Analysis of the floristic diversity in a southern Mediterranean ecosystem. Case of Bissa forest, Chlef (Algeria)

Nabila Zemmar,Fatima Belhacini,Adda Ababou,Mahfoud M’Hammedi Bouzina,Djahida Hadidi

doi:10.5209/bocm.64447

Abstract

The forest of Bissa is a Mediterranean ecosystem, characterized by a high floristic diversity. In order to assess the floristic diversity in this forest, 133 floristic readings were conducted in this area between 2013 and 2017. As a result, it was possible to identify 151 species, 125 genus and 54 botanical families, with a clear dominance of Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. Biologically, this ecosystem was mainly dominated by therophytes (37%). Physiognomically, the phanerophytes were the most dominant types, whereas in term of phytogeography this forest was dominated by the Mediterranean type (50%). According to Shannon-Winner index, this area was characterized by a relatively low diversity (1.3 bit / ind), with a clear dominance of a few species. Finally this forest was relatively disturbed (42%) and under a strong anthropozoic influence.

Highlights

Biodiversity is a hot topic that is receiving more and more attention, it refers to diversity within species, between species and between ecosystems (Baillie & Upham 2012)
In opposition to most of the cork oak woodlands located in the humid and sub-humid areas in the north-eastern part of Algeria, the forest of Bissa is one of very few cork oak forests in the north-western part of this country, characterized by its high floristic diversity compared to the surrounding areas
In contrast to the biological spectrum, the species cover weighting revealed a clear preponderance of phanerophytes; up to 88% of all the biological types present in this forest, while the remaining biological types were insignificantly represented with 4% of geophytes, 3% of therophytes and hemicryptophytes and only 2% of chamaephytes (Figure 4)

Summary

Introduction

Biodiversity is a hot topic that is receiving more and more attention, it refers to diversity within species, between species and between ecosystems (Baillie & Upham 2012). The recent worldwide decline in the biodiversity is considered by many specialists as an irreversible process which puts at risk the future of the humanity (Abdelguerfi & Ramdane 2003). The assessment of this natural wealth has been the subject of several studies during the last decades (Sedjar 2012; Abdourhamane et al 2013; Merioua et al 2013; Benkhettou et al 2015; Larbi 2015; Slimani & Aidoud 2018).

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion