Plant Biodiversity Of Agricultural Rest Areas (the Boumalek Region. North-east Algeria)
Auteurs : Louhi Haou Sihem . Becir Farida . Zaoui Same . Kachour Leila . Larhem Aicha-beya . Gheid Samira . Fellah Imen . Bergal Amira . Boumaaraf Warda . Djabali Nacira .
Résumé
Agricultural rest areas often harbor a high level of plant biodiversity, attracting the interest of ecologists concerned with wildlife conservation and forage agronomists focused on natural resources. This study aims to provide a comprehensive inventory of the floristic composition in an agricultural rest area adjacent to the Beryam cork oak forest in northeastern Algeria. The inventory was conducted using a phytoecological approach and a simple random sampling method, implemented through transects across the entire plot. A series of 25 m² quadrats were surveyed over two consecutive years (from spring 2016 to autumn 2017) to monitor the progression of floral succession. The results reveal that the area is particularly rich in legumes and Asteraceae, while typical forest herbs are sparsely represented. Notably, seedlings of shrub species were also observed scattered throughout the plot. The interpretation of these results indicates that the habitat supports significant floristic diversity, characterized by the presence of pioneer species associated with natural vegetation succession especially those from the nearby cork oak ecosystem. The floristic structure is organized into two clearly distinct groups. Following agricultural use, rest areas gradually resume their natural ecological succession. As floristic development unfolds over time (extending beyond a single year), the regenerating plant community begins to reflect the early-stage structure of the adjacent natural habitat. This ecological trajectory highlights the presence of both specific and functional biodiversity, underscoring the ecological value of these areas and the importance of their protection. Keywords: rest areas, biodiversity, phytoecology, ecological succession
Mots clés
biodiversity ; rest areas ; phytoecology ; ecological succession
