Variations saisonnières de quelques attributs structuraux des écosystèmes des Monts de Matmata en Tunisie méridionale sous l'effet de la sécheresse et de l'action anthropozoïque

Salem, Farah Ben; Tarhouni, Mohamed; Belgacem, Azaiez Ouled; Neffati, Mohamed

doi:10.1684/sec.2009.0184

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The perennials are increasing inside the park in 2019. These results corroborate the findings of some authors considering that a decline in perennials is a good indicator of degradation of plant cover (Tarhouni et al, 2006).…”

Section: Re Sults and Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Assessment of desert plant communities under protection: Case of Dghoumes national park, southern Tunisia

et al. 2020

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Section: Re Sults and Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Assessment of desert plant communities under protection: Case of Dghoumes national park, southern Tunisia

et al. 2020

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“…In addition, an increase in grazing pressure is responsible for changes in the composition of vegetation (Metzger et al 2005;Westbrooke et al 2005). The high perennial richness shows a good phyto-ecological balance at the three studied sites, and supports the results of Ben Salem et al (2009) concerning the same montane region. This may indicate a higher capacity of mountain ecosystems to withstand drought and disturbance.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Community diversity, functional traits and adaptation of Stipa tenacissima L. under different grazing regimes in a North African arid montane rangeland

Msadek

Tlili

Moumni

et al. 2021

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

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Rangelands represent about one-third of terrestrial ecosystems around the world (Ellis and Ramankutty 2008). They provide many ecosystem services, such as forage resources, water infiltration and storage, erosion control, wildlife habitat, biodiversity and carbon sequestration (Vecchio et al. 2019). Tunisia, along with other countries in northern Africa, is currently facing degradation and desertification of its most fragile ecosystems, including the arid rangelands. The natural vegetal cover in these ecosystems is subject to several constraints related to edapho-climatic conditions and human activities, which affect the biophysical environment. Human pressure causes various disturbances that considerably modify the structure and the functioning of these ecosystems. For example, overgrazing is leading to the rarefaction or disappearance of the most palatable plant species and the spread of unpalatable ones (Tarhouni et al. 2010; Ouled Belgacem and Louhaichi 2013; Louhaichi et al. 2019). These degraded rangelands could be remediated by the application of appropriate management techniques, such as restoration and rehabilitation that provide sufficient capacity to these disturbed ecosystems to allow them to regenerate (Ouled Belgacem et al. 2008). The dominant perennial Poaceae in southern Tunisia, and specifically in the montane rangeland chain of Matmata, is Stipa tenacissima L. This key plant species is used as fodder for local herds, particularly in seasons of low productivity or during dry years (Aloui 2006). In addition, the local population use leaves of this species for traditional practices, such as some artefacts (baskets, strings and shoes). Such uses are the main biotic cause of degradation that threatens the natural vegetation cover in this area. In addition to human pressures, S. tenacissima is subject to many abiotic climate or soil stresses. Over the next 50 years, Ben Mariem and Chaieb (2017) forecast a negative impact of climate on S. tenacissima ecosystems, due to severe loss of suitable habitats. To promote sustainability in these unique ecosystems, it is important to apply effective management regimes and to assess the adaptability of functional traits of the dominant plant species. The most common regime is to fence off areas to prevent grazing, but this can negatively affect plants and their communities (Tarhouni et al. 2017a, 2017b). Studies have shown that seasonal grazing, including strategic rest periods, is generally better for rangelands than long-term exclusion (Ouled Belgacem et al. 2019). In order to evaluate the vegetation behaviour and highlight adaptations to intense grazing, it is important to understand and predict plant responses through their functional traits that are easy to measure. In fact, some traits associated with resource acquisition, such as SLA (specific leaf area), LDMC (leaf dry matter content) and LA (leaf area), can provide important insights to the adaptation of plants to grazing (Diaz et al. 2001). This study aims to predict and evaluate the effect of three gra...

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“…In Tunisia, cereals and their derivatives constitute the base of all diets and the main source of calories. Tunisia’s average rate of wheat consumption per capita is 184 kg per year, making Tunisia one of the largest wheat consumers in the world, a rate which is expected to remain at the same level in the coming years [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Tunisian Trichoderma Isolates on Wheat Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Fusarium Seedling Blight Suppression

et al. 2023

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Beneficial microorganisms, including members of the Trichoderma genus, are known for their ability to promote plant growth and disease resistance, as well as being alternatives to synthetic inputs in agriculture. In this study, 111 Trichoderma strains were isolated from the rhizospheric soil of Florence Aurore, an ancient wheat variety that was cultivated in an organic farming system in Tunisia. A preliminary ITS analysis allowed us to cluster these 111 isolates into three main groups, T. harzianum (74 isolates), T. lixii (16 isolates) and T. sp. (21 isolates), represented by six different species. Their multi-locus analysis (tef1, translation elongation factor 1; rpb2, RNA polymerase B) identified three T. afroharzianum, one T. lixii, one T. atrobrunneum and one T. lentinulae species. These six new strains were selected to determine their suitability as plant growth promoters (PGP) and biocontrol agents (BCA) against Fusarium seedling blight disease (FSB) in wheat caused by Fusarium culmorum. All of the strains exhibited PGP abilities correlated to ammonia and indole-like compound production. In terms of biocontrol activity, all of the strains inhibited the development of F. culmorum in vitro, which is linked to the production of lytic enzymes, as well as diffusible and volatile organic compounds. An in planta assay was carried out on the seeds of a Tunisian modern wheat variety (Khiar) by coating them with Trichoderma. A significant increase in biomass was observed, which is associated with increased chlorophyll and nitrogen. An FSB bioprotective effect was confirmed for all strains (with Th01 being the most effective) by suppressing morbid symptoms in germinated seeds and seedlings, as well as by limiting F. culmorum aggressiveness on overall plant growth. Plant transcriptome analysis revealed that the isolates triggered several SA- and JA-dependent defense-encoding genes involved in F. culmorum resistance in the roots and leaves of three-week-old seedlings. This finding makes these strains very promising in promoting growth and controlling FSB disease in modern wheat varieties.

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Variations saisonnières de quelques attributs structuraux des écosystèmes des Monts de Matmata en Tunisie méridionale sous l'effet de la sécheresse et de l'action anthropozoïque

Cited by 6 publications

References 8 publications

Assessment of desert plant communities under protection: Case of Dghoumes national park, southern Tunisia

Assessment of desert plant communities under protection: Case of Dghoumes national park, southern Tunisia

Community diversity, functional traits and adaptation of Stipa tenacissima L. under different grazing regimes in a North African arid montane rangeland

Assessment of Tunisian Trichoderma Isolates on Wheat Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Fusarium Seedling Blight Suppression

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