Thriving green havens in baking deserts:Plant diversity and species composition of urban plantations in the Sahara Desert

Hot arid zones represent vital reservoirs of unique species and ecosystems,holding significant importance for biodiversity.This study aimed to explore the plant diversity associated with tree plantations in urban ecosystems under hyper-arid climatic conditions in the Sahara Desert of Algeria.In May 2022,30 quadrats measuring 1 m^(2) each were established at the base of Phoenix dactylifera,Leucaena leucocephala,and Tamarix aphylla,corresponding to the dominant tree species in each of three plantations.In each quadrat,the plant quantitative inventory was conducted to measure plant diversity and similarity among the studied plantations.Based on this,we assessed the plant functional traits and rarity/abundance status of the flora.The findings revealed a diverse flora associated with the studied plantations,comprising 29 plant species grouped into 27 genera and 12 families.Notably,Poaceae(accounting for 30.8% of the flora),Asteraceae(25.0%),and Zygophyllaceae(21.6%)were well-represented.With an overall density of approximately 555 individuals/m^(2),Zygophyllum album(120 individuals/m^(2))and Polypogon monspeliensis(87 individuals/m^(2))emerged as the most abundant species.Functional trait analysis underscored the pivotal role of therophytes(constituting over 50.0% of the flora)and anemochorous species(33.0%-62.5%).Phytogeographic analysis emphasized the prevalence of the Saharo-Arabic element(constituting over 31.0% of the flora)and the Mediterranean Saharo-Arabic element(9.5%-21.5%).The Cosmopolitan element thrived under disturbance factors,recording percentages from 13.0% to 20.0% of the plant community.The rarity/abundance status of the flora emphasized the significance of rare,common,and very common species in the studied plantations.These findings could provide fundamental data for the effective control and management of biodiversity in hot hyper-arid urban ecosystems.

Exploring groundwater quality in semi-arid areas of Algeria:Impacts on potable water supply and agricultural sustainability

Groundwater quality assessment is important to assure safe and durable water use.In semi-arid areas of Algeria,groundwater represents the main water resource for drinking water supply of the rural population as well as for irrigation of agricultural lands.Groundwater samples from wells and springs were collected from the Gargaat Tarf and Annk Djemel sub-watersheds of the Oum El Bouaghi,Algeria,and were analyzed and compared with the World Health Organization(WHO)standards.Results showed that most of the measured physical and chemical parameters exceeded the quality limits according to the WHO standards.Groundwater had a slightly alkaline water pH(7.00-7.79),electrical conductivity>1500μS/cm,chloride>500 mg/L,calcium>250 mg/L,and magnesium>155 mg/L.Water quality index(WQI)results showed that 68%of the area had excellent water quality,24%of the samples fell into good category,and only 8%were of poor quality and unsuitable for human consumption.Six wells in the area showed bacterial contamination.Total coliforms(453.9(±180.3)CFU(colony-forming units)/100 mL),fecal coliforms(243.2(±99.2)CFU/100 mL),and fecal streptococci(77.9(±32.0)CFU/100 mL)loads were above the standard limits set by the WHO.These results confirmed that water resources in the study area were strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities and were not recommended for consumption as drinking water.

Do aeolian deposits and sand encroachment intensity shape patterns of vegetation diversity and plant functional traits in desert pavements?

The effects of sand encroachment on composition,diversity,and functional patterns of vegetation in drylands are rarely studied,and yet addressing these aspects is important to deepen our understanding of the biodiversity conservation.This study aimed to investigate the effect of sand encroachment on plant functional biodiversity of desert pavements(gravel deserts)in the Sahara Desert of Algeria.Plants were sampled and analyzed in three desert pavements with different levels of sand encroachment(LSE)and quantity of aeolian deposits(low,LLSE;medium,MLSE;and high,HLSE).Within the sample-plot area(100 m^(2)),density of every plant species was identified and total vegetation cover was determined.Plant taxonomic and functional diversity were analyzed and compared between LSE.Result showed that 19 plant species in desert pavements were classified into 18 genera and 13 families.Asteraceae and Poaceae were the most important families.The species Anabasis articulata(Forssk)Moq.characterized LLSE desert pavements with 11 species,whereas Thymelaea microphylla Coss.&Durieu ex Meisn.and Calobota saharae(C&D)Boatwr.&van Wyk were dominant species of desert pavements with MLSE(14 species)and HLSE(10 species),respectively.The highest values of species richness and biodiversity were recorded in desert pavements with MLSE,while low values of these ecological parameters were obtained in desert pavements with HLSE.Desert pavements with LLSE were characterized with the highest values of species abundances.Plant communities were dominated by chamaephytes,anemochorous,arido-active,and competitive stress-tolerant plants.The increase in LSE along the gradient from LLSE to HLSE induced significant changes in plant community variables including decreases in plant density,plant rarity,lifeform composition,morphological type,and aridity adaptation.Desert pavements with HLSE favor the degradation of vegetation and trigger biodiversity erosion.

Are diurnal time-budgets and activity patterns density-dependent in the Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) wintering in Algeria? An analysis across multiple temporal scales

Background: The Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) is a characteristic waterbird species of inland wetlands in northeastern Algeria. Its wintering behavior in relation to changes of local abundances and foraging group density is poorly known. Objectives: This study aims at monitoring patterns of diurnal activities and the variation of behavioral time-budgets in relation to numbers of wintering Shelducks. We investigate temporal variations of diurnal activities across multipletime scales and consider their interrelationships. Methods: Assessments of local population abundance were weekly surveyed during two wintering seasons (2010– 2012), whereas diurnal activities (feeding, sleeping, swimming, preening, loafing, flying, courtship, and antagonism) were studied three times a month during seven hours (08:00–16:00) using the Scan method. Time budget variations of each behavioral activity were tested using nested ANOVAs following multiple time scales. Generalized linear mixedeffects models (GLMM) tested whether variations in diurnal activities were density-dependent. Results: During the wintering season, Shelduck’s numbers followed a bell-shaped trend, which indicated that the species was typically a wintering migrant in Sabkha Djendli. The first individuals arrived onsite in October–November then numbers reached a peak in January (up to 2400 individuals in 2012) with steady density during December–February, afterward individuals left the site progressively until late April when the site is deserted. During both wintering seasons, diurnal activities were dominated by feeding (60%), followed by sleeping (12%) then swimming and preening with 9% and 8%, respectively. The rest of the activities (loafing, flying, courtship and antagonistic behaviors) had low proportions of time budget. ANOVAs showed that activity time budgets varied significantly following multiple time scales (year, season, month, day, semi-hour). Time budgets of diurnal activities during each wintering season were significantly interrelated. Correlations patterns between the two seasons were similar. GLMMs revealed that the variations of diurnal activities were not density-dependent, except for preening and swimming. Conclusion: During the wintering season, habitats of Sabkha Djendli are important for waterbirds, including the Shelduck that used the lake mainly for food-foraging and resting. The 2400 individuals censused in mid-winter are important locally and at the North African scale. This stresses the need to strengthen the protection status of this wetland and mitigate degradation sources that threaten wintering waterfowl.

Rapid increase in numbers and change of land-use in two expanding Columbidae species(Columba palumbus and Streptopelia decaocto)in Algeria

Background: Investigating population ecology of urban bird species,particularly the invasive and expending spe?cies,is the key for the success of urban management and planning strategies.Methods: Populations of two Columbidae species,the Woodpigeon(Columba palumbus) and the Eurasian Collared Dove(Streptopelia decaocto),were monitored from 1992 to 2010 in the Algiers Sahel,the Mitidja Plain and surround?ing areas(Northern Algeria).Monitoring of species densities was performed by the mapping?plot method.The foraging flight routes of Woodpigeon and the distribution of Eurasian Collared Dove were assessed by systematic observations.Results: The number of counted birds was statistically constant at first years of the survey,and then increased sig?nificantly,beginning from low numbers,their densities accelerated sharply between 2001 and 2006,then reached to an equilibrium state.The significant increase in Woodpigeon's population could be explained by the reduced hunt?ing pressure and by species adaptation to new food resources provided by nearby agriculture.Indeed,monitoring of flight directions of the species revealed the use of agricultural landscapes and habitats,which is a good indicator explaining adaptation and trophic niche of the species.The occurrence of the Eurasian Collared Dove in Algiers began in 2000.Its density experienced a rapid increase with similar trend pattern as that of Woodpigeon.Its distributional range is confined mainly in suburban environments of the Mitidja Plain.Conclusion: The modifications of habitats,urbanization increase and the lessening of hunting in the Mitidja Plain facilitated the rapid expansion of the Eurasian Collared Dove and Woodpigeon as well contributed to the increase in their numbers over time.

Does melanin-based plumage coloration reflect health status of free-living birds in urban environments?

Background:Ecological functions and processes in urban ecosystems are governed by various human activities.City-adapted and city-exploiting animal species are expected to present certain specific behavioral and physiological traits in comparison to city-avoiders or conspecific individual frequenting less urbanized or rural environments.A trait of high importance,the plumage color polymorphism has been selected as the main study model and was correlated with different morphological and physiological parameters to highlight its importance in determining the possible health status of urban Feral Pigeons(Columba livia)in North African urban habitats.Methods:Different body morphometrics,hematological and hemoparasitic parameters were quantified on freeliving Feral Pigeons in urban environments of northern Algeria.Moreover,plumage melanin-based coloration(MBC)was measured and the data collected at the individual scale was correlated with the previous parameters using linear and non-linear modeling approaches.Results:Plumage MBC scores of the sampled Feral Pigeons ranged between 0.3%and 74.8%.Among the 12 morphological traits measured,body weight,tail length and total length were deemed to be positively correlated with MBC.Darker morphs appeared to have more hemoparasites compared to lighter pigeons.Quite the same observation goes with the immunity but with non-linear trends.The number of monocytes and granulocytes increased with the increase in MBC levels in lighter morphs,while pigeons with high MBC scores exhibited negative relationships between MBC levels and the number of white blood cells.Conclusions:Despite the existence of a number of studies demonstrating phenotypic directional selection,further studies are undoubtedly necessary to understand in detail the underlying mechanisms in species life-history strategies between differently colored individuals.Findings of this correlative study open exciting perspectives revealing that MBC can be considered a good indicator of and health status and adaptation strategies to changes in urban environments.