Souss-Massa National Park
Encyclopedia
The Souss-Massa National Park (Parc National de Souss-Massa) is a 33,800 hectare national park
on the Atlantic coast of Morocco
which was created in 1991. It lies between Agadir
to the north and Sidi Ifni
to the south and its centre is at 9o 40' West 30° 5' north . The estuary of the Oued Souss is the northern limit of the park, and that of the Oued Massa is near the southern end. 30,000 ha of land near Aglou, south of the park, is also included in the site because it is sometimes used as a feeding area by the Northern Bald Ibis
. The habitat is grazed steppe
with dunes, beaches and wetlands. The soil is mainly sandy with some rockier areas.
The park’s main conservation importance is that it holds three of the four Moroccan colonies of the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. Together with the fourth site at nearby Tamri, it holds 95% of the world’s truly wild breeding birds of this endangered species. The ibis colonies and roost-sites are located on coastal cliffs within the National Park, and the coastal steppes and fields are used as feeding areas. The park has a nature trail at Oued Souss and a visitor centre at Oued Massa.
The Oued Massa holds water throughout the year and has breeding Marbled Duck
s, a globally threatened species. It is the only known Moroccan breeding site for the Glossy Ibis
. The two estuaries are important for migrants, especially waders and gulls. European Spoonbill and Audouin's Gull
winter in the park. Other notable breeding bird species are Red-necked Nightjar
, Thick-billed Lark
, Tristram's Warbler
) and Moussier's Redstart
.
The park is threatened by increasing pressures of the growing human population and the construction of summer chalets is increasing around Aglou. A large-scale hotel development planned for the coast at Tifnit, an area that includes important feeding areas for the Bald Ibis, has been suspended.
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
on the Atlantic coast of Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
which was created in 1991. It lies between Agadir
Agadir
Agadir is a major city in southwest Morocco, capital of the Agadir province and the Sous-Massa-Draa economic region .-Etymology:...
to the north and Sidi Ifni
Sidi Ifni
Sidi Ifni is a city located in southwest Morocco, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of 20,000 people. The economic base of the city is fishing. It belongs to the Sous-Massa-Draa economic region and to the Sidi Ifni province. Its inhabitants are mainly Chleuhs from the Ait...
to the south and its centre is at 9o 40' West 30° 5' north . The estuary of the Oued Souss is the northern limit of the park, and that of the Oued Massa is near the southern end. 30,000 ha of land near Aglou, south of the park, is also included in the site because it is sometimes used as a feeding area by the Northern Bald Ibis
Northern Bald Ibis
The Northern Bald Ibis, Hermit Ibis, or Waldrapp is a migratory bird found in barren, semi-desert or rocky habitats, often close to running water. This 70–80 cm glossy black ibis, which, unlike other members of the ibis family, is non-wading, has an unfeathered red face and head, and a long,...
. The habitat is grazed steppe
Steppe
In physical geography, steppe is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands and temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes...
with dunes, beaches and wetlands. The soil is mainly sandy with some rockier areas.
The park’s main conservation importance is that it holds three of the four Moroccan colonies of the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. Together with the fourth site at nearby Tamri, it holds 95% of the world’s truly wild breeding birds of this endangered species. The ibis colonies and roost-sites are located on coastal cliffs within the National Park, and the coastal steppes and fields are used as feeding areas. The park has a nature trail at Oued Souss and a visitor centre at Oued Massa.
Marbled Duck
The Marbled Duck, or Marbled Teal , is a medium-sized duck. It used to be included among the dabbling ducks, but is now classed as a diving duck....
s, a globally threatened species. It is the only known Moroccan breeding site for the Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
The Glossy Ibis is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae.This is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean region of the Americas...
. The two estuaries are important for migrants, especially waders and gulls. European Spoonbill and Audouin's Gull
Audouin's Gull
The Audouin's Gull is a large gull restricted to the Mediterranean and the western coast of Saharan Africa. It breeds on small islands colonially or alone, laying 2-3 eggs on a ground nest...
winter in the park. Other notable breeding bird species are Red-necked Nightjar
Red-necked Nightjar
The Red-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis, is the largest of the nightjars occurring in Europe. It breeds in Iberia and north Africa, and winters in tropical west Africa.-Habitat:...
, Thick-billed Lark
Thick-billed Lark
The Thick-billed Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Rhamphocoris...
, Tristram's Warbler
Tristram's Warbler
The Tristram's Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.Its natural habitat is subtropical dry shrubland.-References:...
) and Moussier's Redstart
Moussier's Redstart
The Moussier's Redstart is a small passerine bird in the genus Phoenicurus , formerly classed as a member of the thrush family , but is now classified as an Old World flycatcher . It is an endemic resident breeder in the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa...
.
The park is threatened by increasing pressures of the growing human population and the construction of summer chalets is increasing around Aglou. A large-scale hotel development planned for the coast at Tifnit, an area that includes important feeding areas for the Bald Ibis, has been suspended.