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Plant species in Mediterranean ecosystems are expected to exhibit diverse responses to environmental stresses such as climate aridity and challenging soil conditions by adopting various functional strategies. However, intraspecific variability at the local scale has received insufficient attention in the study of CSR strategies. This study aims to evaluate intraspecific variability in leaf traits and CSR strategies of seven woody species growing on ultramafic and non-ultramafic soils in the Beni Bousera region of Northern Morocco. We first conducted a physicochemical analysis to assess differences in soil composition between the two sites. Subsequently, we measured leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, and leaf area and calculated CSR strategies for 10 individuals per species. The results revealed significant differences between the two soil types, primarily driven by a moderate serpentine effect characterized by a Ca:Mg ratio Quercus coccifera adopted an S strategy, while Cistus salviifolius exhibited an S/SC strategy. Lavandula stoechas and Teucrium fruticans displayed notable interindividual variability, whereas Cistus atriplicifolius, Phillyrea latifolia, and Erica arborea maintained consistent strategies across both sites. Our research contributes to the enrichment of CSR databases and highlights the applicability of the CSR strategy framework at the local, intraspecific level, offering a valuable foundation for future ecological studies and plant conservation efforts. Moreover, investigating intraspecific variability in leaf traits and CSR strategies enhances our understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms in extreme environments such as Mediterranean serpentine soils.

Moroccan populations of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaerth. (Betulaceae) are found at the southern limit of the species’ range and are represented by tetraploid cytotypes with no available pollen data. The objective of this study was to assess the morphological and morphometric variability of the pollen, specifically focusing on pollen diameters and the number of apertures. To achieve this, we sampled 11 populations that are representative of the Moroccan distribution area of this species. We employed a hierarchical sampling design (11 populations, 10 trees per population, and from 30 to 300 pollen grains per tree, depending on the character measured) to examine different levels of variability: interpopulation, intrapopulation, and intraindividual. The results demonstrate that there is no discernible difference in the morphology or size of the pollen among the Moroccan tetraploid populations. However, we observed a high degree of intraspecific variability in pollen morphometric traits, but most of this variability is associated with the intraindividual level.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Martil River rehabilitation project and recently constructed dam infrastructures to reduce flood risks and to promote local socio-economic development on the ecological integrity of the river. The assessment focused on changes in fluvial landforms over time and the evaluation of aquatic ecosystems based on six physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand), morpho-hydrological variables (stream width, water depth, and current speed), habitat indices (QBR, IHF, and MQI), and macroinvertebrate assemblages of EPT, OCH, and Chironomidae (Diptera) at five stations from autumn 2015 to spring 2018 (prior to and during the rehabilitation actions). The results showed that the river rehabilitation project led to profound changes in Martil River’s ecosystem and water quality over time. Physicochemical and habitat measurements at the rehabilitated sites revealed a major change in macroinvertebrate communities due to changes in fluvial landforms in relation to flow-sediment regimes. As a result, some typical species of lentic habitats disappeared, while alien, opportunistic, and lotic species appeared.