Testudo graeca graeca feeding ecology in an arid and overgrazed zone in Morocco

Grazing response in the vegetation communities of the Kamiesberg, South Africa: Adopting a plant functional type approach

“…Plant functional type 2 also has the vast majority of lobed and compound-leaved perennials, which in this system are predominantly members of the Fabaceae, known for their nutritional value and palatability (El Mouden et al, 2006). The presence of these species, along with others, accounts for the moderate to highpalatability of this group.…”

Crop cultivation and intensive grazing affect organic C pools and aggregate stability in arid grassland soil

“…Cultivation and overgrazing are the major causes of grassland degradation in the arid and semi-arid regions of northern China (Li et al, 2000(Li et al, , 2005Su et al, 2004), and other parts of the world (e.g., Nasrallah and Balling, 1994;Ayoub, 1998;Khresat et al, 1998;Abril and Bucher, 2001;El Mouden et al, 2006). Crop cultivation www.elsevier.com/locate/still Soil & Tillage Research 95 (2007) [172][173][174][175][176][177][178][179][180][181] generally depletes soil organic C due to accelerated mineralization, leaching, translocation and erosion (Lal, 2002), and reduces aggregate stability as a result of organic matter loss and tillage breakage (Bronick and Lal, 2005).…”

Bushes protect tortoises from lethal overheating in arid areas of Morocco

“…Climate data were obtained from the meteorological station at Sidi Bou Othmane and from the MétéoMaroc website (see http://www.meteomaroc.com). The vegetation of the Jbilet mountains is typical of the arid steppes that cover important areas of Morocco, being characterized by the presence of spiny shrubs, mainly jujube (Ziziphus lotus) and acacia bushes (Acacia gummifera), with retams (Retama monosperma) representing the main non-spiny bushes El Mouden et al 2006;Louzizi 2006). An ephemeral herbaceous layer grows following late winter and spring rainfalls, essentially under the spiny bushes, where the impact of overgrazing is attenuated and where localized patches of soil persist.…”

“…Morphological and ecological characteristics of Testudo graeca soussensis in the Jbilet mountains have been previously assessed (Slimani et al 2001;Ben Kaddour 2005;El Mouden et al 2006;Lagarde et al 2008;Sereau et al 2010). This species is diurnal, exhibits a peak of activity in spring (main period of sexual activity), and forages on various ephemeron herbaceous plant species that develop following late winter and early spring rainfalls.…”

“…Owing to habitat changes and to overcollection for the tourist trade, the once flourishing tortoise populations of Morocco have also drastically declined (Bayley & Highfield 1996;Slimani et al 2001Slimani et al , 2006El Mouden et al 2006).…”