Aguelmams Sidi Ali - Tifounassine. 15/01/05; Ifrane, Khénifra; 600 ha; 33°07'N 005°03'W. Biological and Ecological Reserve, Permanent Hunting Reserve. A complex of three mountain wetlands at 1900-2100m that are fed by snowmelt and springs - they are among the most southernmost representatives of the lacustrine mountain ecosystems of the temperate paleo-arctic bioregion. The wetlands are important wintering sites for migratory birds such as the Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) and the Crested Coot (Fulica cristata), as well as important sites for the maintenance of invertebrate endemism in the area. Other roles of the site, which is underlain by a karstique system, include its recharge of the groundwater table and provision of a drinking hole for local mammals such as the genet, jackal and Red fox. Activities around the area mainly include livestock raising, followed by tourism, rainbow trout aquaculture and sports fishing, especially in summer. The main threats are water extraction, overgrazing and organic pollution by animal and human use. Different NGOs have undertaken awareness programmes on the ecological, especially ornithological values of the site. Ramsar site no. 1468. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Ifrane