Soil-Vegetation Relationships of Saline Wetlands in North East of Algerian Sahara

Abstract

In this study, we conducted an ecological analysis of three saline wetlands in the region of Ouargla, which is located in north east of the Algerian Sahara, in order to understand the environmental factors controlling plant distribution. This study was based upon the quantitative analysis of vegetation and soil samples by the quadrat method. A total of 12 transects were investigated, and the parameters of vegetation such as density, cover, and Jaccard index as well as soil characteristics (electrical conductivity, moisture, and pH) were evaluated. Nine perennial species belonging to seven families were identified in the three studied habitats. Results of the Principal Component Analyses (PCA) showed that community structure and distributional pattern of species were mainly dependent on the salinity and moisture gradient. Halocnemum strobilaceum was observed to grow in highly salt-affected soils, thus being the most salt tolerant species. Phragmites communis was distributed widely in the study area. Aeluropus littoralis was detected throughout transects and was significantly correlated with soil salinity. Juncus maritimus, Sonchus maritimus, and Cynodon dactylon occupied mainly the wettest soils. Tamarix gallica was irregularly distributed in all the salt-affected habitats. Zygophyllum album was located in the outermost belt of vegetation, whereas Mollugo nudicaulis was observed only in the least salt-affected soils.