biological diversity and tropical forests in tunisia - PART

A Lavandula stoechas variant similar to the one described above may .
occur on drier slopes. Where cork oak does not occur, kermes oak is often
in association vi'th:
Arbutus unedo Cistus monspeliensis
Erica multiflora Pistacia lentiscus
Near the coast the main association is indicated by kermes oak, Teucrium
fruticans and dvarf palm Chamaerops humilis. On the high slopes and north
facing ravines of the western part of the Kroumirie, abundant rain and
cool temperatures create favorable conditions for a zen oak climax forest.
Zen oak grovs in dense stands, often vkth a closed canopy that restricts
the growth of understory trees. More open stands contain shrubs, such as:
Cytisus triflorus Myrtus communis
Erica arborea Rubus ulmifolius
Crataegus oxycantha monogyna
but the most abundant plants are herbs, incladicg:
Agrimonia eupa to ria Achillea ligustica
Brachypodium sylvaticum Rumex tuberosus
vNA Cyclamec africanum Prunella vulgaris
In regard to vcgetatioc diversity, zen oak forests icclude some
icteresting species groups at the l i m i t of their range. The highest peaks
of Tunisia are the lower altitudinal limits of some high altitude species,
such as:
rNA Lapsana communis macrocarpa I lex aquif olium
. Urtica dioica Circaea lutetiace
Carex silvatica rNA Geum urbacum
v Ajuga reptans Platacthera bifolia
Hieracium pseudo-pilosella
In terms of longitudinal range, the zen oak forests of Tmisia are the
eastern l i m i t of the following species characteristic of the Kabylie
mountains:
Quercus afares Festuca dryme ja
Carex olbiensis Scutellarka columr.ae
Potentilla micrantha rNA Doronicum atlacticum
Diacthus balbisii Geranium atlanticum
Saxifraga veronicifolia
There are also over 200 species of mushrooms and numerous ferns, such as:
r Blechnum spicant Ophioglossum lusitanicum
Athy rium f ilix-femina r Phyllitis scolopecdrim
r Dryopteris aculeata r Ptcris locgifolia
r D. filix-mas
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v = Very Rare NA = North Africa E~dernic
r = Rare