Understanding the relationship between the spatial distribution of forest vegetation and influencing factors provides valuable information to decision-makers in land planning, for the sustainable development of forests and efficient monitoring of environmental and ecological issues. This paper aims to understand the effect of topographic factors and lithology on forest cover distribution around Bin El Ouidane dam in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, using remote sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), field observation, and statistical analysis. The forest vegetation was quantified by calculating the Normalized Vegetation Difference Index (NDVI) from Operational Land Imager (OLI) images. The NDVI was classified according to the density of forest vegetation into four levels: bare soil, low density of forest cover, moderate density of forest cover, and high density of forest cover. The correlation analysis between NDVI, interpreted as forest densities and topographic parameters (elevation, slope, and aspect), derived from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), showed that elevation has the most significant positive correlation with forest density, with r = 0.563 and a p-value less than 0.05. Additionally, moderate and high densities of forest vegetation are optimal in the terrain aspect of the South-East and North-West, respectively. However, the NDVI variation cannot be interpreted only by altitude and terrain aspect. The Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification has been used to map and to separate the forest vegetation types. The statistical results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the altitude is the most important topographic factor affecting the distribution of forest species. The analysis of frequency histograms revealed that Holm oaks are increasing at high altitudes, and are more abundant in the North-West, while the Thuya species prefer moderate altitudes and are more abundant in the South-East-facing aspects. In our study area, the Holm oak develops on limestone formations. On the contrary, Thuya does not thrive in lithological conditions, and is found with a decreasing level of predominance on limestones, marls-limestones, and sandstones, respectively. The conclusion of the study shows that a combination of topographic factors and lithological conditions affects the spatial distribution of forest vegetation. The adaptation of the forest species to specific topography and lithological conditions should be considered for forest management. It can be helpful in selecting potential sites for reforestation of these species, for conservation of the natural resources, including water and soil.

了解森林植被空间分布与影响因素之间的关系，为土地规划决策者、森林可持续发展和环境生态问题的高效监测提供了宝贵的信息。本文旨在利用遥感、地理信息系统 (GIS)、实地观察和统计分析，了解地形因素和岩性对摩洛哥高阿特拉斯山脉 Bin El Ouidane 大坝周围森林覆盖分布的影响。通过从操作陆地成像仪 (OLI) 图像计算归一化植被差异指数 (NDVI)，对森林植被进行量化。NDVI根据森林植被密度分为四个等级：裸土、低密度森林覆盖、森林覆盖密度中等，森林覆盖密度高。NDVI（解释为森林密度）与源自数字高程模型 (DEM) 的地形参数（高程、坡度和坡向）之间的相关性分析表明，高程与森林密度的正相关性最显着，其中r  = 0.563 和p-值小于 0.05。此外，在东南和西北的地形方面，中等和高密度的森林植被分别是最佳的。然而，NDVI 变化不能仅通过海拔和地形方面来解释。光谱角度映射器 (SAM) 分类已用于绘制和分离森林植被类型。方差分析（ANOVA）的统计结果表明，海拔是影响森林物种分布的最重要的地形因素。频率直方图的分析表明，圣栎在高海拔地区增加，在西北地区更丰富，而 Thuya 树种更喜欢中等海拔地区，在面向东南的地区更丰富。在我们的研究区域，圣栎生长在石灰岩地层上。相反，Thuya 在岩性条件下不会茁壮成长，并且分别在石灰岩、泥灰岩和砂岩上的优势程度逐渐降低。研究结论表明，地形因素和岩性条件共同影响森林植被的空间分布。森林管理应考虑使森林物种适应特定的地形和岩性条件。它有助于选择重新造林这些物种的潜在地点，以保护自然资源，包括水和土壤。研究结论表明，地形因素和岩性条件共同影响森林植被的空间分布。森林管理应考虑使森林物种适应特定的地形和岩性条件。它有助于选择重新造林这些物种的潜在地点，以保护自然资源，包括水和土壤。研究结论表明，地形因素和岩性条件共同影响森林植被的空间分布。森林管理应考虑使森林物种适应特定的地形和岩性条件。它有助于选择重新造林这些物种的潜在地点，以保护自然资源，包括水和土壤。