Effects of deferring grazing on the floristic diversity of Stipa tenacissima Loefl. ex L. rangelands in central Algerian steppe

Abstract

The present work aims to study the effect of deferring grazing on the floristic diversity of Stipa tenacissima Loefl. ex L. rangelands in the central Algerian steppe in two different bioclimatic stages, namely semi‐arid and arid. This work is part of a perspective to know the floristic characteristics of an area excluded from grazing and an unrestricted rangeland, in two different environments in order to highlight the factors that are conceivably responsible for the diversification of flora in the steppe ecosystems. In the present study, a number of 96 floristic surveys were performed during the spring season of the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The methodology adopted is a subjective sampling. The minimum area retained is 100 m2 defined by the method of Braun Blanquet and de Bolos (1957, Annales Estacion Experimental de Aula Dei, 5, 266). This method has been used to study the floristic diversity represented by the floristic richness, Shannon index, the equitability, the biological and the phytochoric type. The climatic correction according to the altitudinal gradient was applied to determine the bioclimatic stage. The results from the surveys indicate that the rangelands at the studied sites contain 109 species, 27 families and 63 genera out of which 79 species and 22 families are in the semi‐arid bioclimatic stage. A two‐way analysis of variance was employed to examine the effect of the bioclimatic stage and the pasture land put at rest. Variance analysis of the diversity indices showed that the bioclimatic stage has a significant impact on the floristic richness and flora diversity of the S. tenacissima steppe (p ≤ 0.01) with a 5% threshold; on the other hand, the protection of these ecosystems does not have a remarkable influence on the floristic diversity (p > 0.05). In recent years, climatic disturbances have resulted in changes in vegetation, even in rested areas located between the study localities.

Influence of edaphic factors on the structure and distribution of plant species in and around Mekeiman Marsh Wetland, Northeast of Algeria

“…In Algeria, some studies (Benabadji et al 2007;Djaballah and Chehma 2008;Kazi-Tani et al 2010) highlighted the dominance of Compositae and Poaceae in semi-arid regions. Similar results were also reported by Korichi (2016); Rahmoune (2018) and Bekai et al (2019) in northeast of Algeria. Our results are consistent with their results.…”

“…In addition, the second component (PC2, 33.89%) is characterized by a positive correlation with C/N, Active limestone, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Clay and negative with Organic matter and Sand favoring the growth of species like G.ato, G.lal, J.uco, S.tte, M.asy, S.evu, P.eha, S.ima, T.yan, V.isa, V.umy, Z.ilo, T.aca and P.hau in station (1) (Figure 4, Table 2). The number of plant species reported in this study seems very interesting compared to that obtained by some authors in similar ecosystem in northeast of Algeria; including Korichi (2016) with 66 species, Yabrir et al (2018) with 84 species and Bekai et al (2019) with 106 species. This inventory reflects a diversity that is already well recorded for semi-arid regions of Algeria.…”

Floristic diversity of steppe vegetation in the region of Djelfa, North-West Algeria

“…These taxa belongs to Algerian-Moroccan (5 taxa) and North African elements (9 taxa). The number of endemic species reported in this study is quite low compared to the endemic taxon richness of these regions (Bekai et al, 2019). Indeed, an important reduction of the rates of endemic taxa in the steppe area was observed by the previous studies (Kadi-Hanifi, 2003;Abdelmoumen & Zoheir, 2015;Nacère et al, 2016).…”

“…In the region of Djelfa, the study of Djaballah & Chehma (2008) about the floristic and nutritional characteristics of the steppe rangelands mention the dominance of the same families in the most stations. It is also the case in the studies published by Korichi (2016), Maamri (2016), Rahmoune (2018), Benalia et al (2018) and Bekai et al (2019) in the same region.…”

“…So, in order to contribute to better conservation of these very sensitive natural spaces, a deeper knowledge of the biodiversity of these areas is essential. Unfortunately, and despite several floristic studies published recently for the region of Djelfa (Korichi, 2016;Maamri, 2016;Rahmoune, 2018;Benalia et al, 2018;Bekai et al, 2019), the floristic knowledge on this area is still insufficient, while several endemic and rare taxa cited in this region since the colonial period there has not been observed, namely: Erodium hymenodes L'Her., Echium suffruticosum Baratte., Celsia battandieri Murb. Bellium rotundifolium (Desf.)…”