Morocco
Quarry Life Award 2024

Creation and Sustainable Habitat Management for the Endemic and Endangered Moroccan Amphibian Pelobates varaldii

The project aims to create and sustainably manage breeding habitats for the Varaldi’s Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates varaldii), a threatened anuran species endemic to Morocco, currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Benslimane quarry presents a rare opportunity for ecological restoration through the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

This initiative proposes to transform the Benslimane quarry into an ecological refuge by establishing artificial habitats conducive to the reproduction and survival of the species, within a context increasingly affected by climate change. The project will help reinforce the local population of P. varaldii in Benslimane, where low densities have been recorded in the single known breeding pond. It will also contribute to the creation of suitable ecological and genetic corridors connecting the Maâmora forest to southern Casablanca populations.

The project will be implemented through close collaboration with key stakeholders, including local authorities, quarry managers, academic researchers, and civil society organizations. This inclusive and participatory approach will ensure the project’s ecological, social, and institutional sustainability

Ultimately, the Benslimane quarry initiative aims to serve as a replicable model for the ecological rehabilitation of extractive landscapes across Morocco, contributing to both biodiversity conservation and the broader agenda of sustainable land restoration.