Response of Different Arid Rangelands to Protection and Drought

Abstract

The impacts of drought and soil type on vegetation dynamics of arid communal rangeland in southern Tunisia under rest technique are discussed. The response of plant communities to rest, under various climate conditions and soil types, was assessed in four communal arid rangelands of southern Tunisia during 3 years (2006/2007–2007/2008–2008/2009). Main results show that plant cover, richness, and diversity changes with soil and rainfall variations. Vegetation cover on loamy soil is more affected by drought than on the other soils. Plant diversity is affected by drought on all soils but more strongly on the limestone and loamy soil.