Applied Research in North Africa

Endangered species in wildlife trade: Identifying rare and endangered species commercialized in the markets of southern Morocco using molecular methods

As an intrinsic part of Moroccan life, many markets exist aimed at the commercialization of plants and other organic materials. Research in southern Moroccan markets revealed that poor taxonomic identification of medicinal plant mixtures exacerbated the potential threat to local endangered botanical plant species.

In collaboration with Cadi Ayyad University and the University of Uppsala, Department of Evolution, Genomics, and Systematics, GDF conducted research to identify species commercialized in Marrakech markets and the surrounding regions. Utilizing applied research, the GDF regional team has identified, documented, and catalogued commercialized rare and endangered plant species. To decrease the number of endangered species sold in markets, GDF local partners developed a methodology to identify plant species. By using appropriate plant identification techniques, misidentification of plant species is reduced. In turn, this reduction improves the conservation of endangered species through proper identification and educational programs aimed at both local consumers and tourists. The endangered species database, including the most commercialized species, expands as local partners catalogue both individual components of multiple plant mixtures.

To build capacity among our local academic and field partners, GDF initiated a series of workshops to develop plant identification technical skills. A workshop on vernacular and scientific identification of samples from the field included the active participation of the Moroccan GDF regional team, academics from the University Cadi Ayyad faculty of Science Semlalia, and experienced local horticulturalists.

To further develop capacity, a “Workshop on Cell Biology and Molecular Methods” at the Natural History Museum Marrakech, on May 26 - 27, 2007 was organized. The Natural History Museum of Marrakech, Faculty of Sciences, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, the Global Diversity Foundation and the Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala University, Sweden within the collaborative project: ‘Endangered species in wildlife trade: Identifying rare and endangered species commercialized in the markets of southern Morocco using molecular methods’ prepared the workshop. Swedish Research Links funded the workshop. (http://www.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=679)

Taught by Anneleen Kool MSc, Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala University, Sweden, the course covered the following subjects through lectures, discussion, questions, and laboratory sessions.

• Molecular identification of species sold in the medina of Marrakech

• Cell physiology – overview of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: mitochondria, plastids and nucleus

• DNA, building blocks, histones, replication, transcription, translation, ribosomes, genes, spacers, introns, exons, mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, GenBank

• Methods: PCR, DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, sequencing, restriction analysis, molecular systematics and phylogenies

• Forensic methods: RAPD, RFLP, VNTRs, micro-satellites, genetic barcoding.

The establishment of long term partnerships between Moroccan and European Universities facilitates collaborative research, the provision of laboratory equipment, and the development of local workshops on sustainable management and traditional knowledge systems research. These efforts build capacity to assure continuity and sustainability in ecological and cultural conservation by and for the local communities.