A community-based conservation approach model. the case of argan grove biosphere reserve cooperatives. in the central western part of morocco

Abstract

UNESCO designated the Moroccan Argan grove as Argan Grove Biosphere Reserve on December 8th, 1998. Thanks to its precious value, this grove is supposed to play a considerable part in promoting sustainable development. Recent studies have shown that the AGBR is still facing serious economic and social challenges in areas where local communities suffer from both precariousness and vulnerability. According to their needs, community members pragmatically joined different bodies such as associations, cooperatives or Economic Interest Groups. The multiplicity of bodies involved in the field of a socially and solidarity-oriented economy stands as a serious challenge for governance. The present study aims to investigate the role of cooperative stakeholders and their contribution in establishing and developing a conservation model based on local skills and knowledge. Based on a review of the literature on biosphere conservation models developed or implemented in areas affected by human activities, we adopted a mixed method by designing interviews and questionnaires to collect data. Having defined our sample size, respondents belonging to different areas of the Argan Grove were asked to answer a set of both quantitative and qualitative questions. The aim is to collect data that served the purpose of our research. Analysis of data demonstrated that cooperatives stakeholders appeared to have lost their initial focus of promoting and protecting ecosystems by prioritizing economic profitability over conservation efficiency. Further research is needed to identify factors that would really contribute to promoting an efficient conservation community-based approach model.