Effect the exclosure on plant diversity of the Hammada scoparia steppe in the Naama steppe courses (Algeria)

Benaradj, A., et al., 2011. Journal of Materials and Environmental Science

Original research (primary data)
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Abstract

The analysis of ecological data is certainly a preliminary for first class understanding of ecosystem functioning and environmental design. Our work is to provide a fine phytoecological analysis based on the dynamics of vegetation and floristic inventories. The Steppe south Oranian of Naama (Algeria) at Remth (Hammada scoparia) is a representative example of arid threatened areas by the scourge of desertification, a strong human pressure and climatic constraints. It occupies the southern foothills of the Saharan Atlas, glacis and hamadas of the northern part of the Sahara where this species seems to find an optimum development in shallow soil, mostly in sandy loam texture, under lower arid and Saharan climate (isohyet between 100 and 150 mm). To overcome the degradation, actions and measures for rehabilitation and restoration will be considered using the most appropriate techniques of pastoral arrangements. Among these pasture improvement techniques, there is the exclosure technique (fencing). The objective of this latter is to encourage natural regeneration, the best to induce the recovery of natural biological steppe. Following this assessment, rehabilitation by the technique of exclosure the Hammada scoparia steppe has a positive impact on biological recovery by quantitative and qualitative increase in the rate of recovery of vegetation, flora richness and of phytomass. Floristic diversity of the Hammada scoparia steppe is very special because of its biological, systematic and phytogeographic characterization. This review underscores the importance of Saharan-endemic species thanks to a more favorable adaptation and resistance under arid bioclimate.

Case studies

Basic information

  • Case ID: INT-142-1
  • Intervention type: Combination
  • Intervention description:

    32 sites of exclosure, or 18% of the grazing courses of the wilaya; use fencing to eliminate human and animal disturbances

  • Landscape/sea scape ecosystem management: Yes
  • Climate change impacts Effect of Nbs on CCI Effect measures
    Loss of food production  Positive total vegetation recovery rate (%), number of pasture species recovered
  • Approach implemented in the field: Yes
  • Specific location:

    The study area is part of the high steppe plains south of Oran, it lies between 32 ° 08'45 "and 34°22'13" north and 0°36'45 "is at 0 ° 46 '05" West.

  • Country: Algeria
  • Habitat/Biome type: Montane/Alpine |
  • Issue specific term: Not applicable

Evidence

  • Notes on intervention effectivness: Effectiveness determined by comparing to areas outside of exclosures subject to free grazing (control) "The exclosure allows a quantitative and qualitative increase in floristic richness, a development of pasture species including therophytes. This gives a significant plant biomass, and a relatively high vegetation cover. The floristic composition is very diverse. It encouraged the relocation and re-emergence of species threatened with extinction."
  • Is the assessment original?: Yes
  • Broadtype of intervention considered: Not applicable
  • Compare effectivness?: No
  • Compared to the non-NBS approach: Not applicable
  • Report greenhouse gas mitigation?: No
  • Impacts on GHG: Not applicable
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on natural ecosystems: Yes
  • Impacts for the ecosystem: Positive
  • Ecosystem measures: vegetation recovery (%), recovery of endangered species, species diversity
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on people: No
  • Impacts for people: Not reported
  • People measures:
  • Considers economic costs: No
  • Economic appraisal conducted: No
  • Economic appraisal described:
  • Economic costs of alternative considered: No
  • Compared to an alternative: Not reported

Evaluation methodology

  • Type of data: Quantitative
  • Is it experimental: Yes
  • Experimental evalution done: In-situ/field
  • Non-experimental evalution done: Not applicable
  • Study is systematic: