Wildfire effects on Pinus halepensis Mill. plantations in a semi-arid region of north-eastern Algeria. A case study of Zenadia forest, Sétif

Abstract

Fire is considered as the most important factor responsible for the diminution of Algerian forested area. Every year, thousands of hectares of vegetation burn affecting different species. The natural Aleppo pine forests have been the most affected, but recently, fire tends to affect also the planted forests. The effect of fire on Aleppo pine natural stands is well documented ; however, there is a lack of knowledge on planted ones. The objectives of this paper were to assess the fire effects on Pinus halepensis plantations in northern Algeria in terms of floristic diversity and pine regeneration. Floristic diversity surveys were performed three years after fire in burned and unburned plots, using the Braun-Blanquet method. Additionally, the number and height of P. halepensis seedlings were assessed and continued to be monitored in the best regenerated area four, six, eight, and ten years after fire occurrence. The floristic surveys performed showed large differences between the unburned and the burned plots, both in terms of vegetation structure and plant diversity. Three years after fire, the burned plots were dominated by an herbaceous layer and had a much higher floristic richness when compared with the unburned plots. Pine regeneration was absent in the unburned area, while in the burned area it reached up to nearly three seedlings per m2 after three years. Seedling density decreased over time while maximum height increased up to two meters ten years after fire. Our results suggest that prescribed burning, associated to selective logging, could be an interesting management tool to explore in these artificial stands. This could create forest gaps that would permit the natural regeneration of Aleppo pine and others species, favouring multi-strata forest and biodiversity.