Spatio-temporal evolution of health-related ethnobotanical studies in Morocco since 1991: Quantitative analysis of more than 420 studies as a basis for biochemical and microbiological research on medicinal plants

Authors

  • Issam Ghabbour Laboratory of Natural Resources and Environment, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Taza-Gare, Taza B.P. 1223, Morocco.
  • Badia El Aarage Natural Resources and Environment Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
  • Fatima Zahra El Aboui Natural Resources and Environment Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
  • Nabil Ghabbour Natural Resources and Environment Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
  • Abdelmajid Khabbach Biotechnology, Environment, Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
  • Said Louahlia Biotechnology, Environment, Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Dhar el Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
  • Khalil Hammani Natural Resources and Environment Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

Abstract

Background: Historically, Moroccan ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological research has benefited human health and continues to provide a valuable foundation for biochemical and microbiological investigations.

Methods: A critical analysis of ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological field studies conducted between 1991 and October 2025 was performed using major databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and others). Publications were categorized by year and region and analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), clustering, slope trend analysis, and evaluation of links between ethnobotanical surveys and biochemical or microbiological studies.

Results: A total of 423 studies were analyzed, showing a marked increase in publications after 2010, particularly since 2015. Research is concentrated in northern and central regions, notably Fez–Meknes (32.5%), while southern regions remain underrepresented. Ethnobotany Research and Applications accounts for 15.4% of publications, and Lamiaceae are the most studied species. A strong link was observed between ethnobotanical inventories and subsequent biochemical and microbiological analyses, confirming their role as a source for experimental research. PCA explains 73.37% of total variance, revealing a spatial gradient between dynamic northern/central regions and less active southern regions, along with increased activity in recent years. Hierarchical clustering confirmed regional disparities, identifying Fez–Meknes as a major research hub and highlighting a clear temporal structure, with 2021–2025 representing a peak in scientific output.

Conclusions: Moroccan ethnobotanical research shows significant spatiotemporal disparities but has grown rapidly since 2010. It remains a key pillar for biochemical and microbiological studies, and further efforts are needed to explore still understudied regions.

Keywords: Morocco, Historical plant-population, Ethnobotany, Biochemical, Microbiological, Health.

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Published

2026-06-07

How to Cite

Ghabbour, I., El Aarage, B. ., El Aboui, F. Z., Ghabbour, N., Khabbach , A., Louahlia, S., & Hammani, K. (2026). Spatio-temporal evolution of health-related ethnobotanical studies in Morocco since 1991: Quantitative analysis of more than 420 studies as a basis for biochemical and microbiological research on medicinal plants. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 34. Retrieved from https://www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/8265

Issue

Vol. 34 (2026)

Section

Reviews

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