and gaps in MCDM application, particularly for argan forests, emphasizing the need for context-specific frameworks to support sustainable management in the face of climate change.

Reforestation of degraded drylands calls for the selection of species with the capacity to withstand water scarcity. In this current study we have assessed, the physiological responses of three field-grown species (Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Moringa oleifera) to water deficits in semi-arid regions in order to suggest a potential species for rehabilitation programs. The physiological behavior of the given species was studied in three irrigation schemes: subsurface drip irrigation (applied weekly), tank irrigation (applied monthly), and unirrigated plants. In a stressed state, an assessment of relative water content (RWC), water potential (pre-dawn water potential PWP and midday water potential MWP) and stomatal conductance revealed three contrasting physiological responses. First, C. siliqua stomata remained open with a high RWC at low water potentials. Consequently, this species tolerated water deficits by decreasing its leaf water potential, primarily associated with osmotic adjustment. On the other hand, E. camaldulensis was found to be a drought-avoider species, mutated to a water-saving strategy by complete stomatal closure. Finally, for the extreme case, M. oleifera showed leaf shedding under water deficit conditions. These different physiological responses allowed these species to survive water deficits, and consequently, could be considered suitable candidates for rehabilitating degraded semi-arid areas.

Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is an evergreen tree native to SW Europe and NW Africa. It covers 2·106 ha in the western Mediterranean basin, forms heterogeneous forest ecosystems and represents an im...

Morocco is considered one of the main biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean region and contains various plant species including wild and domestic Rosa. This genus is the most important among cultivated ornamental plants in the world, with a high economic value in cosmetics, pharmaceutical industries, and floriculture. In the present study, genetic diversity among the collected accessions of wild Rosa species in Morocco was assessed using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Directed Amplification of Minisatellites DNA (DAMD) markers. Results confirmed that both markers used have a good efficiency to assess genetic diversity in wild roses. Ten ISSR and eight DAMD primers amplified 276 and 203 loci, with an average of 27.4 and 25 polymorphic alleles per primer, respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values were 0.34 with ISSR and 0.31 with DAMD. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that genetic variation in wild rose occurs mainly within populations (86%) rather than between populations (14%). The region of Azrou (Middle Atlas of Morocco) is the area that registered the highest genetic diversity in the present study with He = 0.21. The 39 rose accessions were divided into three main groups with among-group similarity of 30%. Principal component analysis and the hierarchical classification were consistent with genetic relationships derived by structure analysis. The findings revealed that the patterns of grouping are weakly correlated with geographical origin. ISSR and DAMD markers showed that the accessions have a good genetic diversity.

In Morocco, despite the adaptation of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp) to edaphoclimatic conditions, differing from those that prevail in the countries from which it originates, this introduced species is regressing due to biotic and abiotic stresses that impact its survival. Hence, finding innovative technologies to preserve this species are essential. However, the success of in vitro micropropagation technologies is hinged upon the initial disinfection step. In this work we have tested several solutions and exposure time mixtures for disinfection across three different explants, as well as the adoption of hormonal combinations for the induction/regeneration step that allow for efficient micropropagation of cacti. We aimed to produce healthy regenerable vitroplants capable of effectively preserving themselves under aseptic conditions. We describe a specific protocol based on the type of areoles: (1) cladode without areolas (CWA); (2) areolas with shredded glochids (ASG); and (3) areolas with intact glochids (AIG). For each of these areoles, the disinfectant concentration and contact time were optimized and various hormonal combinations were tested for induction/regeneration. The optimal design meeting I-optimality criterion was used to predict the optimal combination by maximizing desirability. The disinfection combination that used 4.23% calcium hypochlorite (w:v), 0.4% Tween 20 (v:v), and 10 minutes of exposure time reduced the contamination frequency to 0.002% with a necrosis rate of less than 0.33% in explants with AIG. This type was the only one that gave responses in the induction/regeneration phase, which allowed us to predict the best rate of caulogenesis (71.74%) under a hormonal combination of 5.3 mg/L of BenzylAminopurine (BAP) and 0.59 mg/L of 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (ANA). Furthermore, the highest callogenesis rate of 94.45% was obtained by a hormonal combination of 6 mg/L of BAP and 0.59 mg/L of ANA. The explant’s rhizognesis was carried out with a concentration of 0.5 mg / l ANA, before acclimatization on a substrate containing soil and sand in a ratio of 3:1. In conclusion, these protocols provide easy and cost-effective means to multiply cacti in vitro to preserve them in areas where their culture has been destroyed by cochineal.

Euphorbia resiniferaO. Berg, also called Euphorbusresin, is a species belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is endemic to the Beni Mellal Khenifra region and extends discontinuously between El Ksiba and Demnate. Currently, this plant is known as a meliferous species and its product is considered as a terroir product with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). However, few studies have conducted on its ecology and particularly its mapping in relation to the environmental conditionswhere it thrives. That’s why in this study, we tried to establish, for the first time in the region of Beni Mellal, a distribution mapping of E.resiniferaaccording to the ecological needs of the plant, the exploration of high-resolution satellite imagery and on the field by observing a representative sample of the study area. Results showed that it spread from Demnate to Elksiba in the Atlas piedmont area but appears as scattered individuals from Demnate to AitOurir due to a complexity of factors mainly related to the soil characteristics, paleogeography and the climate exacerbated by the negative results of anthropogenic impacts. It extends also into the central high Atlas valley as small isolated units which reach 1900 m of altitude. This could explain why other ecological requirements should be considered in terms of the distribution of this endemic species in the context of climate change.