Analysis of rare and endemic flora in northeastern Algeria: the case of the wilaya of Souk Ahras

Abstract

Scarcity and endemism are considered the most important concepts of a region’s biodiversity and conservation. Nevertheless, our understanding of the models of scarcity and endemism is limited to high biodiversity regions as, for example, the wilaya of Souk Ahras, northeastern Algeria. In this study, we have compiled a list of all heritage species, their taxonomic composition, and geographic distribution. A total of 119 species was documented, and their distribution was as analyzed in the biological environments of two distinct phytogeographic sectors — C1 and H2. The rate of scarcity and endemism increased alongside the organic matter richness and, as a result, the forest and pre-forest area supported an over-representation of these species. The preservation of this biodiversity, exceptional and threatened, urgently requires appropriate scientific studies and environmental protection as short term measures.

The Wetlands of Northeastern Algeria (Guelma and Souk Ahras): Stakes for the Conservation of Regional Biodiversity

“…According to estimates by Kafi et al (2015) [33], this region has approximately 199,240 ha of forest cover, primarily composed of Quercus suber L., Q. canariensis Willd., Pinus halepensis Mill. and P. pinaster Aiton [30,34], contributing to its remarkable richness. The meteorological stations of Guelma and Souk Ahras have provided annual climate readings for the period (2019-2023) with precipitation ranging between 420 and 425 mm Land 2024, 13, 210 3 of 22 for the GZE, GZN, TRC, TRN, and MJN wetlands and 698 and 700 mm for MTG, BTH, TAR and BRG.…”

“…The floristic richness of these ponds, totaling 317 taxa, surpasses the diversity recorded in studies by Allem et al (2017) [19] in temporary ponds in Annaba, those conducted by Fetnaci et al (2019) [16] in Fetzara Lake, Ali Tatar et al (2023) [87] in peat ponds of small Kabylia and Ferchichi et al (2014) [15] in the Mogods region (northern Tunisia). This species richness is attributed to the diversity of habitats across the 9 water ponds, comprising stagnant and flowing water ponds under humid, sub-humid, and semi-arid climates, ranging in altitude from 500 m above sea level to 1100 m above sea level [30].…”

“…Although in-depth research has been conducted on ecosystems in these territories, such as in the forests and coastal areas of Numidia [21][22][23][24] or Fetzara lake [16], little attention has been given to temporary wetland ecosystems [19,25]. The recent discovery of new species in northeastern Algeria, uncommon on a Mediterranean scale [26][27][28][29][30], motivates this study focused on the temporary wetlands of the Souk Ahras and Guelma regions.…”

Cartography and spatial distribution of the genus Pistacia in Souk Ahras, Northeast Algeria

“…The Wilaya of Souk-Ahras is limited to the north by the Wilayas of El-Taraf and Guelma, to the west by the Wilaya of Oum El, Bouaghi, to the south by the Wilaya of Tébessa, and to the east by Tunisia (Touati et al 2021) (Fig. 1).…”

“…This wooded area is made up of a forest of Aleppo pine forming the dominant level, with the undergrowth of Holm Oak (Quercus rotundifolia Lam.) which is bushily mixed with the usual secondary species (Ganaoui et al 2020;Touati et al 2021).…”