The objective of this study is to contribute in assessing and mapping of the salinity risks level of soil and groundwater for irrigation in the Mina plain. The experimentation was carried out on a surface area of 4000 ha. Electromagnetic conductivity (EM) measurements and soil and well water samples were taken and analysed. The results showed an important spatial variability of the electrical conductivity (EC) of saturated paste extracts (ECe), which varied between 1.35 and 28.8 dS/m. The isovalues map of ECe was estimated by the regression equation and interpolated by the ordinary kriging (OK) method which showed that the area of saline soils (ECe > 4 dS/m) represented 90% of the study area. The results also showed poor to unsuitable well water quality. To find the risk of salinity and sodium, the water points were classified as C3S3 (2.5%), C4S2 (5%), C4S3 (30%) and C4S4 (62.5%). Spatial distribution maps of total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity of water (ECw) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) interpolated by inverse distance weighting (IDW) showed too high risk levels of ECw (>5000 μS/cm) and TDS (>3000 mg/l) occupying a large wellfield (70%); with regard to SAR (>18), 36% of the groundwater had a high risk of sodium. These results showed that the choice of tolerant crops, redevelopment of drainage systems and irrigation with less saline water should be designed for the sustainability of soil productivity and agro-ecosystems.

The evaluation and monitoring of forest species provide a fundamental source of information for the implementation of effective and adapted conservation strategies for these species. The present study aims to determine the ecodendrometric characterisation of even-aged stone pine stands in the region of Mostaganem (western Algeria). Seventy-two temporary plots (1,151 trees) of circular shape with a surface area of (4–6 a) were installed according to age and density in stands that were as regular as possible. These plots were subjected to a complete dendrometric inventory (total height, crown diameter, circumference at 1.3 m, age, etc.) and an ecological description (soil depth, altitude, aspect and slope). It was found that this species is characterised by a regular structure forming young populations. Relationships between parameters such as mean total height/mean circumference, mean crown diameter/diameter at 1.3 m and basal area/mean crown diameter were very positive and significant. The ecodendrometric data was processed by a multivariate principal component analysis, which revealed the effect of altitude, especially soil depth, on stone pine production.