Igherm to Taroudannt, Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco
An argan tree crawling with goats near Taroudannt.
The argan tree is resistant to drought and hence a haven for wildlife. It is important to local economies for its oil. The Berber women collect the kernels of its fruit by hand, often from goat droppings, and they are crushed to make argan oil, used in cooking and cosmetics. The domestic goat is able to feed on pretty much anything, and is a major threat to the argan forests of southern Morocco. It climbs into trees and strips them bare, feeding on its leaves and fruit. Many dead trees (known as rocherts verts) are found around the countryside, and protected areas are now being set up to tackle the problem of overgrazing.
Photo: Richard Knight
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[Anti-Atlas Mountains] | [Jebel Toubkal]