Said Lahrouz, Mohamed Dakki, Rhimou El Hamoumi

Status and population trends of three globally threatened anatids at one of their key wintering and nesting sites in Morocco

Abstract The Merja de Fouwarate Ramsar site is home to the largest Moroccan population of the Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca), a globally near-threatened species, and is also one of the best Moroccan sites for the wintering and nesting of two other species of Anatidae, the Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris), a globally near-threatened species, and the Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), a vulnerable species. A 12-year-long monitoring of these three species was conducted at the Ramsar site of Fouwarate. The primary objective of this research was to establish the phenological status, conservation status, and population trends of these three species. Results revealed a positive population trend for the Common Pochard and Ferruginous Duck between 2011 and 2017, while the population trend of the Marbled Teal exhibited no significant directional change during this period. After 2019, the populations of all three species exhibited pronounced signs of decline. This trend is explained by local and regional circumstances, primarily attributed to climate change and the influence of local anthropogenic factors. Based on these results, it will be imperative to change the national protection status to the Common Pochard, which remains unprotected. Additionally, it is necessary to update the species’ phenological status in Morocco from “Occasional Breeder” to “Resident Breeder” and establish an appropriate wetland management plan to preserve Fouwarate’s significant ecological and socioeconomic role.

Doi https://doi.org/10.35513/21658005.2024.1.2

Keywords Ferruginous Duck; Common Pochard; Marbled Teal; Merja Fouwarate; trends; endangered species; wetland conservation

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