biological diversity and tropical forests in tunisia - PART

forage plants that have
Graminees :
Papilionaceaes:
Cruciferae:
Ulmaceae:
2.3.2. Species in Need
Of the 406 rare and
dimicished to the point
become uncommon in Tunisia, such as:
Themeda triandra
Festuca dryme ja
Bonjeania recta
Onobrychis argentea africana
Anthyllis barba- jovis
Brassica cretica ssp. atlantica
Celtis australis
of Protection
very rare plants in Tunisia, some have been
that they merit special protection measures to
prevent their disappearance from the country. a he preservation of a
species in a country requires more than just saving some specimens in
gardens or artificial reserves; the characteristic ecosystem and
associated plants must also be preserved in an area large enough to ensure
genetic viability.
Tree species are somewhat difficult to preserve or expand in Tunisia,
due to thc great demand for fuelwood and fodder. However. certain species
have been reduced to scattered groves and their continued presence in
Tunisia is uncertaic unless assistance is given.
Acacia raddiana is a highly palatable tree species. During the Roman
era the entire south of Tunisia was covered by acacias in the plains,
giving it an appearance similar to Sudan or sub-Saharan Africa (P. Boudy
in: ORSTOM 1962). By 1889 only 35,000 ha of the acacia pseudo-savanna
were left; by 1921 it was reduced to 25,000 ha and only 5,000 ha remained
in 1938. Today there are only about 10 ha of truly representative Acacia
raddiana pseudo-savanna left (~ir. For. 1980). with some scattered trees
elsewhere in the region. The trees are now protected on more than 60,000
ha for the slow process of allowing them to become re-established in the
region around Bou Hedma called 'Bled Talha'.
- Acer monspessulanum is a rare maple tree that grows at the summits of
Djebel Zaghouan, Dj. Bargou and Dj. Serdj in the Tunisian Dorsal mountain
range. Groves at all 3 sites are relatively small. If cutting were to
occur, regeneration would be made difficult by the fact that the young
trees are palatable forage. Although probably never widespread in
Tunisia, the species merits special protection in its present range.
Cupressus sempervirens numidica, or Maktar cypress, only exists
naturally ic three small stands in the Kessera massif near Maktar (see
Part 11, Tropical ~orests). Although it is planted widely as a windbreak
tree, the three natural stands should be protected.
Quercus afares is a rare oak that once probably grew as a vast forest
in Tunisia and Algeria. Of the three remaining groves in Tunisia, the one
at El Feidja may be protected as part of a national park (see Section
3.4.1 .I, acd 5.4), but the grove at Ain Zana is still in need of serious
protectioc.