Carbon Sequestration in Moroccan Forest Ecosystems through a Synthesis of Biomass and Soil Carbon Stocks for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, particularly in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions. However, integrated assessments of forest carbon stocks remain limited at national scales. This study presents a comprehensive synthesis of carbon storage in Morocco’s major forest ecosystems based on a structured literature review and comparative analysis of published quantitative data on aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), and soil organic carbon (SOC). Only studies providing explicit carbon estimates, sampling depths, and ecological descriptors were retained to ensure consistency and traceability. Carbon stocks were analyzed across key forest types; Atlas cedar, zeen oak, holm oak, cork oak, thuya, and argan; spanning contrasting bioclimatic zones, substrates, stand structures, and degradation levels. Results reveal strong spatial and ecological variability driven by climate, soil properties, stand maturity, and forest condition. Zeen oak and Atlas cedar forests showed the highest mean total carbon stocks (≈198 and 187 tC ha⁻¹, respectively), while holm oak forests exhibited intermediate values (≈134 tC ha⁻¹). Cork oak ecosystems displayed lower average stocks (≈76 tC ha⁻¹), largely due to edaphic constraints and degradation pressures. Across all ecosystems, SOC constituted the dominant carbon pool.

The synthesis indicates that forest degradation can reduce total carbon stocks by 30–70%, emphasizing the importance of conserving mature, well-structured stands. These findings provide actionable insights for forest restoration, carbon-oriented management, and climate mitigation strategies in Mediterranean forest landscapes.