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Desertification in the Maghreb: A Case Study of an Algerian High-Plain Steppe

  • Conference paper
Environmental Challenges in the Mediterranean 2000–2050

Part of the book series: NATO Science Series ((NAIV,volume 37))

Abstract

Natural and semi-natural ecosystems of the Maghreb have been subject, for several centuries, to grazing and cultivation as dominant land-uses. Living in a Mediterranean climate which is generally arid, plant, animal and human populations developed diverse adaptive strategies to cope with such rough conditions. Forests and rangelands have been undermined by erratic droughts that seem to be becoming more frequent. During the last two or three decades, vegetation and soil resources, in particular those of arid lands, have been marked by a rapid and severe degradation. The major changes observed were the regression of perennial plants (ligneous and grasses) and sand encroachment that are recognised to be relevant indicators of desertification in North Africa and the Middle East rangelands. A brief overall view of the Maghreb is given and illustrated by an example from the steppe rangelands dominated by alfa-grass (Stipa tenacissima L.) as a case study. The basic results of long term monitoring of what was originally a typical and dense steppe of the arid High Plains of Algeria have shown that alfa steppes have nearly disappeared from pediment surfaces since the 1980s. Causes are multiple but overgrazing remains in the present case, the main and direct origin of degradation because of diverse social and economic reasons, human population and need increases and increases in sheep grazing pressure. Irreversible changes were assessed using a grazing gradient approach. The gradient was represented by a transect starting from a long-term ungrazed exclosure, representing the pre-existing system and ending at free grazed rangelands. The monitored alfa stand showed, at the beginning of the study, a high homogeneity of vegetation and soil features. Vegetation pattern was a mosaic with individual tussocks and interstitial bare soil. The long term monitoring showed significant changes of the dominant species phytomass, plant composition and diversity and soil characteristics. The results, showing a regressive trend of the principal attributes of the vital ecosystem, could be generalized to all steppe habitats that had been originally dominated by alfa-grass. The aim of this work is to improve knowledge about extent, causes and mechanisms of desertification in order to direct restoration and rehabilitation actions.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d’Ecologie et Environnement, Univ. Sci. Technol. H. Boumédiene, El Alia, 16111, Algiers

    H. Slimani

  2. UMR, UMR 6553 (Bat 14A), Dynamique des Communautés, Univ. Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042, Rennes cedex, France

    A. Aidoud

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  1. H. Slimani
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  2. A. Aidoud
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of International Studies, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain

    Antonio Marquina

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Slimani, H., Aidoud, A. (2004). Desertification in the Maghreb: A Case Study of an Algerian High-Plain Steppe. In: Marquina, A. (eds) Environmental Challenges in the Mediterranean 2000–2050. NATO Science Series, vol 37. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0973-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0973-7_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-1949-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-0973-7

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