The vulnerability of native rangeland plant species to global climate change in the West Asia and North African regions

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of climate change on the geographical distribution of selected native species from two areas from West Asia and North Africa. Three species representing two genera were selected for assessment of their vulnerability to climate change. The first species was Salsola vermiculata L. which is common to both study areas. The second genus was represented by two species, Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge from the Syrian rangelands and H. schmittianum Pomel from southern Tunisia. To assess the vulnerability of these species to climate change we used ecological-based models. The data inputs were composed of the species occurrence data and the environmental data which included eight climatic layers, three soil property layers in addition to an altitude layer. Since environmental parameters only enable assessing the sensitivity of target species to climate change, a grazing pressure layer was used to assess the species vulnerability. Only climatic parameters were considered as changing across three periods; current situation, 2020 and 2050. The main results indicated that threatened range species, such as S. vermiculata which were subjected to continuous grazing pressure, showed high vulnerability to climate change as expressed by the predicted decrease in the areas of their distribution. However, species with low palatability and broad ecological niches (i.e. H. salicornicum and H. schmittianum) had an advantage due to the reduced competition for water and nutrients. An adaptation strategy to increase the resilience of the most vulnerable species should involve management of grazing pressure and the establishment of other mitigation measures.

Perianth colour dimorphism is related to germination properties and salinity tolerance in Salsola vermiculata in the Arabian deserts

“…Overgrazing has led to the species being listed as threatened in Saudi Arabia (Assaeed 2001). The species has low genetic diversity and short seed dispersal distance, making it highly vulnerable to climate change (Belgacem and Louhaichi 2013). Seed viability deteriorates rapidly under natural conditions (Creager 1988, Assaeed 2001, Niane et al 2013.…”

Long‐Term Changes in Plant Life Forms as a Consequence of Grazing Exclusion under Arid Climatic Conditions

“…Since 2003/2004, the very dry year's frequency increased with a trend of reduced precipitation. These rainfall variations blocked plant germination, reduced vegetation cover and lead to soil degradation and erosion after plant disappearance (Floret et al , ; Ouled Belgacem & Louhaichi, ).…”

Impacts of bracteole removal and seeding rate on seedling emergence of halophyte shrubs: implications for rangeland rehabilitation in arid environments

“…Most rangelands in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region are poorly managed, resulting in land degradation, reduced productivity, and loss of plant biodiversity (Hudson et al 2017). Overgrazing, conversion of rangelands into rainfed cropping systems, land tenure issues, and climate change are major drivers for this degradation (Ates and Louhaichi 2012;Ouled Belgacem and Louhaichi 2013). Several government agencies have becoming increasingly aware of the magnitude of the problem and strive to provide solutions to address rangeland degradation.…”