biological diversity and tropical forests in tunisia - PART

Other non-forest associations include those of sandstone outcrops,
permanent streams and alpine meadows:
Sandstone Outcrops:
Celtis australis Polypodium vulgare
Acantha mollis Potentilla splendens
Asplenium adiantum nignun Sedum coe~leum
A. trichotomanes Selaginella denticulata
Ruecus hypophyllum Umbilicus rozizentalis
Permanent Streams:
Salix purpurea-helix Rubus fruticosa
Rosa canina Polypodium vulgare
r Acer monspessulanum Ranunculus aquatilis
Nerium oleander Cyperaceaes
Alpice Meadow:
Fissidecs taxifolius Bryum torquescecs
Mnium ucgula tum B. alpicum
Two additiocal rare plants that occur at El Feidja are Rutus
incanescens and Rosa gallica.
Mammals. The El Feidja massif has the highest coccentration of the
rare barbary deer Cervus elaphus barbarus in Tunisia. Approximately 1,400
deer inhablt 18,000 ha of forests acd clearings in the area, feeding on
herbs and mast. Wild boar, jackal, red fox, common genet, Algerian
hedgehog and North African crested porcupine are also commoc.
Occasiocally, rare lycx-like caracal Caracal caracal are reported.
Birds. Abundant rock outcrops and cliffs at El Feidja provide habitat
for diur~al acd noctsrcal raptors and other ledge or cavity nesting birds.
Many migrating birds pass through the forest in the spring acd fall, and
there is also a rich diversity of sedectary species. Commoc birds
reported for El Feidja (IUCK 1987) inclade:
Golden eagle Green woodpecker Chaffinch
n Short-toed eagle Great spotted woodpecker Blackcap
n Sparrowhawk Turtle dove Spotted flycatcher
Kestrel Wood pigeon r Firecrest
Tawny owl Great tit Wren
Cuckoo Coal tit Raven
r = Rare
n = Nesting Birds