ABSTRACT
Plants are important components of any rangeland. However, the importance of desert rangeland plant diversity has often been underestimated. It has been argued that desert rangelands of Tunisia in good ecological condition provide more services than those in poor ecological condition. This is because rangelands in good condition support a more diverse mixture of vegetation with many benefits, such as forage for livestock and medicinal plants. Nearly one-quarter of Tunisia, covering about 5.5 million hectares, are rangelands, of which 87% are located in the arid and desert areas (45% and 42%, respectively). Here, we provide a brief review of the floristic richness of desert rangelands of Tunisia. Approximately 135 species are specific to desert rangelands. The predominant families are Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, and Fabaceae. These represent approximately 50% of Tunisian desert flora.
ABSTRACT
In this reserch we review the effects of animal activities on plant life history strategies (CRS) around watering points using phyto-ecological studies and vegetation cover data. The objective of this study was to understand the impact of disturbance degree simulated by distance from wells on CRS strategies (Grime types). The main results indicate that annualisation is a reality. We show the dominance of RS-species in the more disturbed sites (nearest transect from watering points), CRS- and CS-species at medium disturbance and CS- and S-species in lower disturbance sites (further from water). The floristic homogenisation is discernible at long period of exploitation. With lower grazing disturbance, Stipagrostis pungens can appropriately survive but it cannot tolerate the high degradation levels.
