Articles | Volume 7, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-511-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-511-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
11 Aug 2021
Original research article |
| 11 Aug 2021
| 11 Aug 2021
Spatial distribution of argan tree influence on soil properties in southern Morocco
Department of Physical Geography, Trier University, 54286 Trier, Germany
Tobias Romes
Department of Physical Geography, Trier University, 54286 Trier, Germany
Irene Marzolff
Department of Physical Geography, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Manuel Seeger
Department of Physical Geography, Trier University, 54286 Trier, Germany
Ali Aït Hssaine
Department of Geography, Université Ibn Zohr, 80060 Agadir, Morocco
Johannes B. Ries
Department of Physical Geography, Trier University, 54286 Trier, Germany
Related authors
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Lars Engelmann, Irene Marzolff, Mario Kirchhoff, Manuel Seeger, Robin Stephan, Ali Aït Hssaine, and Johannes B. Ries
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1587, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1587, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Earth Surface Dynamics (ESurf).
Short summary
Short summary
Drylands are often shaped by scattered plants that create small "islands" with better conditions for growth. We combined drone imagery with field data to study the surface patterns linked to such islands in heavily browsed argan forests. We found that trees influence their surroundings beyond their crowns, especially toward the north-east, which is likely due to wind and shade rather than water flow. However, as trees degrade, their protective effect declines rapidly.
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Short summary
This study found that the influence of argan trees on soil properties in southern Morocco is mostly limited to the area covered by the tree crown. However, the tree influences the bare soil outside the crown positively in specific directions because wind and water can move litter and soil particles from under the tree to the areas between the trees. These findings, based on soil samples around argan trees, could help structure reforestation measures.
This study found that the influence of argan trees on soil properties in southern Morocco is...
