Abstract :
[en] In northern Morocco, silvopastoral areas are characterized by pastoral activities, and the goats find some or all their feed rations. Overgrazing is listed as a main factor of silvopastoral degradation by local authority and several authors. Goat cannot only be regarded as a problem for silvopastoral ecosystems. A survey, with local population and local authority, were conducted in several rural communes of northern Morocco, to understand the actual factors of silvopastoral degradation. According to all interviewed persons: agriculture development, authority policy, cannabis cultivation, deforestation, drought, fire, overgrazing, population growth and soil erosion are the most cited drivers of silvopastoral degradation. Local population and local authority have the same perception that soil erosion, drought, fire and population growth are factors of silvopastoral degradation. Goat grazing can be considerate as a solution and not just
a problem. In some forest areas, goat grazing contributes to a reduction of burned areas by elimination of inflammable shrubs. Herd mobility, as an ecological rationality, is considered as a response to unexpected variability in pasture production and/or animal nutritional needs. Despite all forms of degradation, silvopastoral areas in northern Morocco continue to play a support of all livestock activities, considered an inevitable source of goats feeding.
