Le Genévrier thurifère (Juniperus thurifera L.) dans les Aurès, Algérie : considérations générales, cartographie, écologie et groupements végétaux

Abstract

The present contribution focus on the thuriferous Juniper (Juniperus thurifera L.) in the Aurès region (Eastern of Algeria) Algeria. It results from the synthesis of different approaches such as cartography, floristic diversity, and ecology concerning various localities. Structure and physiognomy parameters revealed a frequent multi-stemmed architecture with a conical morphotype when branches were protected from damages. The correspondences analysis highlighted two gradients : physiognomy and altitude. However, associated plants could be discriminated in four plant communities whose determinism is closely related to anthropogenic action. A further analysis of the biological spec- trum confirms these results : therophytisation was more intense at low altitude. Given the magnitude of anthropogenic threats faced by forest formations of the Aurès, especially those of Juniperus thurifera, it’s time to quickly implement a more efficient conservation and sustainable development policy for protecting this threatened tree.

Cedar vascular flora of Djebel Maadid. Floristic analysis – Conservation

“…However, in the main forest of the studied cedar's stations (Tellian and Saharan Atlas), as reported by Yahi et al (2008), the pattern is: He > Th > Ch > Ph > Ge. The dominance of the lifeforms Therophyte and Hemicryptophyte in our case study aligns with the findings of Beghami et al (2013) in their work on thuriferous Juniper (Juniperus thurifera L.) in the Aurès area (Algeria), specifically concerning the species of the forestry community Cedar-Thuriferous Juniper localized at high altitudes. This observation reflects the specific characteristics of the species and the prevailing ecological conditions in our study area: -Species requirements and plant growth: temperature necessities, moisture availability, altitude and soil depth.…”

“…The Perturbation Index (PI) is a measure that depends on the number of therophytes and chamaephytes, providing a quantification of therophytization in an environment (LOISEL, GAMILA, 1993). In our case study, with 46 therophytes and 14 chamaephytes, the calculated PI is 55.56%.This value is higher compared to the works of Beghami et al (2013) : PI= 55,26 to 61,86 % for the degraded formations and 28,13 to 45,50 % for the least ones; Bounab (2020): PI= 57,75 ± 1,48 %; Yaici (2020) and Guechi (2022) gave each a PI = 40%; and finally Larbi et al (2021): PI= 27%. These differences may be explain the local conditions, the management practices, and the ecological contexts.…”

“…-Anthropogenic activities: trampling, overgrazing, harvesting of interest plants, habitat loss and conversion, degradation and fragmentation of lands, fires and wild camping, and illegal logging. -The state of the community, characterized as having sylvatic physiognomy (BEGHAMI et al, 2013),…”

What happens to species at the rear‐edge of their distribution in arid regions? The case of Juniperus thurifera L. in the Aurès Mountains (Algeria)

“…These stands are associated with upper semi‐arid and lower sub‐humid bioclimates (Abdessemed, 1984b). Algerian J. thurifera woodlands shelter a remarkable range of flora, comprising for the main part native Mediterranean taxa with a non‐negligible rate of endemism, underlining the importance of this habitat (Beghami et al, 2013).…”

“…Nowadays, the species is only found in the Aurès Mountains (Figure 1), where the most isolated and confined populations of the whole range occur. They occupy an area of 8500 ha (Source: Forest Conservation of Batna, 2018), and grow in low-density open woodlands on calcareous substrates with steppic shrub strata (Abdessemed, 1984b;Beghami et al, 2013;Gauquelin et al, 1999). Arboreal species cohabitating with thuriferous juniper vary from site to site; Quercus ilex L., Cedrus atlantica (Endl.)…”