Syntaxonomic synopsis of the forest and tall scrub vegetation of Northern Algeria

Abstract

Abstract. This paper presents the first syntaxonomic conspectus of the forest and scrub communities of Northern Algeria. The communities belong mainly to the zonal classes such as the Quercetea ilicis, Quercetea pubescentis and Junipero-Pinetea sylvestris (new to Algeria). The Cytisetea scopario-striati and Nerio-Tamaricetea are considered intrazonal within the Mediterranean zone, while the Crataego-Prunetea considered intrazonal within the Temperate zone. The azonal vegetation is represented by four classes: Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae, Salicetea purpureae, Alnetea glutinosae, and Franguletea (the latter being recognised in Algeria for the first time). We attempted to include all known syntaxa as featured in both regular and grey literature; many of those still await effective publication or formal validation. The paper also presents formal descriptions (and/or validations) of one new order, 12 new alliances, and 15 new associations. Keywords: Algeria, forest vegetation, scrub vegetation, phytosociology, syntaxonomy.[es] Sinopsis sintaxonómica de los bosques y matorrales de alta talla de la vegetación del norte de ArgeliaResumen. Este trabajo presenta el primer esquema sintaxonómico de las comunidades forestales y de matorrales de alta talla del norte de Argelia. Las comunidades pertenecen principalmente a las clases zonales Quercetea ilicis, Quercetea pubescentis y Junipero-Pinetea sylvestris (nuevas en Argelia). Cytisetea scopario-striati y Nerio-Tamaricetea se consideran intrazonales dentro de la zona mediterránea, y Crataego-Prunetea intrazonal dentro de la zona templada. La vegetación azonal está representada por cuatro clases: Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae, Salicetea purpureae, Alnetea glutinosae y Franguletea (esta última se reconoce en Argelia por primera vez). Intentamos incluir toda la sintaxis conocida en publicaciones válidas e inéditas; por ello, muchos nombres todavía esperan una publicación efectiva o una validación formal. El documento también presenta descripciones formales (y / o validaciones) de un nuevo orden, 12 nuevas alianzas y 15 nuevas asociaciones.

Classification of the Mediterranean lowland to submontane pine forest vegetation

“…The European vegetation checklist (Mucina et al, 2016) does not include Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, where these pine (pre‐)forests occur. As highlighted first by Fennane (2003) and then by Meddour et al (2017), the syntaxonomical status of Quercetea ilicis and low‐grown matorral, macchia and garrigue ( Pistacio lentisci‐Rhamnetalia alaterni ) is unclear for the whole of North Africa, and a critical revision is needed. This alliance contributes to closing this gap.…”

Validation of associations, alliances and orders of the Algerian forest and scrub vegetation

“…Nomenclature and syntaxonomic notes: Meddour et al (2017) have introduced (ineffectively) a new name (Smilaco asperae-Pistacietum lentisci) based on Nègre's (1964) 'Association à Pistacia lentiscus et Olea europaea' to replace it because of an earlier, validly described name 'Oleo-Lentiscetum' (recte: Oleo-Pistacietum lentisci Molinier 1952or Oleo-Pistacietum lentisci Braun-Blanquet et al 1952; the priority of these two concepts has not been established yet). It appears that the mention of the name (in form of 'Oleo-Lentiscetum') dates back as early Maire (1926).…”

“…Since Mediterranean Botany, the seamless continuation of Lazaroa has a registered ISSN code, we publish (and/or validate) those ineffectively published syntaxa and some new names, here. Two of the syntaxa originally described in Meddour et al (2017), namely the Genisto quadriflorae-Pinetum halepensis and the Smilaco asperae-Pistacietum lentisci have been either validly described or been validated by Bonari et al (2021) and Paradis & Maurin (2017), respectively.…”

“…For the syntaxonomic classification of the validated syntaxa see Meddour et al (2017). Siab-Farsi in Meddour & Mucina all.…”

“…Nomenclature note: Siab-Farsi (2018), in her (unpublished) doctoral thesis, described a new alliance, the Osyrio quadripartitae-Tetraclinidion articulatae, to accommodate all forest syntaxa dominated by Tetraclinis articulata typical of the subhumid thermomediterranean vegetation belt. She has not referred to the ineffectively published Lonicero implexae-Quercion cocciferae Meddour, Meddour-Sahar, Zeraia & Mucina 2017. Siab-Farsi (2018) also suggested that this new alliance corresponds to another, invalidly described, suballiance, the Tetraclinido articulatae-Quercenion cocciferae Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999.…”