Predicting suitable habitats of the major forest trees in the Saïda region (Algeria): A reliable reforestation tool

Abstract

Modeling potential habitat for plant species is an appropriate approach to maintain biodiversity, developing proper reforestation campaigns, and rehabilitating ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the potential distributions of four forest species, namely, Quercus faginea Lam.; Q. ilex L.; Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast.; and Pistacia atlantica Desf. In the north-western Algeria at Saïda region. The MAXENT method was used to model the habitats of these species using topographic data as predictive variables at a resolution of 100 m. Moreover, the model evaluation process was achieved using the area under the operating characteristic curve of the receiver (AUC) and Jackknife test. The generated models were found to be accurate. AUC results are ranging between 0.98 and 0.91 for the training set and 0.87 and 0.97 for the testing set. The results of the distribution probability of this study provide a useful tool for the local decision-makers of reforestation campaigns.

Floristic and Ecological Study of Erica arborea L. in the Western of Algeria

“…, the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group 2016 by byng and al [ 25 ] and the North African synonym index by Dobignard and Chatelain (2010-2013) [ 26 ] for updating the flora. Using the modified TWINSPAN method, integrated into the JUICE 7.0 program [ 27 ] . We calculated for each survey the following diversity indices: Shannon Wiener Index, Simpson's Index, Pielou J' Equitability Index and Disturbance Index.…”

“…This index considers the number of species and the regularity of the species. The index is increased either by having more unique species or by having greater uniformity [ 27 ] , its value is between 0 bits and 5 bits per specie.…”

Effect of Salinity and Drought on the Germination of Lygeum spartum L. in the Region of Saïda (Western Algerian Steppe)

“…These factors lead to desertification, which requires a better understanding of how to combat this scourge and adapt appropriate management strategies (Haddouche et al, 2011;Nedjimi, Brahim, 2012). During the last decades, the steppe rangelands of the Algerian high plains have been marked by intense degradation affecting the vegetation cover and biodiversity and altering the soil quality (Borsali et al, 2018;Zouidi et al, 2018;Djebbouri et al, 2022). At the beginning of this degradation, the most perceptible changes are those that affect certain dominant perennial plants ensuring the physiognomy of these rangelands, such as the four steppe formations (Alfa, Armoise, Sparte and Remth).…”