BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS IN TUNISIA

Prepared by : Scott D. Posner January, 1988

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY A D TROPICAL FORESTS N

IN TUNISIA

Prepared by Sc~tt . ) I Poscer

The W a s h i c e t o r D . C .

acd T s r i s O f f i c e s o f t h e

Ageccy fbr I c t e r c a t i o r a l Develapmert

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS IN TU?!ISIA TABLE OF CO?lTEYlTS

Page: Preface Exec2tjve Sxmmary PART I : EIOLOCICAL DIVERSITY

i ii

S a c k g r o c ~ dI r . f 3 r n a t i o c oc T c c i s j a 2 Tt. E C o ~ c r r y L.L. C1:xte 2.3. Flora G e c ~ t i cR e s o ~ r c e s 27 . . 2.7.2. S p e c i e s i c Need of P r o t e c t i o r 2.3.3. P r c t e c t i o c Agencies 2 4 . 9a;ra 2 . 7 . Yamrels

. -.- .

............................ ........................................ ........................................ ................................................. ............................ ................ .......................... ................................................. ...................................... 2.1.2. ?irds ........................................ X ~ c t i c g ...................................... 2 . 4 . 24 . . F a z a P r o t e c r i o c .............................

2 2 2
5

6 10
11

12 12
14

75
15

P r i z a r y Z c s s y s t e n s of T . x i s i a 3 C o a s t r l Zoces 3.1.1. C o r s l Coast C .i l f of P ~ c i s 3.7.2. 3 . 3 . G ~ 2 fof Hammarnet 3.1.L. G ~ l f Cabes of 3.2. 1slar.d~ Galite 3.2.1. 3.2.2. Zembra 3.2.3. Kxriate Kerkeccah 3.2.4. 3.2.5. Kceiss 3.2.6. Jerba 3.3. k!etlacds 3.3.1. !%rice Lakes acd Lagoons 3.3.2. S e b k h e t s acd C h o t t s 3.3.7. R i v e r s acd R e s e r v o i r s 3.3.r. Other Freshwater U e t l a c d s 7.L. . l o - r t e i r.s 3L K r o - n i r j e/!lagods

...

......................................... 16 .................................. 1 8 ................................ 21 ............................. 25 ................................ 2 8 ............................................... 33 ....................................... 3 5 ....................................... 3 8 ...................................... 43 .................................... 44 ....................................... 46 ........................................ 47 .............................................. 5 0

................................

16

. ...

3.L.2.

3.1.3.
3.4.4. 3.1.5.

............................................. 80 ............................. 8 0 !!:gh "ell .................................... 92 T.;r.S sf.ar. Dorsal .............................. 95 .;rta S.rs ~f t h e High Steppe ................. : I 2 ...................................... 116 Do-Srat
T3 '

...................... 64 ........................... 5 2 ........................ 74 .................... 7 5

Table of Coctects ( ~ o c t i c z e d )

............................................... :120 lE ................................. .................................. 122 .................. 124 ............... 127 3.6. ............................ 130 3.7. ................................................. 132 4 . Ecosystems by C o i v e r c o r a t .................................... 134 5 . E i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y P r o t e c t i c m .............................. 181
3.5.
High S t e p p e s Low S t e p p e s 3.5.3. S ~ b d e s e r t i cL i t t o r a l S t e p p e 3.5.4. Ssbdesertic C o r t i c e r t a l Steppe Gracd E a s t e r c Erg: S a h a r a Oases Steppes 3.5.1. 3.5.2. 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. Covercnect I c s t j t c t i o c a l Strzct.-re Coc-Govercmectal k s s o c j z t j o c s Ecvirocmectal Leglslatioc I ? a t i o c a l P a r k s acd R e s e r v e s 5.4.:. Zenbra I l a t i o c a l Park acd )l,i.osphcrt: ? ? s ~ r v e 5.4.2. 1chke.A 1!P a r d ZR 5.4.3. Chanbi NP acd a?? 5.4.4. Bos Hedma !tP acd ER 5.4.5. So, K o r r i r e TIP 5.4.6. Proposed ! a t E l PeSdje P 5.4.7. Proposed YP a t Yanada a r d Djebfl S l d l To;;< I 5.4.8. C a l i t o c Reservf 5.4.9. Lake Y x i s P r o t e c t e d Y!etlacd 5.4.10. Air. Bacco ch a r d I X b e s R e s e r v e s 5.4..1. Kechen e l Kelb Reserve 5.4.12. O r b a t a Reserve 5.4.13. D6r C h i c h m Reserve 5.4.14. Proposed Fi? a t Jer.eir. C-ed O;cj

S-.inmary of P r i o r i t y TROPICAL FOBESTS

.......................... 187 ..................... ... : 8 R .............................. 188 ................. 189 ............. 789 ....................... 189 ............................... 190 .......................... 190 ............ 190 C o c s e r v a t i o c Xeeds ..................... 791
............................... 187

.........................:82 ............................. 183 ........................... 784 .... 186 ............................ 186 ............................. :87

.................... :81

PART 11:

. 2. 3. 4.
1

Ictrodsctioc

................................................. 194 F o r e s t Types ................................................. 195 S t a t s s o f T ~ c i s i a c o r e s t s ................................... 196 F F o r e s t P r o t e c t i o c ............................................ 200

LISTS OF FIGURES AHD TABLES

L i s t of F i g u r e s :
F i e : Title: P l a c t S p e c i e s Ecdenic t o T c n i s i a Examples of Medj c i c a l P l a c t S p e c i e s C o a s t a l Zoces o f T c c i s j a B i r d s of t h e G - l f of Gabes L o c e t i o r s o f 1 s l a r . d ~of T - c i s i a !i!etl~cds of T ~ r i s i a . 2;rds of Tchke-l ?os.t.ai r P z c g ~ sof T ~ rs ii a . F l s r a cf 3 j e b e l 3 ~ K o r c j ~ e : S t e p p e s a ~ . d G r m d K a s t e r r E r g cf T.ais5.a S i r a s ?f t h e Xabesl G o ~ v e r c o r a t 3 r d s f t h e T x l s Go:. v e r ~ o r a t ~ E i r d s zf t h e K a s s e r j c e G ~ ~ v e r r o r a t S i r d s o f t h e S j d j E o y ~Z i d G x i v e r c o r e t P i r d s of t h e Cabes C D , v ~ r c s r a t P ~ T % E E ~ i e s ~ r v e sof T:. c 5 s j a s I Page:

...................... ................... .............................. ............................ ....................... ................................... ...................................... ............................ ........................... .............. ....................... ........................ .................... ................. ........................ .........................

L i s t of Tables: Table: Yite: . .

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Climete a r d Sioclinate Deta f o r Several Locatiocs i r T ~ r j s j n

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Preface

T h i s doczmect was prepared f o r t h e Agency f o r I c t e r c a t i o c a l Developnect (AID) i c r e s p o r s e t o FAA Amecdmects 118 acd 1 1 9 , which c o c c e r c t h e c o c s e r v a t i o c acd erhaccemect o f b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y acd t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s . The s t a t c s , t r e c d s acd i c f l u e n c e s on t h e f l o r a , f a u c a and ecosystems a r e a d d r e s s e d ir- o r d e r t o p r o v i d e a c i n f o r m a t i o c b a s e f o r z s e by AIE/T;ci s j c r e p o r t i n g t o ~ID/h'ashicgt.oc D. C . , f o r n z l a t i c g a c t i o c p l a n s a r d p r e p a r i c ~Fr-virocmectal A s s e s s n e c t s o f proposed p r o j e c t s . The d o c z i ~ r . th a s b e e r c r o s s - r e f e r e c c e d by ecosystems acd g o u v e r c o r a t s t o f a c l l i t e t ~ v j r s r . n ~ c t a lAssessmeet p r e p a r a t i on. T h i s d o c m e e t i s a l s o 3 i c t ecded f o r _ s e by c o r - g o v e r c n e c t a l o r g a c j z a t j o r - s , docor o r g a r 5 z a t i o c s e r d t h e Covercnect of T x i s i a . Follovjrti. t h e preceder-t of t h e F A amecdmects, t h e r e a r e s e p a r a t e A disc;;ssl3r.s OF b i . " l a g i c a l d i v e r s i t y end t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s i c t h i s s s r v e y . However, f o r e s t s a r e a major compocect o f b i o l o g i . c a 1 d i v e r s % t y , s o t h e b,l% zf e c o l c g i c a l i c f a r n a t i o n h a s beec c o c c e c t r a t e d i c P a r t I . Ic liter at.^^^ d e s c r i b i c g t h e ecosystems of T u c i s S a , c e r t a i c a r a b i c terms a r e so c~nr.3~. (s.;ch a s ' d j e b ~ l ' f o r n ~ x t a i c )t h a t t h e y a r e used i c t h e t e x t . A. i r k e r e c t problem w i t h l o c a l t.erms ( i c c l u d i c e c a n e s of c i t i e s ) t h a t t h e r r e e d e r s h ~ z l dbe aware of i s t h a t d i f f e r e c c e s i c p h 0 e n e t . i ~s p e l l i c g s a r e fo..xd i c o t h e r d o c m e c t s ( e x . d j e b e l , j e b e l , d j e b b e l a r e a l l used i c t h e literat-re). A s h o r t g l o s s a r y h a s beec provided t o d e f i n e some of t h e x f e n i l 5 a r terms. This s i r v e y was P x d e d by AID/h'ashicgtoc t . h r o ~ e hA ~ D / T z c i s . The s;pym: g i v e r by Peace C o r p s / T c ~ i s j a , i c c l u d i c g u s e o f a word p r o c e s s i c g c o n p i t e r , i r - f o r m a t i o r g a t h e r i n g a s s i s t a c c e acd moral s u p p o r t , i s s i c c e r e l y a p p r e c i a t e d . I c f o r m a t i ~ cfrom t h e D i r e c t i o c d e s F o r e t s i c t h e form of
p ~ c l i s h e d reports a ~ d i s c ~ s s i o ~comprises a large part of this stirvey. d s

S p e c i a l t h a c k s go t o !!r. Selmi Khenaies, who g r e a t l y f a c i l i t a t e d my work i c k c j s i a , acd t o each of t h e i c g e n i e z r s and g a r d e s - c h a s s e t h a t accompacied ne i c t h e f i e l d . Mr. F i c h a e l Smart o f t h e I c t e r c a t i o n a l Vaterfowl Research k r e a u was a n i c v a l u a b l e soiirce of i c f o r m a t i o n on wetlacds acd e c v j r o c m e c t a l c o c c e r c s i c Tur.isia, and g z i d e d me t o t h e most imp3rter.t l o c a t i o n s ic t h e f i e l d . I a n a l s o g r a t e f u l t o T h o r s t o c W e i l b e l of t h e GTZ f o r v e g e t a t i o c i c f o r m a t i o c and a home b a s e i c T s n i s .

EIOLOCICAL DIVERSITY AXD TROPICAL FORESTS I!! TUI!ISIA FXECUTIVF: SUWABY

T;;r.isia i s t h e s n a l l e s t o f t h e Maghreb t x i t i o c s w i t h a t o t a l s u r f a c e a r e a o f 16 m i l l i o c h e c t a r e s acd a popr;latior. o f 7,259,000. A l t h o ~ e hi t s s m a l l s i z e , low m o z c t a i c s (maximam e l e v a t i o c 1544 rn compared t o 4167 m i c ~ o r o c c o )acd d e c s e p o p ; l a t i o c l e a v e T s c i s l a w i t h fewer e c d e n i c s p e c i e s o f f a ~ c aacd f l o r a t h a c a r e fozcd i c t h e r e s t of t h e F!aghreb, t h e s p e c i e s d i v e r s i t y is f a i r l y r i c h acd i s d i s t r i b u t e d t h r o o e h a v a r i e t y of ecosystems. Flora There a r e 2200 s p e c i e s of p l a c t s i r Y'zclsia. Of t h e 87C s p e c i e s of p l a r t s t h a t a r e r a r e , t h r e a t e c e d o r ecdenic j c Korth AfrSca (IUC!: 198C), 15: 9 c c . x i c T x i s i e , b ~ t h e l o c a l c o c s e r v a t i o c stat..is i s sckcowc f o r a l l t of then. A t tk,e c a t j o c a l l e v e l t h e r e a r e 307 r a r e acd 99 very r s r e p l a c t s . Of t h o s e 405 p l a c t s , 335 a r e d i s t j c c t s p e c i e s ( c o t s s h s p e c i e s o r 6 forms), which Is :5 5 o f t h e t o t a l f l o r a . T z c j s j a ' s r a r e f l o r a i c c l ~ d e s p e c i e s erdem5c to the c o . x t r y acd F: s p e c i e s e ~ d e n i cto T!orth A f r i c a acd t h e c o r t h e r c S a h a r e . I c d i v i d - e l s p e c i e s i c ceed o f p r o t a c t i . o c a r e disccssed

Y a ~ yof t h e p l a c t s a r e v a l o a b l e a s a g e c e t i c r e s o z r c e . I n p o r t a c t forage p l a c t s ( ~ ( ~ r t . ; scommzcis, Urglcea m a r i t i m e , D a p h ~ e tecacisi=d p l a c t s of food v a l ~ e Cocservatior- acd r e s e a r c h of t h e r e r e p l a c t s ecd g e r e t i c reso;;rces i s d o r e by t h e Agrocomy I n s t i t - t e s ( I ~ A T ,IHSAT), G e c e t i c B e s o - x c e s C e c t e r (IXRST), ! J a t ~ r e P r o t e c t i o c A s s o c i a t j o r (ATPXE) acd t h e c a t i o c z l J:kB c o r m i t t e e .

Fauca TccSsia he= s z f f e r e d a d r a s t i c d e c l i c e i c f a c c a i c t h e p a s t c e c t a r y . Abo,t '= s p ~ c S e so f mammals, 400 s p e c i e s of b i r d s , acd more t h a c 500 s p e c i e s of h e r p e s acd f i s h c a c s t i l l be foucd. However, a l l o f t h e l a r g e mammals a r e t h r e a t e c e d , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o c of t h e w i l d b o a r S a s s c r o f a b a r b a r ~ s . li0r.k s e a l s (!;ocachus nocachzs) have a l m o s t beee e x t i r p a t e d . S e v e r a l mammal s p e c i e s ' ( n o s t l y r w a r e ecdemic t o Korth A f r i c a . Rare acd ecdacgered mammals i c t h e IUC9 Red Data Book ( i c : G r e e t 1980) i ~ c l s d e : Barbary hyeca Barbary d e e r Dorcas g a z e l l e Hyaecs hyaeca b a r b a r a Cervss elaphss b a r b a r m Gazelle dorcas nassaesyla G. c - v j e r i C. l ~ n t o c e r o ~

Rare acd endacgered b i r d s l i s t e d i c t h e Red Data Book (IUCC 1985) t h a t o c c x i c Tucisia incliide: k'hite s t o r k Xarbled t e a l White-headed dack Red k j . t e White-tailed s e a e a g l e Bearded v u l t c r e Peregrine A c d o ~ i c ' sg u l l Red-cecked c t g h t j a r Hoiibara b a s t a r d L i t t l e bastard S l e n d e r - b i l l e d curlew

To conserve t h e r a r e acd ecdacgered f a u c a , 32 mammal s p e c i e s and macy b i r d s p e c i e s were s c b m j t t e d f o r i c c l u s j o n c n d e r t h e r e g c l a t i o c s s e t by t h e Cocvectioc oc I c t e r c a t i o c a l Trade o f Endangered S p e c i e s (CITES). The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e , D i r e c t o r a t e o f t h e Ecvironmect, ATPBE and N a t i o c a l O r c i t h o l o g i c a l A s s o c i a t i o c ( A A O )a r e i c v o l v e d i c c o c s e r v a t i o c a c t i v i t i e s .

There a r e 7 major ecosystems i c T c c i s i a : m o ~ c t a i r . , s t e p p e , d e s e r t acd o a s i s .

coastal, islacd, vetlacd,

T i c i s j a g s 1200 k a f c o e s t g i v e i t oce o f t h e h i g h e s t c o a s t : s c r f a c e m a r e a r a t i o s i c A f r i c a . The e a r t h c a a s t i s d e e p acd has i n p o r t a c t . f o r n a t i a c s a f red c o r a l r e e f s . S a z t h e r c c a a s t a l a r e a s a r e s h a l l o w e r and provide i c t e r c a t i o c a l l y i m p o r t a c t f e e d i c g a r e a s f o r m i g r a t i c g s h a r e b i r d s . The e c t i r e c o a s t l i c e h a s a r i c h d i v e r s i t y o f marine f a c c a . S i g h t major i s l a c d a r c h i p e l a g o s acd s e v e r a l s m a l l i s l a c d s a r e d i s t r i b c t e d a l o c g t h e c o a s t . I s l a c d s a r e a c i c t e r e s t i c g s p e c i a l h e b j t a t acd sane r a r e acd e c d e z i c s p e c i e s faced o r t h e i s l a c d s i c c l u d e mock s e a l s , r a b b i t s , A c d o ~ i c ' sg c l l s acd E l e o c o r a ' s f a l c a c s .
O f t h e mare t h a c 100 permacect acd temporary v e t l a c d s , macy a r e o f i c t e r c a t i a c a l i m p a r t a c c e . Each y e a r more t h a n 75,000 f l a m i c g o s , 400,000 a c a t i d s ( d ~ c k s )acd 250,000 c a o t s acd maorhecs u s e t h e u e t l a c d acd c o a s t a l a r e a s . The w e t l a c d s i c c l c d e 7 l a r g e marjce l a k e s acd more t h a c 30 s a l t l a k e s ( s e b k h e t s acd c h o t t s ) . S e v e r a l freshwater wetlacds e x i s t , i c c l u d i c e a t l e a s t 7 p e r m a c ~ c tacd macy s e a s a c a l l a k e s . Dar Fatma, R p e a t bog i n
the r3rthwest. has mary rare ard gzographically isolated plant species.

Five major m o c n t a i . ~s y s t e m s c o c t a i c most o f t h e f o r e s t s acd endemic p l a n t s of T u c i s i a . I n t h e c o r t h w e s t t h e ~ h r o e n i r i e h o g o dmauctain c h a i c s a r e t h e w e t t e s t p a r t o f t h e c o c c t r y acd b a r b a r y d e e r l i v e jc f o r e s t s of . cork oak Q u e r c c s s~;ber, zen oak Q c a c a r i e n s j s and t h e r a r e Q. a f a r e s . The High T e l l acd T i i c i s i a n D o r s a l m o c n t a j e r a c g e s s h e l t e r ecdacgered C u v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s acd hyeca i c P i c a s h a l i p e c s j s / Q c e r c c s jlex f o r e s t s . A few s t a c d s a f t h e r a r e maple t r e e Acer m a c s ~ e s s z l a c ~ s occur i c t h e T a c i s i a c D o r s a l acd t h z y a C a l l j t r i s a r t i c c l a t a , a s p e c i e s w j t h t r o p i c a l a f f i c i t i e s , i s domicact i c t h e f o r e s t s of Rori K o r c i c e Tlatiocal Park. Mocctaics i c t h e High S t e p p e s o f c e c t r a l T c c j s i a acd t h e D o c j r a t m a ~ c t a i c s o f s o i t h e r c T c c i s i a a r e domicated by J w j p e r c s acd o t h e r s p e c i e s c h a r a c t e r ] st; c o f degraded f o r e s t s , j c which aasdad ( b a r b a r y m o i c t a i c s h e e p ) Anmatragis l e r v j a occGr.

iii

Vast a r e a s a r e domicated by s t e p p e v e g e t a t i o c . The High S t e p p e s r e a r Kasserice c o c t a i c t h e d e c s e s t e s p a r t o g r a s s S t i v a t e c c a c i s s i a o of t h e c o c c t r y acd a p r o c e s s i c g p l a n t h a s been c o c s t r c c t e d make paper from e s p a r t o f i b e r s . Wild boar .acd hyeca a r e commocly foccd i r t h e l!j.gh Steppes. Low S t e p p e s , e a s t of S i d i Bou Zid and i n t h e Kairocac a r e a a r e domicated by s a g e ~ r t e m e s i aacd Zizyphus l o t u s acd t h e h a l o p h j l e v e g e t a t i o n o f t h e many s a l t l a k e s d i s t r i b u t e d i c t h e r e g i o r . Threateced hocbara b i i s t a r d s n e s t i n t h e low s t e p p e s . The l a s t remaicicg remcacts o f t h e sub-Sahara t y p e savanna d o n i ~ a t e dby Acacia r a d d i a c a t r e e s a r e f o m d i c t h e S c b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e a t Bou Hedma. Addax, oryx and o s t r i c h extirpated i n the past cectury have beec re-iatroduced a t Bou Hedma, and d o r c a s g a z e l l e s e x i s t t h e r e and i c t h e r e g i o n of Hamada. Ic t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e ~ t a lS t e p p e , s a g e p l a i c s g r a d e t o Rhactherium and Arthraphytsm p l a i c s t h e f o r n e r r a c g e o f s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of ~ c g c l a t e s .

The Sahara d e s e r t o r E a s t e r r . Cracd Erg a r e dominated by p s e u d o - f o r e s t s of C s l l i g o c ~ mcomosm acd t h e Gracd Rrg e ~ d e m i c sC. a z e l a r d C. a r i c h . There a r e more t h a r 2,500,000 ha o f S a h a r a t y p e d e s e r t ir. T x i s i a ; i f d e s e r t i c s t e p p e s a r e i c c l c d e d t h e a r e a i s c.S,000,000 ha. ' J e g e t a t i o r removal acd wicd e r o s i o c a r e i c c r e a s i c g t h e d e s e r t a r e a by 18,000 ha each y e a r . Ecdargered s l e c d e r - h o r c e d g a z e l l e s , t h e North A f r i c e r e r d e n i c g c c d i acd a wide v a r i e t y o f b i r d s acd h e r p e s a r e foucd i c t h e d e s e r t . Dispersed i c t h e s t e p p e s acd d e s e r t edges a r e more t h a r 75,000 ha of o a s s s . I c t e c s e c u l t i v a t i o c r e s t r i c t s t h e n a t u r a l v e g e t a t j m , b u t some r a r e p l a c t s do occur. Few mammals t o l e r a t e t h e hjgh r a t e 9 f hcmac a c t i v i t y ir t h e oases, b c t t h e l u s h v e g e t a t i o c provides importact feedicg acd r e s t i c g s i t e s f o r macy s e d e r t a r y p a s s e r i c e acd migratory b i r d s . B i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y d a t a summaries a r e g i v e c f ~ each g x v e r c o r a t . r Major E c v i r o r m e r t a l I r f l u e c c e s Altho..igh t h e T u c i s i a c c o a s t i s one of t h e c l e a r e r p a r t s sf t h e ) l e d i t e r r a r e a r s e a , ~ c t r e a t e dsewage acd c h e m i c a l l y c o c t a m i r a t e d wastewater a r e discharged a r d garbage i s dcmped i c t o t h e s e a acd s e v e r a l s a l t l a k e s . I c t e r s i v e f i s h j c g a c t i v i t y acd c o r a l h a r v e s t i c g a l s o d i s r ~ p t s mary c o a s t a l ecosystems. Some o f t h e most s e r i o u s e c v i r o c m e c t a l i m p a c t s a r e r e s c l t s of dam p r o j e c t s upstream from i m p o r t a c t w e t l a c d s . Two of t h e most i m p o r t a c t wetlacds i c T c c i s i a , which a r e a l s o v e r y i m p o r t a n t o c a e i c t e r c a t j o e a l l e v e l have beec d r a s t i c a l l y a f f e c t e d by dams. A d e c r e a s e i c f r e s h w a t e r i c f l o w has p c t Lake I c h k e u l i n d a c g e r o f a major chacge i c s a l i c i t y , which woiild s e v e r e l y reduce i t s v a l u e t o waterfowl. Sebkhet Kelbia cow h o l d s water f o r m ~ c hs h o r t e r p e r i o d s o f t i m e t h a n b e f o r e t h e Nebhaca dan was b u i l t , thiis r e d c c i c g t h e t i m e p e r i o d f o r b i r d s t o hatch acd f l e d g e . F ~ r e s t e g r a d a t i o c is o c c ~ r r i c ga t an a l a r m i n g r a t e or. 'the m o c r t a i r s , d acd i c macy a r e a s e s p a r t o g r a s s i s b e i r g h a r v e s t e d f o r t h e paper p l a r t f a s t e r than i t c a c r e g e r e r a t e . O v e r g r a z i c g acd fcelwnod z r d fodder c o l l e c t i o ~ l s o r e d ~ c e st h e groccd c o v e r and a c c e l e r a t e s e r o s i 9 ~ a acd d e s e r t 5 f i c a t i c c . \!ith o v e r 1 8 , 0 0 0 ha l o s t a c c ~ a l l gt o d e s e r t i f i c a t j OK, t h i s n u s t be c o n s i d e r e d t h e p r i n e e c o l o g i c a l c o r c e r c a f TucSsSa.

Wacipclation o f w a t e r r e s o u r c e s f o r i r r i g a t i o c acd domestic iise i s r e s o l t i n g i c t h e d e s s i c a t i o c o f some o a s e s and dune f o r m a t i o c i s t h r e a t e c i c g o t h e r s . Large a r e a s o f skeppe have beer. c o l t i v a t . e d , o f t e c ~sicg equipmect s c c h a s d i s c plows i c i c a p p r o p r i a t e a r e a s , which l e a d s t o vind e r o s i o c acd diice f o r n a t i o c . H a b i t a t l o s s and poaching a r e s e r i o i i s l y t h r e a t e n i n g much of t h e c a t i o n a l fauca. Chances f o r r e c u p e r a t i o n o f t h e mock s e a l M o c a c h ~ s mocachcs p o p ~ l a t i o ca r e s l i m , biit r e c e c t p r o t e c t i o c e f f o r t s have showc e c c o u r a g i c e r e s u l t s f o r g a z e l l e s , aoudad, b a r b a r y d e e r acd hyeca.
'

Protectior F o r e s t r y code law l!o. 66-60 p r o v i d e s t h e l e e a l b a s i s f o r e s t a b l i s h i r e p r o t e c t e d rese-ves a r d c a t i o n a l p a r k s . There a r e c c r r e c t l y 5 n a t i o c a l p a r k s , 2 proposed c a t i o c a l p a r k s acd 9 r e s e r v e s p r o t e c t i n g some o f t h e n o s t i m p o r t a c t ecosystems of T x i s i a . There a r e a l s o recommecdetiocs f o r t h e e s t a b l i s h n e c t o f :9 e d d i t i o c a l p r o t e c t e d a r e a s (IUC;: t 9 8 7 ) . A g o a l o f t h e program i s t o have a c n t i o c a l p a r k r e p r e s e c t i c e each of t h e major e c o s y s t e m of T c c i s i a . So f e r i s l a c d embr bra) , wetlacd ( I c h k e ~ l , thoyz ) mouctaic f o r e s t ( 9 o i ~ o r c i c e, a l e p p o p i c e mouctaic f o r e s t (Chambi ) , acd ) a r i d m ~ ~ i c t a i c / ~ s e ; d o - s a v a c c(aB ~ L e d m a ) ecosystems a r e r e p r e s e c t e d acd ~ t h e c e x t 2 a r e a s c e d e r c o c s i d e r a t i o c r e p r e s e c t oak f o r e s t ( 2 1 ~ e i d j a )and desert ( ~ i d i Toci ~ a m a d a )ecosystems.

?bst r a t i o n a l p a r k s a l r e a d y have macagemect p l a c s with i t e n i z e d biidgets acd o c l y need a d d i t i o c a l s t a f f acd f i c a c c e s t o i n p l e n e c t t h e p l a c s . U r f o r t s c a t e l y , bcdget problems have reduced c a t i o c a l park macagemect t o a m i c i n m of p r o t e c t i o c acd l i t t l e p ~ b l i cc s e i s allowed. D e s i g c a t i o c o f a p r o t e c t e d a r e a c a r a l s o be o v e r r ~ l e dby o t h e r i n t e r e s t s , a s i c t h e c a s e of t h e Lake 3 s n i s P r o t e c t e d V e t l a r d , which i s c ~ r r e c t l y b e i c g f i l l e d f o r developmect.
There a r e a comber o f w e t l a c d s acd m o c c t a i c s p r o t e c t e d from h c c t i c g , a r d s p e c i a l zoces where g r a z i n g i s p r o h i b i t e d o r o c l y allowed i c y e a r s o f extreme f o r a g e s h o r t a g e s . Tar5 s i a i s s i g r a t o r y t o t h e Vorld ??eri.tage c o n v e ~ t i o c( 1 9 7 5 ) , Ramsar c o c v e c t i o c (: 976) acd t h e E a r c e l o c s c s c v e c t i o c (1977). Bi'ological D i v e r s i t v P r o t e c t i . o c Needs A d d i t i o c a l p r o t e c t i o c i s needed t o stem t h e d e g r a d a t i o c o f b i o l o g i c a l d i ve r s i t y i c T ~ c i s i a . To e s t a b l i s h a b a s e f o r f l o r a p r o t e c t i o c , i t wocld be a d v i s a b l e t o i c v e c t o r y t h e c a t i o c a l f l o r a , e s t a b l i s h a K a t i o c a l h e r b a r i . ~ macd c r e a t e a b o t a c i c g a r d e r . The f a m a a r e i c reed of p r o t e c t i o c through t h e improvemer.t of law ecforcemect c a p a b i l i t i e s acd c o c t r o l of i l l e g a l commerce i c w i l d l i f e p r o d u c t s . h'hile t h e i c t e c t o f t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a system i s w e l l foicdod acd i s o f g r e e t i n p o r t a c c e f o r t h e p r e s e r v a t i o c acd e c h a r c e n e c t o f S S o l o q l c a l d i v e r s i t y , t h e r e i s a d e s p e r a t e ceed f o r a d d i t i o c a l f x d i c ~ ,t r e i c e d s t a f f acd eqliipnect. The n a t i o c a l p a r k s a r e a l s o i c need of i r , p r m e d p i b l i c access.

E f f e c t i v e p o l l c t i o c c o c t r o l l e g i s l a t i o c should be passed, ecforcemect s t r e c g t h e c e d acd t h e techcology acd meam t o comply with t h e l e g i s l a t i o n shocld be made a v a i l a b l e t o t h e major p o l l c t i o n sources (chemical icdsstries, p ~ b l i c sewage and t r a s h systems). Marine ecosystems a r e i n reed af iccreased p r o t e c t i o c ; e s p e c i a l l y f o r t h e c o r a l r e e f s , mock s e a l s acd i c t e r c a t i o r a l l y importact Gulf of Gabes i c t e r t i d a l eoces. I c h k e z l National Park i s i n immediate danger of d r a s t i c changes in i t s ecosystems, t o t h e detriment of macy s p e c i e s of ecdangered o r v u l n e r a b l e b i r d s and r a r e p l a c t s . Ameltoratioc p r o j e c t s have beec proposed, but fucds f o r implementatioc a r e l a c k i n g . Sebkhet Kelbia i s a l s o i n need of a c t i o c (water r e l e a s e s from upstream r e s e r v o i r s ) and i t would echacce b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y t o i c c r e a s e p r o t e c t i o c f o r t h e Dar Fatma bog acd Oued Essed pools Increased p r a t e c t i o c of E l F e i d j a , Djebel Zaghoiiac acd Djebel I c h k e ~ l uocl? be d e s i r a b l e . T r o p i c a l f o r e s t . acd mocctaic h a b i t a t cocld be e c h a ~ c e dby ass9 s t i r 6 w j t h Bou Korrine H t j a n a l Park. a A ~ t l - d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c p r o j e c t s , s;ch a s dcce s t a b j l i z a t i o n and r e f a r e s t a t l o r shauld be i n c r e a s e d a c c a r d i c g t o t h e Natiocal Ar-tid e s e r t i f j c a t i a r . S t r a t e g y ard i c a macrer compatible with t h e c a t s r a l ecosgstens ( ? r q e r specj e s s e l e c t i o c ) .

PART I BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

1.

INTRODUCTION

T c c i s j a ' t h e e r e e c ' was occe t h e b r e a d b a s k e t of t h e Romac Empire. A c e n a z i c g d i v e r s i t y of ecosystems end a c i m a l s e x i s t e d , i c c l ~ d i n gl j o c s , barbary a p e s , and e l e p h a c t s and s a v a n n a s s i m i l a r t o t h o s e i c scb-Saharac A f r i c a . The ecvirocmect h a s changed d r a s t i c a l l y s i c c e t h e R~mace r a , b ~ t t h e r e i s s t i l l a wide r a n e e o f ecosystems c o c t a i c i c g d i v e r s e f a m a acd flora.

Ic t h i s siirvey, t h e f l o r a and fauna a r e be d i s c u s s e d , followed by d e s c r i p t i o c s of t h e s e v e c primary ecosystems ( c o a s t a l zones, i s l a c d s , w e t l a c d s , mocctains, s t e p p e s , d e s e r t acd o a s e s ) and t h e i r b i o l o g i c a l compocects, a s w e l l a s t h e i c f l c e c c e s on them. Summary s h e e t s f o r each gouverr.orat a r e c r o s s - r e f e r e c c e d t o t h e s e c t i o c s on ecosystems. The s e c t i o c on b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y p r o t e c t i o c i n c l u d e s a g e c c i e s i c v l o v e d , l e g i s l a t i o c , s i t e s acd ceeds.
The b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y o f T u c i s i a evokes mixed responses. I t i s f a s c i c a t i c g whec viewed i c i t s e n t i r e t y , somewhat d i s h e a r t e c j . n g whec compared t o what i t once was acd eccourag5.r.g whec viewed i c l i g h t of t h e r e s ~ l t s some r e c e c t p r o t e c t i o c e f f o r t s . U c f o r t c c a t e l y , f o r every s i t e of p r o t e c t e d , macy more a r e t h r e a t e c e d , s o c o c t i n c e d e f f o r t s must be made t o preserve t h e precious n a t u r a l h e r i t a g e o f T u ~ i a i e .

2.

BACKGROUND INFOREATIOC ON TUNISIA 2.1

THE COUNTRY

Betveec A l g e r i a acd Ljbya 5s T u c i s i a , t h e coiictry w i t h t h e c o r t h e r c m o s t e x t e c s i o c i c A f r i c a . The s m a l l e s t o f t h e Haghreb c a t i o n s (16 m i l l i o c h e c t a r e s ) , T i i c i s i a h a s a r i c h c u l t u r a l acd s o c i a l h e r i t a g e , a s w e l l a s a d i v e r s i t y of c a t u r a l ecosystems. Macy empires have played a r o l e i c t h e h i s t o r y of T u n i s i a , r a c g i c g from P h o e n i c i a n s through t h e Romans, B y z a c t i c e s , Arabs and Ottomac Turks, t o t h e French. U c l i k e t h e o t h e r Maghreb c a t i o c s , t h e Arab i c v a s i o c s i n T u n j s i a were s o thorough t h a t t h e o r i g i c a l Berber p o p d a t i o c cow o c l y r e p r e s e c t s 1 % o f t h e t o t a l ; c o c f i c e d mainly t o t h e moiir.taics i n t h e n o r t h w e s t and t h e d r y s o i i t h e r c parts of t h e c o u c t r y . The t o t a l c a t . i o c a 1 p o p u l a t i o c i c mid-:985 was 7,259,000. X b o ~ t355 of P i c i s i a ' s l a b o r f o r c e i s i c v o l v e d i c a g r i c d t i i r e ; growing wheat, b a r l e y , o l i v e s acd c l t r i i s f r u i t ( 7 6 of a r a b l e l a r d ) o r r a i s i n g sheep, g o a t s , c a t t l e acd camels. Thus, 25% of T i i c i s i a is c u l t i v a t e d acd g r a z i c g c c c c s OE n o s t x c . i l t : v a t e d acd ucdeveloped l a r d .

2.2.

CLIMATE

I?-e t o t h e v a r i e d topDgraphy, e x t e c s j v e c o a s t l i n e , l o n g !I-S a x i s acd t h e p r e s e c c e of t h e S a h a r a d e s e r t , t h e c l i m a t i c c o c d i t i o c s o f T u c i s i a v a r y g r e a t l y t h r o ~ g h o ~tth. e coiictry. Yearly r a i c f a l l s v a r y from a few m i l l i n e t e r s I c t h e soiith t o o v e r 7500 mm i c t h e c o r t h e r c moiictaics. R a i c f a l l i s nost. ab::cdart i c s p r i c g and autumc, w i t h t h e l o w e s t p e r c e n t a g e ic snrnmer. Scow f a l l s o r macy of t h e h i g h e r mouctaic peaks, biit c s u a l l y melt.s i c 2 m a t t e r of days. o Tem erat.;res vary from below 0 C d u r i c g w i c t e r i c t h e moiictaics t o 8 i c t h e s n m e r s o u t h of Cafsa. However, i c most o f t h e c o u c t r y over 5 0 t h e t e n p s r a t ~ r e sa r e n o d e r a t e d by t h e M e d i t e r r a c e a c Sea. Temperature and precip5 t a t i o c d e t a f o r l o c a t i o c s i c each goiivercorat ( a d m i c i s t r a t i v e d i s t r i c t ) a r e g i v e r i c Table 1 . Wicds a r e a l s o a f f e c t e d by t h e H e d i t e r r a c e a c , and d a i l y l a r d b r e e z e s acd s e a b r e e z e s occur a l o n g most o f t h e c o a s t , a s w e l l a s f r e q u e n t s t r o c g e r wicds. Ac i n p o r t a c t w i c d - r e l a t e d c l i m a t e f a c t o r i s t h e o c c c r r e c c e o f S i r o c c o v i r d s , which a r e h o t , d r y wicds from t h e Sahara t h a t d e s s i c a t e v e g e t a t i o c acd s o i l s i n t h e summer.
A system o f c l a s s i f y i c g temperatiire acd p r e c i p i t a t i o c d a t a , used widely Sc t h e l i t e r a t ~ r eoe !lorth A f r i c a c b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y i s t h a t o f b i o c l i n e t e s . Bi o c l i m a t e s a r e based o r t e m p e r a t u r e and p r e c i p i t a t i o c d a t a a z s i c g F k b e r g e r ' s ? i o t j e c t , o b t a i c e d bg t h e f o l l o w i r g f o r m ~ l :

where

p = Mean annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n M = Wean maximum temperature of t h e h o t t e s t month m = Mean minimum temperature of t h e c o l d e s t month (temperatures i n degrees ~ e l v i n )

Embergeras Q u o t i e n t i s used t o a s s i g n bioclimate c a t e g o r i e s i n t h e following manner:

>

I f Q is:
110

then t h e bioclimate is: Humid (HI subhumid- (SH) Semi-arid Superior (SAS) Semi-arid I n f e r i o r (SAI ) A r i d S u p e r i o r (AS) Arid I n f e r i o r (AI) Saharan Superior (SS) Saharan I n f e r i o r (sI)

Variants of t h e above b i o c l i m a t e s a r e separated according t o t h e average minimum temperatures of t h e c o l d e s t month ( i n degrees ~ e l s i u s ) ,a s below: I f m is:

> 7

then the winter variant is: hot mild temperate cool

Table 1. Climate and B i o c l i m a t e Data f o r S e v e r a l L o c a t i o n s i n T u n i s i a

Location Beja Jendouba Ain Draham El Feidja Tabarka Calite Le Kef Skliana Maktar Bizerte Ichkeul Nabeul Zembra Tunis Zaghouar.
Kairouan

YI

B SH, t SAS, t H, t H SH,t H,m SH S A SAS ,c SAS, t SA, c SH,m SH,h SAS ,h S ,t - m H SAS ,m SAS-SH, t

AS,

Kasserine Chambi Skdi Bou Zid Bou Hedma Mahdia Monastir Kuriate Sousse Enfidaville Sfax Kerkemah Cabes Matmata Cafsa Kebili Medenine Jerba Douirat B a h i r e t e l Bibane Ta t a o u i n e Remada Grand E a s t e r n Erg Tozeur

AS, c AS-SH ,c AS, t A,c SAI , h SAI ,h SAI ,m SAI ,m SAI ,m A ,m S SA,h AI,h A 1 ,m AI,c SS, c A 1 ,m A , h-m A,t AS,m AI,t SS, t S1,c SS,c SAI = Semi-arid I n f e r i o r AS = Arid S u p e r i o r A 1 = Arid I n f e r i o r SS = S a h a r a r Superkor S I = Saharan I r f e r i o r h = hot winter variant m = mild w i c t e r v a r . t = temperate wicter var. c = cool winter var.

P = Mear, a n n u a l precfpitationo(rnm) T = Mean a n n u a l Temperature ( C) 0 m = Mean min. temp. of c o l d e s t month ( o ~ ) M = Mean max. temp. of h o t t e s t morth ( C) B = Bioclimate H = Humid SH = Subhumid SAS = Semi-arid S u p e r i o r

2.3.

FLORA

The v a s c u l a r p l a n t s of Tunisia r e p r e s e n t 115 f a m i l i e s , 742 genera and approximately 2200 species. Of t h e 115 f a m i l i e s , 4 a r e represented by more than 100 s p e c i e s ( ~ a b l i 1987): Asteraceae (254 s p e c i e s ) Papilionaceae (21 6 ) Craminae ( 197) C r u c i f e r a e (108)

A n a t i o n a l t o t a l of 2200 s p e c i e s i s f a i r l y high compared t o t h e adjacent c o u n t r i e s of Algeria (3150 s p e c i e s ) and Libya (1800 s p e c i e s ) , both of which a r e s e v e r a l times l a r g e r i n a r e a than Tunisia.
. The l a c k of high mountains i n Tunisia has l i m i t e d t h e evolution of endemic p l a n t s t o a t o t a l of 34, of which 14 a r e d i s t i n c t s p e c i e s ( f i g u r e 1 ) and 20 a r e i n f r a s p e c i f i c ( ~ a b l i 1987). There a r e s e v e r a l o t h e r p l a n t s t h a t may be endemic t o Tunisia, but i n s u f f i c i e n t information i s knoun of t h e i r range t o be c e r t a i n . The t o t a l number of t r u e endemics i s not l i k e l y t o be much over 50, which i s considerably l e s s than the number i n Algeria and Libya (approximately 250 and 134 endemics, r e s p e c t i v e l y Heywood 1987).

Of 870 s p e c i e s of p l a n t s t h a t a r e r a r e , t h r e a t e n e d o r endemic i n North Africa (IUCN 1980), 151 occur i n Tunisia. The c u r r e n t l o c a l conservation s t a t u s i s unknown f o r most of them and a l l have been i n s u f f i c i e n t l y documented f o r f i n a l s t a t u s designation. A t t h e n a t i o n a l l e v e l , there a r e 307 r a r e and 99 very r a r e p l a n t s ( ~ n n e x1 ) . Of those 406 p l a n t s , 335 a r e d i s t i n c t s p e c i e s ( n o t subspecies o r forms), which i s 15% of the f l o r a . I n Algeria, r a r e p l a n t s c o n s t i t u t e 33% of t h e t o t a l . T u n i s i a ' s r a r e f l o r a include 7 s p e c i e s endemic t o t h e country ( f i g u r e 1 ) and 81 species endemic t o North Africa and t h e northern Sahara. About 60% of ~ u n i s i a ' sr a r e p l a n t s occur i n t h e n o r t h and 32% occur i n t h e c e n t e r and south.

Figure 1 P l a n t Species Endemic t o T u n i s i a

v r r

Teucrium radicans Pancratum foetidum Sporobolus t o u r n e u x i i Marrubium a s c h e r s o n i i Plantago tunetana Lathyrus brachyodus Anarrhinum brevifolium

v r

L i n a r i a paradoxa L. c o s s o n i C r e p i s tunetana Scabiosa f a r i n o s a Silene barrattei (IUCN 1980) Rumex tune tanus Paronychia chabloziana "
VI

Important f a c t o r s i n f l u e n c i n g t h e r a r e p l a n t s ( ~ a b l i 987 ) include :

wetland d r a i n i n g and dam c o n s t r u c t i o n , which d e s s i c a t e o r flood important p l a n t h a b i t a t s ; h e r b i c i d e s , e s p e c i a l l y a e r i a l a p p l i c a t i o n s ; and urbac expansion.

Although t h e r e i s a f a i r l y good d a t a base, i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e f l o r a i s The two main f l o r a s of Tunisia (cuenod 1954, P o t t i e r - A l a p e t i t e 1979) a r e both incomplete. A complete n a t i o n a l inventory i s needed t o provide comparative information f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l cooperation i n conservation s t r a t e g i e s . A t t h e very l e a s t , a complete c h e c k l i s t o f t h e n a t i o n a l f l o r a should be prepared The Conservation Monitoring C e n t r e ( CMC)of t h e (~eywood1987 ) I n t e r n a t i o n a l Union f o r t h e Conservation o f Nature (IUCN) can give advice on i n v e n t o r i e s and t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f c h e c k l i s t s and t h e y maintain worldwide computerized p l a n t databases, which i s h e l p f u l i n determining endemism, r a r i t y and conservation p r i o r i t i e s .

in need of completion, c o r r e c t i o n and updating.

I n t h e p r o c e s s o f a n a t i o n a l i n v e n t o r y , i t would a l s o be d e s i r a b l e t o c o l l e c t specimens and e s t a b l i s h a complete n a t i o n a l herbarium f o r proper documentation and t o s e r v e a s a r e f e r e n c e f o r o t h e r r e s e a r c h . Herbariums a l r e a d y e x i s t a t t h e agronomy i n s t i t u t e s , but t h e y a r e n o t complete o r e a s i l y accessed. Assessments should a l s o be made of t h e s p e c i e s a c t u a l o r p o t e n t i a l economic v a l u e , both f o r t r a d i t i o n a l and modern uses. S c a t t e r e d r e f e r e n c e s on p l a n t u s e s a r e a v a i l a b l e (ex. Le f l o c ' h 1983, B u r o l l e t 19271, b a t they should be consolidated t o provide complete information f o r determicing g e n e t i c resource conservation p r i o r i t i e s . 2.3.1. Genetic Resources

The term ' g e n e t i c resources' is used h e r e t o denote p l a n t s of a c t u a l o r p o t e c t i a l economic value. This i n c l u d e s , b u t i s n o t l i m i t e d t o , n a t i v e crop s p e c i e s , c r o p r e l a t i v e s , f o r e s t r y s p e c i e s , f o r a g e p l a n t s , o i l o r f i b e r p l a n t s , aromatics and medicinal l a n t s . F o r e s t r y s p e c i e s a r e described i n P a r t I1 ( ~ r o p i c a lF o r e s t s The wide a r r a y of t r a d i t i o n a l uses of macy p l a n t s i s too much t o be discussed i n t o t a l h e r e , so only p a r t i a l l i s t s a r e given. Le f l o c ' h (1983) and B u r o l l e t (1927) give more complete l i s t s of c u r r e n t and t r a d i t i o n a l p l a n t u s e s .

7.

A.

Crop S p e c i e s and R e l a t i v e s

Wild o l i v e europaea o l e a s t e r i s a n a t i v e t r e e t h a t is c u l t i v a t e d f o r i t s o l i v e s o r used a s r o o t s t o c k , t o which b e t t e r producing v a r i e t i e s a r e g r a f t e d . The w i l d o l i v e i s h a r d i e r than domestic v a r i e t i e s and can withstand h a r s h e r c l i m a t i c conditions. I t i s widespread i n northern Tunisia and o c c u r s on many mountains i n c e n t r a l T u n i s i a . I n a d d i t i o n t o i t s crop v a l u e , wild o l i v e s a r e a l s o grazed by l i v e s t o c k . Carob C e r a t o n i a s i l i q u a i s a t r e e t h a t h a s become n a t u r a l i z e d i n Tunisia. The seed pods can be used t o produce a c h o c o l a t e s u b s t i t u t e ,

i n d u s t r i a l a l c o h o l o r wine, and t r a g a s o l ( l o c u s t bean gum). T r a d i t i o n a l uses i n c l a d e s u r v i v a l food f o r t h e poor, l i v e s t o c k fodder, and tannin T u c i s i a i s one of t h e world's t o p 8 producers of carob productioc. Wild carob i s d i s t r i b u t e d throughout most, of non-desert ( ~ e r w 1981 ) i~ Tunisia, u s u a l l y s c a t t e r e d i n a s s o c i a t i o n s of wild o l i v e az~dP i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s ( 0 l e a - l e n t i s c u s formations). Carob i s a l s o one of t h e few t r e e s i n Tunisia with t r o p i c a l a f f i n i t i e s ( s e e P a r t 11, T r o p i c a l ~ o r e s t s ) .

Wild blackberry Rubus u l m i f o l i u s i s o f t e n grown i n gardens f o r i t s f r u i t . It produces well i n favorable c o n d i t i o n s and wild bushes a r e sometimes harvested. Wild b l a c k b e r r i e s a r e most common along streams and watersheds and can be found i n brush f i e l d s and hedges i n , and n o r t h o f , t h e T u n i s i a c Dorsal moantain range. Wild grape V i t i s v i n i f e r a ssp. s i l v e s t r i s and subspontaneous domestic grapes Vitis v i c i f e r a ssp. s a t i v a occur along s t r e a m s and i n humid ravines ir! t h e ~ r o a r n l m - d mountains and Cap Bon, o r i n abandonned gardens. The f r a i t s of t h e w i l d grapes a r e e a t e n acd could be v a l u a b l e f o r hybrid crossicgs. There e r a o t h e r p l a c t s i c Tunisia t h a t a r e n o t a c t u a l crop s p e c i e s , but have r d i b l i p a r t s t h a t a r e c o l l e c t e d f o r consumption by people o r l i v e s t o c k . Thosa s p e c i e s i c c l u d e :

--

Qaercas s a b e r (cork oak): a c o r c s f o r f o r a g e (holm oak) : acorns f o r forage and human cocsumptioc 4. i l i ~ A r b a t ~ sucedo: e d i b l e f r u i t s commercial s a l e s Crataigus sp. (hawthore) : e d i b l e f r u i t s commercial s a l e s Picus h a l e p a n s i s (aleppo pine) : e d i b l e s e e d s

B.

Aromatic and Nedicicel P l a n t s

Mary types of p l a c t s , o r p a r t s of them, a r e h a r v e s t e d f o r t h e i r aroma, f l a v o r o r medicical p r o p e r t i e s . T r a d i t i o n a l u s e s cover a wide spectrum acd t h e presence of h e r b a l i s t s a t most l o c a l markets shows t h a t wild plants are s t i l l commocly used. Some p l a n t s , such a s jasmine Jasminum f r u t i c a n s have f r a g r a n t flowers t h a t a r e c o l l e c t e d t o produce perfumes, o r o i l s t h a t a r e d i s t i l l e d and sp. sold ( ~ r i c a ) Other p l a n t s , i n c l u d i n g rosemary Rosmarinus o f f i c i n a l i s , thyme Thymus sp. , oregano Origan sp. and c a p e r s Capparis spinosa a r e used a s s p i c e s i n cooking. I n 1984, approximately 58,000 ha of rosemary acd 4,500 ha of capers were harvested.

Medicical u s e s of p l a n t p a r t s i s a well e s t a b l i s h e d p r a c t i c e . While modern medicines have replaced many of t h e t r a d i t i o n a l remedies, people withoat t h e meacs t o buy, o r access t o , commercial medicices s t i l l r e l y on, acd sone p r e f e r , medicical p l a r t s . A wide v a r i e t y of p l a n t s a r e used ( f i g a r e 2) t o cure a i l m e r t s ranging from headaches, stomach aches and d i a r r h e a t o c u r i c g i n f e c t i o ~ sand e a s i n g c h i l d b i r t h . Pharmacists throaghout t h e world have s t a d i e d t h e chemical n a t u r e of medicinal p l a n t s i c o r d e r t 3 d i s c o v e r new drugs o r improve o t h e r s . I n T u n i s i a , s t u d i e s

have been made of medicinal p l a n t s ( ~ a b l 1987) such a s : i

A juga i v a

Zygophyllum album Daphne gnidium

Urginea maritima Nerium o l e a n d e r

Export of m e d i c i n a l p l a n t s i s a l s o a s o u r c e o f f o r e i g n exchange. O i l from Myrtus communis i s highly valued i n some european c o u n t r i e s . Each y e a r , branches a r e c u t from thousands o f ha (9,000 i n 1984) of Hyrtus f o r e x t r a c t i o n of o i l reputed t o h e l p t r e a t rheumatism and o t h e r ailments.

C.

Fiber P l a n t s

Vegetable f i b e r i s obtained from dwarf palm Chamaerops humilis. I n 1975 over 350 m e t r i c t o n s of dwarf palm l e a v e s were h a r v e s t e d a t a v a l u e of 30,000 T u n i s i a n Dinars. Valuable l e a v e s and somewhat slow regeneration make dwarf palm s e n s i t i v e t o overharvesting. I t i s a s p e c i e s warranting s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n t o ensure i t s continued abundance. Esparto g r a s s S t i p a tenacissima ( a l s o c a l l e d a l f a g r a s s ) i s a f i b r o u s p l a n t , used t r a d i t i o n a l l y f o r weaving. A modern use of l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s of e s p a r t o f i b e r i s t h e production o f high q u a l i t y paper. Paper m i l l s i n K a s s e r i n i use such g r e a t q u a n t i t i e s o f e s p a r t o g r a s s t h a t more than h a l f of t h e e s p a r t o g r a s s l a n d s of Tunisia a r e e x p l o i t e d . E s p a r t o r e g e n e r a t e s f a i r l y w e l l , b u t o v e r h a r v e s t i n g followed by g r a z i n g o r c u l t i v a t i o n has lead t o s e r i o u s d e g r a d a t i o n of t h e g r a s s l a n d s i n many a r e a s .

D.

Forage P l a n t s

Many of ~ u n i s i a ' sg r a z i n g l a n d s a r e degraded and occupied by poor q u a l i t y f o r a g e p l a n t s . Some p l a n t s , such a s Saccharum ravennae and Andropogon sp. a r e becoming r a r e due t o o v e r g m a b l i 1987). I n d e s e r t i c a r e a s , important sand-fixing s p e c i e s a r e b e i n g decreased with s e r i o u s consequecces t o t h e ecosystem. P a s t u r e improvement and r a t i o n a l g r a z i c g s t r a t e g i e s a r e needed throughout T u n i s i a . P a s t u r e s can be improvsd by improving t h e water regime and n u t r i e n t s of an a r e a , and by i n c r e a s i n g high q u a l i t y forage s p e c i e s . The developmect of high q u a l i t y f o r a g e p l a n t s i s a concern of s e v e r a l i c t e r n a t i o c a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s and seed companies. A t t e n t i o n h a s been focused on producing h y b r i d s of s e v e r a l t y p e s of h i g h l y p a l a t a b l e and n u t r i t i o n a l p l a n t s . To determine f a v o r a b l e f o r a g e p l a n t s f o r c u l t i v a t i o n and produce optimum h y b r i d s , a l a r g e number o f s p e c i e s a r e being t e s t e d and e f f o r t s a r e being made t o i n v e n t o r y t h e geographic d i s t r i b u t i o n and a v a i l a b i l i t y of some o f t h e more d e s i r a b l e genera. The I n t e r n a t i o n a l Bureau f o r t h e P r o t e c t i o n of Genetic Resources i s c u r r e n t l y conducting such a study on t h e genus Medicago. T u n i s i a ' s f l o r a i n c l u d e s many s p e c i e s of p l a n t s i n genera of i n t e r e s t , i n c l u d i n g 24 s p e c i e s of M e d i c a ~ o , 34 s p e c i e s of T r i f o l i u m , 6 s p e c i e s of Hedysanun (two of which a r e of high i n t e r e s t f o r l o c a l propagation) and many s u b s p e c i e s of t h e s e and o t h e r forage p l a n t s ( F e s t u c a , D a c t y l i s , e t c . ) . Many s p s c i i s i n T u n i s i a a r e of high f o r a g e v a l u e without h y b r i d i z a t i o n and need only be i n c r e a s e d i n s u i t a b l e ecosystems ( e x . Hedysarum carnosum). Nabli (1987) suggested t h e propagation of s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of

Figure 2 Examples of Medicinal P l a n t S p e c i e s ( i n p a r t from Burrolet 1927, Nabli 1987)

Anthemis sp. Asphodelis sp. Bryocia d i o i c a Callitris articulata Capparis spinosa Daphne gnidium Eruca s a t i v a E r i c a sp. Ficus carica G l o b u l a r i a alypum Hyoscyamus a l b u s Lavandula m u l t i f i d a Nerium oleander Peganum harmala Pistacia lentiscus Portulaca oleracea Reseda a l b a Rosmarinus o f f i c i n a l i s Solanum sodomaeum Tamarix sp. Urginea maritima Zizyphus v u l g a r i s

Artemisia sp. Ajuga i v a Centaurium sp. Cuppressus sempervirecs Cynomorium coccineam Echinops bovei E. spinosus Euphorbia sp. Fumaria sp. Habiscus e s c u l e n t u s Lawsonia a l b a Myrtus commucis Opuntia f i c u s - i n d i c a P h o e ~ i xd a c t y l i f e r a Plantago e p . Punica granatum Retama raetam Ruta graveolsns Thapsia gargacica U r t i c a sp. Verbascum sinuatum Zygophyllum album

forage p l a n t s t h a t have become uncommon i n T u n i s i a , such a s : Graminees : Papilionaceaes: Cruciferae: Ulmaceae: Themeda t r i a n d r a Festuca dryme j a Bonjeania r e c t a Onobrychis a r g e n t e a a f r i c a n a A n t h y l l i s barba- j o v i s Brassica c r e t i c a ssp. a t l a n t i c a Celtis australis

2.3.2.

S p e c i e s i n Need o f P r o t e c t i o n

Of t h e 406 r a r e and very r a r e p l a n t s i n T u n i s i a , some have been dimicished t o t h e p o i n t t h a t they m e r i t s p e c i a l p r o t e c t i o n measures t o prevent t h e i r disappearance from t h e country. a he p r e s e r v a t i o n of a s p e c i e s i n a c o u n t r y r e q u i r e s more than j u s t s a v i n g some specimens i n gardens o r a r t i f i c i a l r e s e r v e s ; t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c ecosystem and a s s o c i a t e d p l a n t s must a l s o be preserved i n a n a r e a l a r g e enough t o ensure genetic v i a b i l i t y . Tree s p e c i e s a r e somewhat d i f f i c u l t t o p r e s e r v e o r expand i n Tunisia, due t o t h c g r e a t demand f o r fuelwood and fodder. However. c e r t a i n s p e c i e s have been reduced t o s c a t t e r e d groves and t h e i r continued presence i n Tunisia i s u n c e r t a i c u n l e s s a s s i s t a n c e i s given. Acacia r a d d i a n a i s a h i g h l y p a l a t a b l e t r e e s p e c i e s . During t h e Roman e r a t h e e n t i r e s o u t h of T u n i s i a was covered by a c a c i a s i n t h e p l a i n s , giving i t an appearance s i m i l a r t o Sudan o r sub-Saharan A f r i c a (P. Boudy i n : O S O 1962). By 1889 only 35,000 ha of t h e a c a c i a pseudo-savanna RT M were l e f t ; by 1921 i t was reduced t o 25,000 ha and o n l y 5,000 ha remained i n 1938. Today t h e r e a r e only about 10 ha o f t r u l y r e p r e s e n t a t i v e Acacia raddiana pseudo-savanna l e f t ( ~ i r .For. 1980). w i t h some s c a t t e r e d t r e e s elsewhere i n t h e region. The t r e e s a r e now p r o t e c t e d on more than 60,000 ha f o r t h e slow p r o c e s s of allowing them t o become r e - e s t a b l i s h e d i n t h e region around Bou Hedma c a l l e d 'Bled Talha'. Acer monspessulanum i s a r a r e maple t r e e t h a t grows a t t h e summits of Djebel Zaghouan, D j . Bargou and D j . S e r d j i n t h e T u n i s i a n Dorsal mountain range. Groves a t a l l 3 s i t e s a r e r e l a t i v e l y small. I f c u t t i n g were t o occur, r e g e n e r a t i o n would be made d i f f i c u l t by t h e f a c t t h a t t h e young t r e e s a r e p a l a t a b l e forage. Although probably n e v e r widespread i n T u n i s i a , t h e s p e c i e s m e r i t s s p e c i a l p r o t e c t i o n i n i t s p r e s e n t range. Cupressus sempervirens numidica, o r Maktar c y p r e s s , o n l y e x i s t s n a t u r a l l y i c t h r e e s m a l l s t a n d s i n t h e Kessera massif n e a r Maktar ( s e e P a r t 11, T r o p i c a l ~ o r e s t s ) . Although i t i s p l a n t e d widely a s a windbreak t r e e , t h e t h r e e n a t u r a l s t a n d s should be p r o t e c t e d . Quercus a f a r e s i s a r a r e oak t h a t once probably grew a s a v a s t f o r e s t i n Tunisia and A l g e r i a . Of t h e t h r e e remaining groves i n T u n i s i a , t h e one a t E l F e i d j a may be p r o t e c t e d a s p a r t of a n a t i o n a l park ( s e e Section 3.4.1 . I , acd 5 . 4 ) , b u t t h e grove a t Ain Zana i s s t i l l i n need of s e r i o u s protectioc.

Two o t h e r t r e e s of t h e Kroumirie m o w t a i c s t h a t a r e i c ceed of p r o t e c t i o n a r e J u g l a c s r e g i a and Prunus a v h m ( ~ a b l j1987). B ~ t h p e c i e s s a r e s c a t t e r e d acd c o t e a s i l y protected by t h e c r e a t i o n of s p e c i a l reserves. Therefore, r e s t r t c t i o c s oc c u t t i c g and c l e a r i c g must be s t r o c g l y ecforced. Hablj (1987) recommecded t h a t p r o t e c t i o n be g i v e c t o t h e following:

-Calligocun a z e l : a Saharac ' t r e e ' i n need o f p r o t e c t i o n from g r a z i n g - Cyclamen persicwn: acd c hraar rceo apl l makhg; need of p r o t e c t i o n from being very ant i c transplanted i n t o pots; - Euphorbia decdroides: i n need of p r o t e c t i o c a t Djebel Zaghouac; - P h y l l i t i s decdroides ando tP.t scolopecdrium: c roal lreec tfeedr c fsoirn pneedi a go.f p r e c i o c from being ott
6

2.3.3.

P r o t e c t i o c Ageccies

Cocservatioc of p l a n t r e s o u r c e s i s t h e r e s p o c s i b i l i t y of t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e ard t h e D i r e c t o r a t e of t h e Ecvirocmert. The Nature P r o t e c t i o r Associatioc acd t h e c e t i o c a l Kac acd Biosphere ( 1 . 1 ~ ~committee o l s o make ) r e c o n n ~ r d z t i o r x f o r ceedfd a c t i o c s . Research on p l a c t s of g e c e t i c v a l u e i s doce acd h e r b a ~ i m shave beec s t a r t e d by t h e agrocomy i n s t i t ~ t e s(INAT, ITEX" aed t h e Gecetic Resoorces Cecter of t h e I n s t i t u t e of S c i e n t i f i c Research (IGRST). A seed baed a t Ariaca ( ~ u c i s )w i t h a f i e l d s t a t i o c a t Ka;ro;er i s c z r r e c t l y maictaiced f o r t h e prodoctioc acd s t o r a g e of f o r e s t acd rzzge p l e c t seeds. Xdditiocal p r o t e c t i o n could be givec t o r a r e p l a c t s and p l a c t s of g e c e t l c value by i e c r e a s j c g and improvicg t h e seed back acd c r e a t i n g a n a t i o c a l b o t a c i c a l gardec. Improvemect of t h e seed back i s iccluded a s p a r t of t h e I.'atiocal A c t i - d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c S t r a t e g y ( ~ i c . Agr. 1985). Botecical gardecs s e r v e a s a gece back, r e s e a r c h s i t e acd s t a t i o c f o r i c t r o d x i c g p l a c t s t o c o l t i v a t i o n ( ~ e p o o d1987). These r o l e s a r e espec5elly valuable f o r crop r e l a t i v e s acd medicinal p l a c t s . The I U C N has a Boteric Carders Cocservatioc S e c r e t a r i a t based a t i t s CMC a t Kew, Erglard. The S e c r e t a r i a t would be h e l p f u l acd supportive of plans f o r a b o t a c l c e l gardec jr Tucisia.

2.4

FAUNA

Currently, about 7 5 s p e c i e s o f mammals ( ~ n n e x 21, 350 s p e c i e s of b i r d s ( ~ n n e x3) and more t h a n 500 s p e c i e s o f h e r p e s and f i s h occur i n Tunisia ( ~ i r .For. 1976). Exact f i g u r e s a r e d i f f i c u l t t o d e t e r m i r e , s i n c e new s p e c i e s continue t o be d i s c o v e r e d , o t h e r s a r e e x t i r p a t e d o r reintroduced, and taxonomic c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s change. A number of s p e c i e s have been l o s t from t h e mammalian fauna o f T u n i s i a and s e v e r a l o t h e r s a r e in danger. 2.4.1. Mammals

Over 7,000 y e a r s ago, a change i n t h e c l i m a t e of T u n i s i a r e s u l t e d i n t h e l o s s of many s p e c i e s o f animals, i n c l u d i n g rhinoceroes. Since t h a t time almost a l l e x t i r p a t i o n s of mammal s p e c i e s have been due t o hunting and h a b i t a t changes caused by man. E l e p h a n t s Loxodocta a f r i c a c a s t i l l e x i s t e d during t h e Roman e r a and were recorded i n t h e 1 s t century A.D. (IUCN 1987) a t Bled Talah, n e a r Bou Hedma. More r e c e n t l y , i c t h e 18001s, t h e r e were s t i l l a wide v a r i e t y of u n g u l a t e s and l a r g e c a t s . Barbary l i o n s Pacthera l e o l e o l i v e d i n t h e T u n i s i a n Dorsal mouctain racge i n t h e 1850s '(Monchicourt 1906), but t h e l a s t one was s h o t a t Babouch i n 1891 ( ~ i r .For. 1931 ). Only 34 y e a r s l a t e r , t h e l a s t barbary leopard Panthera ~ardus was k i l l e d (IUCN 1987) and by 1931 cheetahs Acinoryx jubatus were reduced t o a few i n t h e extreme s o u t h , which have s i n c e been eliminated. Duricg t h e French occupation of T u ~ i s i a ,u n g u l a t e populations were decimated by h u n t e r s . Although h a r t e b e a s t s Alcelaphus buselaphus were s t i l l abundant i n t h e s o u t h i n 1870, no v e r i f i e d r e p o r t s of t h e i r presence were recorded a f t e r 1931. Scimitar-horned oryx Oryx dammah and addax Addax nasomaculatus were uncommon, but s t i l l hunted i n t h e Sahara i n 1931. Soon a f t e r , both s p e c i e s were decreased t o a few animals, t h e e e x t i r p a t e d . The barbary d e e r Cervus e l a p h u s b a r b a r u s i s t h e only n a t i v e s p e c i e s o f d e e r i n a f r i c a . Large numbers of b a r b a r y d e e r were hunted and k i l l e d (many by American s o l d i e r s d u r i n g WWII), b u t t h e i r s e c r e t i v e c a t a r e and mountain h a b i t a t p r o t e c t e d s m a l l p o p u l a t i o n s u n t i l t h e 1950s. A f t e r t h e d e e r became p r o t e c t e d , t h e y d i s p e r s e d back i n t o T u n i s i a from Algeria (where they were s t i l l hunted) i n t h e 1960s. There a r e t h r e e barbary d e e r E l F e i d j a , Ain Baccouch and Mhibes ( s e e S e c t i o n reserves i n Tunisia The t o t a l d e e r p o p u l a t i o n o f T u n i s i a i s now somewhere around 1,500. 5.4).

T u n i s i a ' s t h r e e s p e c i e s of g a z e l l e s were decimated by h u r t i n g , poaching and h a b i t a t d e g r a d a t i o n , b u t were never completely e x t i r p a t e d . C u v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s Gazella c u v i e r i were reduced t o a s m a l l number a t t h e southwest end of t h e Tunisian Dorsal mountain range, but once they were p r o t e c t e d , a d d i t i o n a l animals immigrated from Algeria and r e i n h a b i t e d some of t h e i r former range. There i s a r e s e r v e a t Kechem e l Kelb f o r Cuvier's g a z e l l e s and many o t h e r s f i n d r e f u g e i c Chambi N.P. ( s e c t i o n 3.4.3.1 1. Dorcas g a z e l l e s ~ a z e l l ad o r c a s once i n h a b i t e d t h e p l a i n s of Kairouac, b u t they a r e cow r e s t r i c t e d t o t h e s o u t h e r n p l a i n s , where h u c t i c g pressure i s compoucded by h a b i t a t l o s s t o d e s e r t i f i c a t i o n . Slender-horced g a z e l l e s Gazella l e p t o c e r o s a r e a b l i t o s u r v i v e t h e h a r s h c l i m a t i c c o c d i t i o n s of

t h e Sahara and d e s e r t i c steppes. Although probably never numerous, elender-horned g a z e l l e s became q u i t e r a r e i n t h e r e c e n t past. Currectly, e c a t t e r e d populations have been i n c r e a s i n g i n number. Whether on not b u f f a l o Bubalis b u b a l i s a r e t r u l y n a t i v e t o Tunisia i s u n c e r t a i c , but doubtful. However, i t i s believed t h a t t h e r e were b u f f a l o a t Ichkeul i n Carthaginian times and t h e r e were about 1,000 i n 1882 ( ~ 1 Ghezal 1982). A f t e r uncontrolled hunting, only 3 b u f f a l o remained i n 1961. P r o t e c t i o n measures were taken and a reproduction program was s t a r t e d a t Dar Chichou t o i n c r e a s e t h e herd. Aoudad hUm0tra~uS l e r v i a ( a l s o known a s barbary mountain eheep) were once foucd on almost a l l of t h e mountains of south-central Tunisia; e s p e c i a l l y Djebels Chambi, Selloum, Semmama, Bou Hedma, Berda, Oum A l i and Tebaga ( ~ a v a u d e c1924). Hunting eliminated t h e aoudad from many of t h e mountaics, but small groups survived n e a r Chambi, Bou Hedma, Tebaga, e t c . and once p r o t e c t i o c was given, t h e slow process of reproduction and disperslor, begac. The r e c o l o ~ i z a t i o nof former range i s hampered by hucticg ard h a b i t a t degradation. I f berbary hyeca Hyaeca hyaana barbara were n o t completely sliminated from T . ~ c i s i ei c t h e p a s t , t h e i r numbers were reduced t o very few animals. Dispersioc from hyeca populations i n Algeria s t a r t e d t h e populatioc of hyecas i c T a c i s i a i n c r e a s i n g . Today, hyenas a r e spreading north and eastward alocg t h e Tunisian Dorsal, High T e l l and High Steppe r e l a t i v e l y r a p i d l y . t h e animals a r e becoming l o c a l l y numerous, e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e Kasserice regioc.
Nor-k s e a l s Mocachus mocachus were once found on T u n i s i a ' s n o r t h c o a s t , Zembra i s l a n d acd Cap ~ o m h i e 1978). Today, t h e only l o c a t i o n i n r Tunisia where t h a t ecdangered mammal i s found i s t h e G a l i t e archipelago n (~ectioc 3.2.1 1. A English e x p e d i t i o n i n 1978 found only 5 a d u l t s and one juvenile a t t h e archipelago ( ~ o s s e r1978). Although t h e s e c r e t i v e c a t u r e of t h e s e a l s may have r e s u l t e d i n an underestimation of t h e number, i t i s n o t l i k e l y t h a t t h e r e were more than 10 s e a l s a t t h a t time. The low numbar caused concerc t h a t t h e r e would be an u l t i m a t e breeding c o l l a p s e due t o lack of g e n e t i c d i v e r s i t y . A decrease i n s i g h t i n g s i n r e c e n t y e a r s has added t o t h e coccern f o r t h e s e a l s . Only one monk s e a l was observed a t G a l i t e i n 1986 (IUCN 1987) and i t i s n o t l i k e l y t h a t t h e population w i l l recover on i t s om..

European r a b b i t s O r y c t o l a m s c u n i c u l u s o r i g i n a t e d i n North Africa and then spread i n t o West Europe. A North African subspecies 0. c. a 1 i r u s l i v e s on t h r e e of T u n i s i a ' s a r c h i p e l a g o s ( G a l i t e , Zembra, K u r i a i h i s p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e r a b b i t s may have been brought t o t h e i s l a n d s by Phoeniciacs ( G a u l t h i e r 1978) a s a food r e s e r v e , o r they may have crossed land bridges from t h e mainland when t h e s e a s were lower during g l a c i a l periads. There a r e no r a b b i t s on t h e mainland today, s o t h i s North African ecdemic subspecies i s of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t a s a g e n e t i c resource. O t h i r animals of i n t e r e s t i n c l u d e r a r e o t t e r s Lutra l u t r a , which occur
i r t h e l a k e s acd r i v e r s of n o r t h e r c T u c i s i a ; wild boar Sus s c r o f a

b a r b a n s , which a r e numerods n o r t h of t h e High Steppe and sparse i n t h e s o u t h e r c mountaice; acd a shrew Suncus e t r u s c u s t h a t is s a i d t o be t h e s m a l l e s t mammal i c t h e world.

A l l of t h e l a r g e mammals of T u n i s i a a r e t h r e a t e n e d , with t h e exception o f t h e wild boar. The boar i s a hardy animal t h a t i s u n w i t t i n g l y p r o t e c t e d by t h e I s l a m i c p r o h i b i t i o n on e a t i n g pork. Rare and endangered mammals l i s t e d f o r T u n i s i a i n t h e I U C N Red Data Book ( i n : Grant 1980) i n c l u d e t h e barbary hyena, barbary d e e r , d o r c a s g a z e l l e , Cuvier's g a z e l l e and slender-horned g a z e l l e .

S e v e r a l mammal s u b s p e c i e s a r e endemic t o North A f r i c a ; t h e s e i n c l u d e r a b b i t s and t h e l a r g e r mammals, such a s barbary d e e r , barbary hyena and (according t o some) t h e I c h k e u l b u f f a l o . F u l l s p e c i e s of mammals endemic t o North Africa a r e a l l r o d e n t s and a r e noted i n Annex 2. 2.4.2. Birds

T u ~ i s i a ' sa v i a n fauna i n c l u d e s North A f r i c a n endemic (Moussier's r e d s t a r t ) acd sub-Saharan (black-headed bush s h r i k e ) s p e c i e s a s w e l l a s many t h a t a r e t h r e a t e n e d throughout t h e i r range. Rare and endangered b i r d s l i s t e d i n t h e Red Data Book (IUCN 1985) t h a t occur i n Tunisia icclildi : White s t o r k Marbled t e a l White-headed duck Red k i t e White-tailed s e a e a g l e Bearded v u l t u r e Peregrine Audouin ' s g u l l Red-necked n i g h t j a r Houbara b u s t a r d L i t t l e bustard S l e n d e r - b i l l e d curlew

L i t t l e b ~ s t a r d sa r e l i s t e d because they once occurred i n n o r t h e r n T u n i s i a , and s t i l l may, b u t t h e i r s t a t u s i s u n c e r t a i n . O s t r i c h e s were e x t i r p a t e d from T u n i s i a e a r l i e r t h i s c e n t u r y , b u t t h e y have been reintroduced a t Bou Hedma N a t i o n a l Park ( s e c t i o n 5.4.4). Griffon v u l t u r e s , bearded v a l t u r e s and w h i t e - t a i l e d s e a e a g l e s were hunted i n t h e beginning of t h e c e c t u r y and a r e now very r a r e l y seen i n Tunisia. One of t h e most important s i t e s f o r m i g r a t i n g r a p t o r s and p a s s e r i n e b i r d s i s t h e Cap Bon p e c i n s u l a . Cap Bon i s an i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y important b o t t l e n e c k a r e a f o r migratory b i r d s i n t h e Mediterranean region r rim met 1987). Aboat 40,000 r a p t o r s of over 20 s p e c i e s r e s t a t Cap Bon before c r o s s i n g t h e Mediterranean s e a t o S i c i l y i n t h e s p r i n g . The most common s p e c i e s reported a r e honey buzzard, black k i t e , buzzard, marsh h a r r i e r , l e s s e r k e s t r e l and k e s t r e l . Many p a s s e r i n e s a l s o r e s t a t Cap Bon b e f o r e making t h e 150 k f l i g h t . Large numbers of sparrowhawks were formerly m captured f o r use i n q u a i l h u n t i n g , but t h i s p r a c t i c e has been r e s t r i c t e d t o a very small number today. T u c i s i a a l s o h a s s i t e s of very h i g h i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance f o r waterfowl acd waders. The most important s i t e s a r e Lake I c h k e u l , t h e Gulf of Gabes and Sebkhet K e l b i a , d e s c r i b e d i n S e c t i o n s 3.3.1.1, 3.l.4 and 3.3.2.4, r + s p e c t i v e l y .

2.4.3.

Hunticg

The H s c t i c g Department ( S e r v i c e d e l a ~ h a s s e )of t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e i s r e s p o c s i b l e f o r t h e o r g a c i z a t i o c of h c c t i c g i c T i x i s j a . T h i s i c v o l v e s deterrnicing s p e c i e s t o be h ~ c t e d ,d a t e s o f opecicg acd c l o s i c g of s e a s o c s , l o c a t i o c s where h u c t i c g i s t o be allowed acd a c c e p t a b l e h w t i n g methods and equipment. The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e i s a l s o r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e ecforcemect of h ~ c t i n gr e g ~ l a t i o c s . H-ictj.cg c l u b s a r e o r g a c i e e d i c each g o u v e r n o r a t , and mazy play an i m p o r t a n t r o l e i c promoticg w i l d l i f e c o n s e r v a t i o c .

IL 1933, 11,076 h;lr.ticg l i c e c s e s were s o l d and 590 m e t r i c t o c s of game meat were p r o d ~ c e d i c a d d i t i o c t o t r o p h i e s . T h i s anoccted t o 1.2 m i l l i o c T ~ c i s i a c i c a r s , o r 1 0 s of t h e t o t a l v a l s e o f f o r e s t r y r e l a t e d p r o d u c t s D h a r v e s t e d . The amouct h a s docbled i c t h e f o l l o w i c g y e a r s .
I.!ild b o a r s a r e e s p e c i a l l y poplilar game w i t h f o r e i e c h m t e r s . h ~ c t e dgame i c c l ~ d e s : 3rovc h a r e A l g e r l a c hedgehog Barbbry p a r t r i d g e Q;;a i 1 Sacd gro>sse T ~ r t l edove Stock dove Xmd Pigear. Greylag goose Pictaj1 Shoveler Eallard Wigeor Teal Gargarey Pochard Tlifted dsck !!oorhec Coot Uoodcock Plovers Lapwicg
Lsrks

Other

Rock dove

2.4.4.

Pauca P r o t e c t j o c

H ~ c t i c gr a r e a r d roc-game s p e c i e s i s p r o h i b i t e d . To c o c s e r v e t h e r a r e acd ecdacgered f a ~ c a ,32 mammal s p e c i e s acd macy b i r d s p e c i e s were scbmitted f o r i c c l c s i o c c c d e r t h e r e g ~ l e t i o c ss e t by t h e Cocvectioc o c I c t e r r a t i o c a l "ade o f Zcdacgered Specj e s (CITES). There a r e a l s o nacy c z t j o ~ a lp a r k s acd r e s e r v e s ( S e c t i o c 5.4) acd approxjmately o c e - t h i r d o f t h e COir.try i s c l o s e d t o h s c t i c g each year. The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e , D i r e c t o r a t e of t h e Ecvirocmect, T u c j s i a n Matiire P r o t e c t i o c A s s o c i a t i o n (ATPIIE) and t h e c a t i o c a l o r c i t h o l o g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o ~( A A O )a r e a l l i n v o l v e d i n c o c s e r v a t i o c a c t i v i t i e s ( s e e S e c t i o c The AAO was e s p e c i a l l y i c s t r c n e c t a l i n g a j c i c g p r o t e c t j o c f o r 5.4). n i g r a t i c g r a p t o r s oc Cap Boc.
A cane wardec (earde-chasse) acd m e o r two a s s i s t a c t s i s a s s i g c e d t o each g o ~ v e r c o r a t , b ~ with t e r r i t o r i e s of c p t o 3 , 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 ha t h e i r t e f f e c t j v e c e s s i s l i m i t e d . A d d i t i o n a l s t a f f , c o m m ~ r l c a t i o cacd o b s e r v a t i ~ c eq5ipner.t ar.d t r a i c i c q a r e ceeded.

3.

PRIMARY ECOSYSTENS O TUFISIA F 3.1. COASTAL ZONES

2 With 1200 k o f c o a s t l i n e acd a s u r f a c e a r e a of 164,000 k , T u c i s i a m m has oce of t h e h i g h e s t c o a s t 1 i c e : s u r f a c e a r e a r a t i o s i c A r i c a . A marine zone t o a depth o f 200 meters c o v e r s a c a r e a of 77,300 km ( ~ c d r e c1978). The. e x t e n s i v e l e n g t h of c o a s t l i c e ( f i g u r e 3) adds s i g n i f i c a c t l y t o t h e biologj.ca1 d i v e r s i t y s i n c e t h e r e i s a change i n t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c f l o r a and fauca o f t h e c o a s t a l and marice ecosystems a s o r e progresses form t h e humid rocky c o a s t s i n t h e n o r t h t o t h e shallow sandy c o a s t a l a r e a s ucder t h e i c f l s e c c e of t h e Sahara i c t h e south.

C o a s t a l w a t e r s a r e i n f l u e n c e d by t h e East acd West Medlterraceac b a s i c s en-0thmac 1973). Water i c t h e West Medjterraceac b a s i c , which a f f e c t s t h e c o r t h c o a s t , i s o f t e e mixed with n i i t r i e c t r i c h water from t h e A t l a c t i c oceac, e s p e c i a l l y i c t h e w i c t e r . The south coast i s more a f f e c t e d by t h e E a s t Mediterranear b a s i c , which has s l i g h t l y warmer water with a h i g h e r s a l t c o c t e c t . The East acd West b a s i c s a r e a c t i i a l l y t h e deep o f f s h o r e waters. basic Shallower w a t e r s c l o s e r t o s h o r e a r e p a r t of t h e Sicslzlo-"njsiar o r S t r e e t o f S i c i l y (Vac Dijk :986), which s t r e t c h e s from T ~ c i s j at.o S i c i l y acd o r t o I t a l y , d i v i d i r g t h e East ard Mest Wedjterrareac b a s i c s . A l t h o ~ g hA t l a n t i c t i d e s do not p e c e t r a t e f a r i c t o t h e deep waters of t h e !s!editerraceac, t h e weak t i d e s of t h e c u r r e c t t h a t flows through t h e S t r e e t of S i c i l y a r e amplified by t h e r i s i c g s e a f l o o r of t h e Pelagean s e a and t h e Gslf of Gabes ( ~ a c Dijk 1986). T h e r e f o r e , although t h e s t e e ~ l y s l o p i c g s e a bottom of t h e c o r t h c o a s t r e s u l t s i n n e g l i g i b l e t i d e s , t h e shallow Gclf of Gabes has t i d a l amplitudes of up t o 2 meters. The T u c i s j a c c o a s t i s c l e a r e r t h a c macy o t h e r p a r t s of t h e Kediterreneac; r e v e r t h e l e s s , p o l l i i t i o c i s a s e r i o u s problem a f f e c t i c g t h e marice f a x a acd f l o r a . ?.lost of T u c j s j . a l s i x d c s t r y i s l o c a t e d o r t h e c o a s t acd a c t i - p o l l s t i o c r e e c l a t i o c s a r e c o t ecforced s t r o c g l y ecoiigh t o prevect d i s c h a r g e o f chemical wastes i n t o t h e s e a . I c t h e 1970s, off-shore d r i l l i c e r e s s l t e d jr e r average average of 300,000 t o e s of o i l r e l e a s e d i n t o t h e s e a ( ~ c d r e cacd Salem 1978). P r o d ~ c t i o nh a s decreased s i n c e t h e e , but p o l l u t i o c s t i l l occurs. Phosphate p l a c t s a t Sfax and Gabes r e l e a s e coctamicated water i n t h e s e a . Some t r e a t m e c t o f wastewater i s done, but i t i s inadequate f o r t h e a r n o ~ c t s produced. Olive o i l acd soap p r o c e s s i n g p l a n t s , c a c n e r i e s , cemect f a c t o r i e s , t a c n e r i e s , paper p l a c t s acd chemical i c d u s t r i e s a l l r e l e a s e waste products i n t o t h e s e a . Other i n d ~ s t r i e sr e l e a s e l u b r i c a t 5 o c o i l , s o l v e n t s , d e t e r g e c t s , m e t a l l i c powders, heavy m e t a l s , a c i d compoucds, e t c . with t h e i r wastewater. Althoueh some i n d u s t r i e s a r e improving p o l l c t i o c c o c t r o l p r a c t i c e s , i n d u s t r i a l expacsSoc a l o c g t h e c o a s t i s r e s z l t i c g i n ) i c c r e e s i c g t o t a l amounts of p o l l ~ t a c t s . Darmozl e t 61. ( 1 9 8 ~ reported t h a t c h e n j c a l i c d z s t r i a l wastes a t Gabes have cacsed have cs,sed d i v e r s e damage t o t h e marire ecvirocmect.

Figure 3 Coastal Zones of T u n i s i a

Coral Coast Gulf of Tunis Gulf of Hammamet Gulf of Gabes

2.

3.

4.

LIBYA

Urban wastes (sewage) a l s o a l t e r c o a s t a l ecosystems. V i r t u a l l y a l l of t h e major c i t i e s d i s c h a r g e a t l e a s t some u n t r e a t e d sewage i n t o t h e s e a , a s w e l l a s l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s o f p a r t i a l l y t r e a t e d wastewater. Runoff from a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d s c a r r i e s chemical compounds such a s n i t r o g e n f e r t i l i z e r s and over 35 t y p e s of p e s t i c i d e s , i n c l u d i n g : Malathion, D i e l d r i n e , Lindane and 2.4-D ( ~ n d r e n and Salem 1978). Chemical compounds a f f e c t t h e marine f l o r a and fauna and some can be passed on t h e t h e b i r d s , 'wild mammals and people t h a t e a t seafood.

I n a d d i t i o n t o chemical p o l l u t i o n , c o a s t a l a r e a s a r e e e n s i t i v e t o :
S h o r e l i n e development S h o r e l i n e degradation: Erosion due t o g r a z i n g , v e g e t a t i o n removal, s o i l disruption

3.1 .1

Coral h a r v e s t i n g

Coral Coast

The c o r t h c o a s t from Tabarka t o B i z e r t e i s a l s o known a s the "Coral Coast". The Kroumirie/~ogod mountain ranges give t h e c o a s t l i n e i t s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t e e p s l o p e s , low c l i f f s and rocky s h o r e s , i n t e r s p e r s e d with sandy beaches and c o a s t a l p l a i c s . Even where t h e mouctaic edges a r e under t h e s e a , t h e s l o p e s remain f a i r l y s t e e p . The depth i s g r e a t e r than m 100 m w i t h i n 1 0 k of t h e s h o r e a l o n g almost t h e e n t i r e c o a s t . The c o n t i n e n t a l s h e l f i s narrow, o f t e n with a rough s t e e p s l o p e and c u t with deep channels ( ~ z o u z1975). The Mediterranean s e a moderates t h e ambient temperatures of t h e c o a s t . 0 Near Tabarka t h e average annual temperature i s a t t h e 16 C isotherm. 0 Progressing e a s t , t h e average annual temperatuge i n c r e a s e s t o the 17 C isotherm near Cap Negro, and a t B i z e r t e t h e 18 C isotherm i s reached. Domicact winds a r e from t h e W-NW, b r i n g i n g moist a i r i n from the s e a . Annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n d e c r e a s e s from a r a t e o f > 900 mm a n n u a l l y t o 600 mm annually a s one progresses eastward along t h e Coral Coast. P r e c i p i t a t i o n p a t t e r n s appear t o be r e l a t e d more t o t h e presence of t h e mountain ranges than t o c o a s t a l i c f l u e n c e s .
A.

Vegetation

Coastal v e g e t a t i o n t y p e s r e f l e c t t h o s e of t h e i n l a n d f o r e s t s , b u t t r e e s a r e o f t e n s t u n t e d , r e s u l t i n g i n v a s t c o a s t a l maquis. S a l t i n t o l e r a n t s p e c i e s , such a s a l e p p o pine P i n u s h a l e p e n s i s , a r e replaced by more t o l e r a n t s p e c i e s ; however, t h e r e i s a s i z a b l e aleppo pine f o r e s t a t Ras e l Korac, aboat 15 km west of B i z e r t e .

Maqcis. Fron Tabarka t o Cap S e r r a t t h e c o a s t a l r i d g e s a r e o f t e c P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c c s ( r e f e r r e d t o a s Oleacovered w j t h Olea eurooaea l e c t i s c s ) domirated maqiiis w i t h v a r y i n g d e n s i t i e s o f holm oak Ouercus i l e x . Cork oek C. s u h e r erows b e t t e r i c d r y e r a r d warmer c o c d i t i o c s , but i t i s o f t e c a compocect of t h e maquis, a s i s z e c oak Q c a n a r i e c s i s , which ; grows i c c o o l r a v i n e s dowc t o t h e s e a . O t h e r comrnoc woody p l a c t s of t h e c o a s t a l maquis a r e :

Qiierca coccif era C i s t u s r n o ~ s p e le c s i s i H y r t z s cornmixis Erica multiflora Arbiit~isunedo P h i l l y r e a a c g ~ s t i f 3 l i amedia

Lavacdula a t o e c h a s Rosmaricus o f f i c j c a l l s Calycotome v i l l o s a Rhamnus s p . J c c k p e r u s phoecicea J. o x y c e d r ~ s

d 3,cts. Vast expacses nf nov:c< s ~ r d s c e s have formed a l 3 c g t h e m r t h c o a s t . n u r e f o r m a t i o c i s a dyranSc p r x e s s whereby l a r c e a r e a s a r e covered w j t h s a c d , t h e r r e v e g e t a t e acd a r e ofter. covered a g a l c over a period cf mar.!: y e a r s . A t t h e n b i t h of Oiled :?elah, more t h e r :039 ha were covered by d x e s . The F n r e s t r y D j r e c t o r a t e s t a b l l i z e d 960 ha, l e a v i c g abo_t 80C ha. Vegetated d x i e s were p l a c t e d t o e - c a l y p t c s , a c a c t a , m a r i t i n e p i r e P i c u s ina aster ar.d o t h e r t r e e s p e c i e s . The ~ c d e r g r o w t ht h a t icvaded c a t u r a l l y i s v e r y s i m i l a r t o t h e maqcis v e g e t a t i o ~d r s c r i b e d above, b c t r o t q c i t e a s d e c s e . Also o c c c r r i c e a r e : Retena morosperne hanophila e r e c a r i a S c r o F ~ l a r i asanbzci f o l t a Crnciacslla maritlna

O r t h s s t a b i l i z e d d u r e s of Sao:iaria, west. of O,chtata, t h e v e g e t a t i o c i s c h a r a c t e r i . z e d by a c o n p l e t e s e a u e r c e g o i c g from A . a r e e a r i a t o kermes Lot oek Csercus c o c c i f e r a , w i t h some z c c e s d o n i r a t e d by -- c s c r e t i c i i s , Retana mocosDerna, J ; c i p e r ~ s oxycedriis a r d 4, o h o e c j c e a . The s i t e h a s t h e ar l a r g e s t s t a c d s of k e r c e s 3ak i r ~ ; r i s j i m d P e t e r k e r :969).
Watersheds. k l o c g t h e r a v i r e s acd s t r e a m b e d s t h e r e a r e a s s o c i a t i o c s c h a r a c t ~ r i z e dby J s c c ~ ssp. a r d o l e a c d e r 1Ierii;m o l e a c d e r . Where t h e r e js r ~ c c i c gw a t e r , c a t t a i l s Typha a c g u s t i f o l i a a r e o f t e n prese~t.. Rarshes. A t Cap S e r r a t t h e r e a r e f r e s h w a t e r c o a s t a l marshes s u r r o ~ c d e d by a rnaquis o f Lavandula s t o e c h a s , Arbiitus ucedo and kermes oak. The marsh v e g e t a t j o r i c c l u d e s :
m .

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C l a d i m mariscus ~ e x r i o m coplciedes s Carex pseudocj.perix Campar:;la alata

Themeda t r i n c d r a Alcus g l u t 5 ~ 3 s a Csmucda r e g a l i s

and nary r a r e ( ~ a d f a r da r d P e t e r k e c 1963) acd X3rth A f r j c a r ecdenjc s p e c i e s , s ~ i c ha s T h ~ n e d ot r i a c d r n a r d Ct-cista -1c5 c a . ?arSce f l c r a . \'ecetat5or. o r t h e c a r r o w , \;r.ever. c o c t i r . s c t a 1 s h e l f js ir.fli;er.ced by A t l a c t i c s z r f a c r v a t e r r i r t h e \ < i c t e r acd I.:edit.errarear w a t e r s IT. i c c e r (bzo-z 1375b). The h e t e r 9 g e c e o z s b3ttom zcd t h e the s

combination of s u r f a c e w a t e r s produce a very hjgh s p e c i e s d i v e r s i t y along t h e c o r t h c o a s t . Alocg t h e c o a s t , and e s p e c i a l l y i c t h e C a l j t e c h a c c e l , t h e f l o r a 3ncll;de Arondo docax and R i c i m s commucis (IUCN 1987). Red a l g a e s p e c i e s , such a s Chocd-ius c r i s p u s a r e commoc, a s w e l l a s a rumber of g r e e c seaweeds (ex. Udotea p e t i o l a t a s ) and Leptometra pha1ace;im 5,s presect. P r o g r e s s i n g seaward, t h e r e a r e C r i d a r i s f u c i c u l i n a p r a i r i e s on t h e high bottoms, which a r e replaced by I s i d e l l a i e t h e middle depths where t h e r e a r e l i g h t - s o i l e d b a t h y s a l b o w z o u z 1975b'.

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Mammals. Racy of t h e mammals of t h e upland f o r e s t s a l s o range i n t o t h e c o a s t a l maquis and p l a i n s . Of s p e c i a l s j g n i f i c a c c e is t h e presence of o t t e r L u t r a l u t r a s i g c a l o c g macy of t h e r i v e r s t h a t d r a i n i n t o t h e s e a . Common mammals i n c l u d e : wild boar Sus S c r o f a , j a c k a l C a c i s aiireiis, red fox V ~ l p e s vulpes, Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon ar.d brow. hare Lepus c a p e c s i s . A v a r i e t y of r o d e n t s a l s o l i v e along t h e c o a s t .

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Birds. Althozgh t h e d i v e r s i t y of s h o r e b i r d s acd waterfowl i s not n e a r l y a s g r e a t a s i t i s i n t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s of t h e s o s t h e r n c o a s t , t h e d i v e r s i t y of uplacd c o a s t a l h a b i t a t s r e s u l t s i n a f a i r s p e c i e s r i c h n e s s f o r t h e b i r d s of t h e Coral Coast. A sample of t h e bird s p e c i e s 3.2.: ), ard : ircliides those l i s t e d f o r the C a l i t e archipelago ( ~ e c t j o c Biizzard Long-le~ged biizzard 3arsh h a r r j e r Barbary p a r t r i d g e Palm dove Eee-eater Eulbiil Great t i t S a r d i c i a c warbler Dartford warbler N jghtineale Blackbird Black-eared wheatear Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Chaff inch

Marine Fauna. F!i.ch b i o l o g i c a l d j v e r s i t y i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e c o r t h c o a s t a l w a t e r s , e s p e c i a l l y aroucd t h e G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o . Red c o r a l C o r a l l i m r ~ b r u nforms macy r e e f s and t h e r e a r e a varSety of molliiscs, f i s h acd e v e r s ~ j c y o b s t e r P a l j c u r u s elaphas. Fish s p e c i e s reported by l C a o l t h i e r (1 978) iccliide: Pagellus pagellos Boops s a l p a Cornica c i g r a Serranus s c r i b a Karaena helena C. Moroce l a b r a x Labrus b j maculatiis Diplodus s a r g u s Mullus surmuletiis

Icfluences Crazing i s f a i r l y heavy a l o n g most of t h e c o a s t . The e f f e c t s of t h e grazing a r e a s h i f t i n s p e c i e s composjtion t o l e s s p a l a t a b l e s p e c i e s , decreased v e g e t a t i o c cover and i n c r e a s e d e r o s i o n . C r a z i r g animals may a l s o d i s t i r b b i r d s dl;ricg t h e c e s t i c g season and l i n j t t h e e f f e c t i v e range of some s p e c i e s of mamnals.

Ic t h e maquis, H y r t u s cornnucis acd rosemary Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s bracches a r e h a r v e s t e d f o r t h e d i s t i l l a t i o c of o i l s acd f r a g r a c c e s . Large q ~ a c t i t i e so f t h e p l a c t s a r e c u t , wbich a l t e r s t h e s p e c i e s c o n p o s j t i o c a i d decreases v e g e t a t i o c cover.
S p e c i e s c o n p o s i t i o c was a l s o a l t e r e d by r e f o r e s t a t i o c work d o r e by t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e . Large a r e a s have been p l a n t e d t o p i c e , e u c a l y p t u s and a c a c i a . Eiicalyptus p l a c t a t i o n s have ac e s p e c i a l l y s i g r i f i c a c t 5.r-fluerce o c s p e c i e s c o m p o s i t i o c s i c c e a l l e l o p a t h i c conpoucds produced by t h e t r e e s r e s t r i c t t h e growth o f o t h e r s p e c i e s acd o f t e c v i r t u a l l y elimicate t h e lower v e g e t a t i o n s t r a t a . Small a g r i c n l t u r a l p l o t s a r e developed a l o c g p a r t of t h e c o a s t c o t a b l y a t Cap S e r r a t a c d S j d j Nechree. T h e r e a r e a l s o s e v e r a l v i l l a g e s alocg the coast. 3.1.2. C ~ l f f T u ~ i s : E i z e r t e t o E l Haouaria ( c a p b r ) o

The c o a s t f r o n R i z e r t e t o Raf Raf ( P o r t n ~ a r i c a ! i s a t r a c s j t j o c from t h e rocky s h o r e s s r d s t ? s l o y i c g b g t t o n s o f t h c Coral Coast t o t h e s h 6 l l a v e r w a t e r s acd h i g h e r p e r c e c t a c e of s a c d y beaches i c t h e C c l f of u T m i s . Fron P6f Raf t~ S o l i n a r t h e c o a s t l i r e 5s f a i r l y 1 ~ acd f l a t w i t h macy c o a s t e l p l a l c s ecd a c e s t i e r y a t t h e mccth of Oied Xedjerda. A t Kocrbo,~ acd a g a j c a t E l Yao;aria t h e s h o r e s a r e s t e e p acd rocky dlie t o t h e e x t e c s j ~ cof t h e Y i c j s i a c 9 o r s a l m o u c t a i c r a r g e t h r a c g h Cap Eoc. I c s j d e a l i c e f r a n B i z e r t e t o F1 Hao,aria t h e a r e a of t h e s e a deeper t h a ~ :OC n i s r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l . S a l l r i t y i c t h e Gjilf of Tiicjs a v e r a g e s 37 ppt a r d w a t e r t e n p e r a t i r e s a v e r a g e 17' C (Flee-0thmac 1973). Shallow w a t e r acd t h e s h e l t e r ~ c ge f f e c t s o f t h e bay f o r n e d by t h e Cap Boc p e c i c s u l a , b g r e a t l y a f f e c t t h e p h y s i c a l a ~ d S o l o ~ i c a lc o n p o c e r t s o f t h e c o a s t . Year a c e ~ a lt e r n p ~ r a t i i r e sf r o n B i z e r t e t o T ~ c j s r e s l i g h t l y h i g h e r a 6 t h a r :8 C. Fron Ti;cj.s t o E l H a o ~ a r i at h e moiictairs of Cap 3oc r e s c l t i c 0 a s l i g h t d r o p i c a v e r a g e ternperat.ires, biit t h e y a r e s t i l l c e e r :8 C. The average a c c i i a l p r e c i p i t a t i o r r a t e d r o p s from 600 m a t B i z e r t e t o 500 a t Ref Raf, t h e e t o dCO 500 nun fror. T u c i s t o Korboiis. Betweec Korbous ard E l Yaoiiaris t h e a c r ~ a lp r e c i p i t a t j o ~i s iccreased by t h e n~crtajc i c f l i i e c c e t o 500 700 mm.

Ocly o r e o c t o f f i v e d a y s i s calm i n T u c i s . Domicact wicds a r e from t h e w-nil, b u t e a s t wicds a r e a l s o very common and l a c d - s e a b r e e z e s a r e reg,lar. The b i o c l i m a t e i s Subhemid, h o t w i c t e r v a r i a r t . Ocly 15 kn i c l a c d t h e b i o c l i m a t e chacges t o S e n i - a r i d S u p e r j o r .

k c h o f t h e iiplacd from B i z e r t e t o Raf Ref i s c > i l t j v a t e d . There i s a l a r g e p l a c t a t j o c ( c . 3 , 0 0 0 h a ) o f njxed t r e e s p e c i e s b o r d e r i c g over 10 k m of coest1ir.e b c t w ~ e r . 3 z e r t e acd Cap Zebjb. A t Cap % b i b t h e n o , r t a k s meet s e a , r e s i i l t i c e i c a r e a s o f rocky, eroded s n r d s t o c e c o a s t l j c e i c t e r s p e r s e d an9r.g t h e s a r d y beaches. Tide1 p ~ o l s i t h a v a r i e t y of f a m a w acd f l o r a a r e comnor. i c t h e rocky h r e a s .

Raf Raf i s h i g h l y c u l t i v a t e d , e x c e p t t h e t i p of t h e p o i n t and t h e h i g h e r ridges. On u n c u l t i v a t e d land t h e r e i s a degraded f o r e s t of carob and wild o l i v e europaea o l e a s t e r and a spontaneous o f aleppo pine P i n u s h a l e p e n s i s . T h i s i s a l s o t h e only l o c a t i o c i n T u n i s i a where t h e r a r e P i n u s microphylla grows a ad ford and Peterken 1979). South of Ghar e l Melh and e x t e n d i n g t o Cap Gammarth i s t h e Medjerda d e l t a ; t h e only e x t e n s i v e l i t t o r a l p l a i n i n n o r t h e r n Tunisia en-0thman 1973). The l i t t o r a l p l a i n e x t e n d s about 1 0 k i n l a n d and reaches almost m 20 k i n l a n d near Oued Medjerda. Much of t h e h i g h e r land of t h e Oued m Medjerda f l o o d p l a i n has been c u l t i v a t e d . Uncultivated land i s vegetated t o p l a n t s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of h a l o p h i l e a s s o c i a t i o n s ( s e e S e c t i o n 3.3.2), includicg: Suaeda sp. Cynodon d a c t y l o c Halocnemum sp. Limonium sp. Arthrocnemum sp. A t r i p l e x sp.

From Gammarth t o Soliman much of t h e c o a s t i s low with sandy s h o r e s o r t h e r e i s a sandy f r i n g e where t h e h i l l s reach t h e sea. Upland a r e a s were o r i g i c a l l y vegetated t o O l e a - l e n t i s c u s formations, but now most of t h e land i s c u l t i v a t e d o r developed. m Near Solimac, 30 k e a s t of T u n i s , is a shallow c o a s t a l marsh. About 40 ha of w s t marsh a r e s e p a r a t e d from some dry marsh land by a r a i s e d d i r t road (Fiorgan 1982). Rucoff and ground water supply t h e marsh with s l i g h t l y s a l t y water (4-5 g / l ) . The marsh v a r i e s i n s i z e from y e a r t o y e a r and d r i e s o u t i c e x c e p t i o n a l l y dry y e a r s . Morgan (1982) reported a 40% v e g e t a t i o n cover of S c i r p u s maritimus and a c a r p e t of Characeae on 90% of t h e bottom. Other p l a n t s i n c l u d e : Polygonum amphibium Phragmites communis Ranunculus sp. E l e o c h a r i s sp.

North of Solimac, a t Korbous, t h e c o a s t i s s t e e p and mountainous. Sandstoce s l o p s s s o a t h of Korbous a r e covered by open maquis with s e v e r a l s p e c i e s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of h o t t e r s o u t h e r n l o c a t i o n s . Dominact and r a r e species include: Quercus c o c c i f e r a Olea europaea Pistacia lentiscus Calycotome v i l l o s a Rosmaricus o f f i c i n a l i s Chamaerops h u m i l i s Retama monosperma J u n i p e r u s phoenecia Epedra a l a t a L i n a r i a c o s s o n i ( ~ u n i s i aendemic)

Along t h e c o a s t of Cap Bon t h e climax v e g e t a t i o n s p e c i e s i s kermes oak, which u s u a l l y grows i c bush form i n v a r i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s depending on 1962). On t h e c o a s t a l dunes ~mmophila t h e c l i m a t e and soil (ORSTON a r e n a r i a and Imperata c y l i n d r i c a a r e a s s o c i a t e d with: C a k i l s maritima C r u c i a n e l l a maritima Paccratum maritimum Mathiola t r i c u s p i d a t a Eryngiam maritimum

which succeed t o : Lotus c r e t i c u s Cutandia d i v a r i c a t a J u n i p e r u s oxycedrus J. phoenicea

Dunes with c a l c a r e o u s c r u s t s formed by s e a s h e l l d e b r i s a r e vegetated t o : Thymus c a p i t a t u s Hypparhenia h i r t a Asteriscus maritinus Fumara t h y m i f o l i a Helianthemum racenosum Elychryeum s t o e c h a s Ebenus p i n a t a

Where juniper has s t a b i l i z e d t h e dunes and enriched t h e s o i l with humus, characteristic species are : Pistacia lentiscus Asparagus a c u t i f o l i u s Geracium robertianum s s p purpureum Smilax aspera Arum italicum Prasium m j u s a

Between t h e dunes, wh5re t h e water t a b l e i s c l o s e s t t o t h e s u r f a c e , Myrtus commucis ard hygrophile p l a n t s a r e f a v o r e d , such a s : Carex d i v i s a Galiun a p a r i ~ e Lotus c o r n i c u l a t u s Plantago c r a s s i f o l i a

Or the windiest p a r t s of t h e c o a s t grow a s s o c i a t i o n s of:

Qaerzas coccif5ra Halimium halimifolium Lavandala s t o e c h a s J u c i p e r u s phoecicea J. oxycedrus Cistus s a l v i i f o l i u s Silene gallica L i n a r i a heterophylla Brachypodium distachyum Filago gallica RosmarTnus o f f i c i n a l i s Thymus c a p i t a t u s

The c o a s t from Ras e l F a r t a s s t o E l Haouaria i s a mosaic of kermes oak o r jucip5r maquis with t h e p r e v i o u s l y mentioned a s s o c i a t i o n s . Near S i d i Daoud a mixed p l a n t a t i o ~dominated by a l s p p o pine s t r e t c h e s from t h e s e a t o t h e o t h e r s i d e of t h e p e n i c s ~ l aby Dar Chichou. Olea-lentiscus a s s o c i a t i o n s arg domicant a t t h e p o i n t of Rass e l Ahmar and over much of Cap Bon. Marine F l o r a . The f l o r a o f t h e i n f r a l i t t o r a l zone on rocky substratum of t h e Gulf of Tunis i s composed mainly of 3 t y p e s of a l g a e ( ~ n a n e 1977): Phaeophycaeae (brown a l n a e ) Cystoseira s t r i c t a C. a b r o t a n i f o l i s C. o p m t o i d e s Padica pavona Chlorophyceae (gresc a l g a e ) A c e t a b s l a r i a mediterranea Anadyomene o s r l l a t a Codiam bursa D i c t y o t a dichotoma Dilophus f a s c i o l a Polysiphona s u b u l i f e r a

Dasycladus clavaeformis Halimeda tuca

Rhodophyceae ( r e d a l g a e ) Laurencia obtusa Peyssocnelia squarmis P. polymorpha P. r d b i a

Phyllophora cervosa Aglaothomnfum t r i p i c n a t u m Vidalia volubilis Crodelia e x p a ~ s a

B.

Fauna

Mammals t h a t u s e t h e c o a s t a l a r e a s i n and around t h e Gulf of Tunis a r e j a c k a l , f o x , k a f f i r c a t P e l i s s y l v e s t r i s l i b y c a , E g y p t i a n mongoose and s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of rodects. B i r d s a l o c g t h e c o a s t a r e much more v a r i e d t h a c t h e mammals. Waterfowl acd waders i n c l u d e : tx c c Grey h e r o c Karbled t e s l i'allard Coot ?:oozher. Gl3ssy i b i s L i t t l e egret Avocet Spotted redshack Redshack Greecshack Kectish plover Ccrlew s a n d p i p e r B l a c k - t a i l e d godwit Herring g u l l Slender-billed g u l l Mediterraceac g u l l Rlack t e r n Little tern

ace

N a r i r e Fazca. R a r i n e f a u c a t h a t o c c u r a r o u c d t h e Zembra a r c h i p e l a g o :977 ) i r c l z d e : Dectalium v u l g a r i e D. i n a e q u i c o s t a t u m F i s s u r e l l a graeca Fusus s y r a c u s a c u s F. r o s t r a t u s Gibbala c i n e r a r i a Murex b r a c d i a r i s M. t r u c c u l u s Natica josephira N. m i l l i p u c c t a t a Iiucula n u c l e u s Maia v e r r u c o s a Palaemoc s e r v i a t u s P. s q u i l l a Nassa m u t a b i l i s N. l i m i t a N. c o s t u l a t a N. r e t i c u l a t a Octopcs v d g a r i s Ostrea e d u l i s Oxycos o l i v a c e a P e c t e c jacobeus P i s a c i s maculosa Sepia o f f i c i c a l i s V e c e r ~ p i sa u r e u s Pagurus c a l i d u s Paguristes oculatus Stichopus r e g a l i s

Flolluscs: Aplysia f a s c i a t a Arca b a r b a t a Avicnla h i r u c d o h l l a stricta Cardiam sp. C e r i t h i a m vulgatum Chlamys f l e x ~ o s a C. o p e r c - d a r i s Cardita c a l y c d a Chlamys v a v i a Clacculus jusi e c i Crustaceacs: C a r c i c u s maexas Dorippe l a n a t a Idotea hectica I l i a nucleus Echicoderms: Astropectec johnstoci A. bi s p i c o s i s Axtedcc mediterraceam Crideria: Alcyorim acazle A. palrnetiim A. c o r a l l o i d e s

Echicaster sepisotus H o l o t h u r i s sp. Hacelia a t t e n u a t e Parcarnaricea e l a v a t a P e c c a t i i l a phosphorea

Ophiuna t e x t u r a t a S t yl o c i d a r i s a f f i c i s

Pteroides g ~ i s e a m V e r e t i l l u m cyr.ornorium

Sponges: Axj tells d e m i c o r c i s A. v e r r u c o s a Fish: Boops boops Poops s a l p a B l e c c i ~ ms p Cocger conger C r e c i l e b r a s pavo Diplodus a n c u l a r i Dasyatis pastiraca Dectex d e n t e x J ~ l 5 . i ;s~ . p Hippocampues g u t t u l a t u s Cristocapo a r g e c t a t u s L a b r ~ ssp. Myliobatis aqci l a Hureca h a l e c a M u l l c s swimelutus Mugil s p . Pecaem kera t h u r i a P a g e l l u s morymss S i p h r o c o s t o n a rocde1at.i Scorpaeca porcus S. s c r o f a Serracus scriba S. c a b r i l l a Sparus aiirata Solea s o l e a Syr.gcatus s p . Raia sp. Torpedo ocii1at.a Uranoscopus s c a b e r

C.

Icfl..iecces

F o s t of t h e c o a s t from B j z e r t e t o E l liaouarja h a s beee developed R e s t d e c t i a l developmect n e a r B i z e r t e acd T i z S s acd t o ~ r j s n e v e l o p n e c t d ( h o t e l s , r e s t a ~ r a c t s ,macaged beaches) c e a r t h e major c i t i e s h a s Ic a d d i t i o c t o c o c t i n u e d permacertly c h a c ~ e dn2ch of t h e c o a s t ~ l a b i t a t . h acd i c c r e a s i c g c o c s t r ~ c t i o ca l o c g t h e c o a s t , l a r g e cumbers of r e s i d e c t s acd t o ~ r i s t sproduce g r e a t q u a c t i t i e s o f sewage acd o t h e r waste t h a t o f t e c ecds ;p 1r t h e s e a a r d o r t h e s h o r e . F i s h i c g h a s a f f e c t e d many s p e c i e s i c t h e G s l f of %cis. S c a r e (1977) d e s c r i b e d 3 d i s t i c c t b j o t o p e s i n t h e marjee zoce of t h e Zembra a r c h i p e l a g o . Each zoce c o c t a i n s a c a b ~ c d a c c eo f f a u c a acd f l o r a , i c c l a d i r g some s p e c i e s t h a t have become r a r e j c t h e r e s t of t h e G ~ l f of T e c i s . T h i s r i c h n a r i c e d i v e r s j t y i s i m p a r t a ~ ti c a n o v e r f i s h e d r e g j o c aca t h e s i t e i s of i n t e r c a t i o c a l importacce.

3.:.3.

Gulf of Hammamet:

E l F a o ~ a r i at o Chebba

a ass

~abozdia)

A l t h o ~ g h t h e c o a s t l i c e i s f a i r l y rocky aad h i l l y c e a r E l Hao:iaria and k o c a s t i r , most o f t h e C u l f o f Hamnamet js c h a r a c t e r i z e d by sandy beaches acd f l a t c o a s t 8 1 p l a i t s . Duces f r e q u e c t l y form j.r t h e l i t t o r a l cordor., but v a s t e x p a c s e s o f i c l a n d m i g r a t i n g dunes, such a s t h o s e a l o c g t h e n o r t h coast, a r e not evidect. The l i t t o r a l c o r d o c o f d u c e s o f t e c forms a b a r r i e r t h a t slows r u c o f f water from f l o w i c g d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e s e a . Racked-up water fcrms l o c g bacds o f b r a c k i s h s e h k h e t s ( s a l t l a k e s ) a l o c g t h e c o a s t . Sebkhet S i d i Khtilifa acd Sebkhet Halk e l Meczel s t r e t c h f o r 37 km, from Bo;; Fjcha t o S i d i 93- A l i , a l o c g t h e i c l a c d s i d e o f t h e l i t t o r a l d u r e s . S3;;th o f El fioiiarja, t,he c o a s t l i r e i s p e r p e n d i c ~ l a rt o t h e predoni.cact w e s t e r l y acd e a s t e r l y wicds. The P e s t K e d i t e r r a c e a c i c f l u e c c e i c t h e S i c ~ l c l o - T ~ c i s i abra s i c d e c r e a s e s i r t h e Culf of Hamnacet acd Scflner-ces of t h e S i c i l i e r . l!j gh B a s i c acd t h e E a s t 14edi t e r r a c e a c i n c r e a s e (see-0thnar: 1973). P r o c e e d j c g ~ 0 2 t hf r o n Cap 90c, t h e w a t e r becomes warmer acd s h e l l o v e r . A t t h e n i d - p o i c t o f t h e CiAf of Hammanet c o a s t , c e a r Ycfjda, t h e water i s l e s s t h e e 700 m deep f o r o v e r 65 kn f r o n s h o r e .

Mean annuah temperatures along t h i s s e c t i o n o f c o a s t a r e s l i g h t l y higher than 18 C. Mean annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n n o r t h o f Menzel Temime, on Cap Bon, i s about 500 mm. From Menzel Temime t o Enfida annual r a i n f a l l 500 mm; between Enfida and Mahdia t h e r a t e d e c r e a s e s t o 300 averages 400 400 mm and s o u t h o f Mahdia i t i e l e s s t h a n 300 mm. The bioclimate i s Semi-arid S u p e r i o r from K e l i b i a t o Nabeul, w i t h w i n t e r v a r i a n t s o f hot t o mild. A t Hammamet t h e bioclimate is Semi-arid, h o t wknter v a r i a n t , and south o f e n f i d a t h e b i o c l i m a t e i s Semi-arid I n f e r i o r , mild w i n t e r v a r i a n t .

A.

--

Vegetation Vegetation a s s o c i a t i o n s s o u t h o f E l Haouaria a r e n o t a s d i v e r s e a s those t o t h e n o r t h . From E l Haouaria t o Dar Chichou t h e climax v e g e t a t i o n type i s kermes oak ( s e e S e c t i o n 3.1.2). South o f t h e oak maquis t h e climax v e g e t a t i o n i s O l e a - l e n t i s c u s formations u n t i l Hammamet, then thuya C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a u n t i l Enfida, followed by t h e Low Steppes. Most o f t h e v e g e t a t i o n i s n o t a t t h e climax s t a g e and many o f t h e a s s o c i a t i o n s c u r r e n t l y found on t h i s s e c t i o n o f t h e c o a s t a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by: Artemisia herba a l b a Asarum v u l g a r e Stipa parviflora (sub-association) Solanum sodomaeum ( v a r i a n t )

with many types o f mosaics i n d i c a t e d by: Zizyphus l o t u s and Heliacthemum l i p p i i H. racemosum Lygeum spartum Phlomis f l o c c o s a Cynodon E c h i o c h i l o n fruticosum Atractylis serratuloides Lavandula m u l t i f i d a Artemisia campestris

or

Another a s s o c i a t i o n i s i n d i c a t e d by: Corynephorus a r t i c u l a t u s Lupinus h i r s u t u s

and t h e r e i s a v e g e t a t i o n group i n d i c a t e d by: Spergula d i a n d r a Scolymus h i s p a n i c u s Solanum sodomaeum

A common a s s o c i a t i o n along t h e Gulf of Hammamet and t h e Gulf of Gabes i s t h e l i t t o r a l sand group i n d i c a t e d by:

Ammophila a r e n a r i a Agropyrum junceum

C a k i l e maritima Medicago marina

Two importact a s s o c i a t i o n s t h a t occur along t h e e n t i r e c o a s t acd i c t h e steppes a r e found on s a l i n e s o i l s , e s p e c i a l l y around s e b k h e t s . The f i r s t a s s o c i a t i o n c o n s i s t s of s l i g h t l y t o moderately h a l o p h i l e p l a c t s , i c c l u d i n g s e v e r a l s p e c i e s each of Suaeda Salsola Frankenia Limocium Atriplex

and t h e second a s s o c i a t i o n i s composed o f moderately t o s t r o n g l y h a l o p h i l e species, iccluding Salicornia (several sp) Arthrocnemum indicum Halocnemwn etrobilaceum Halopeplis amplexicaulis

.Marine F l o r a . The marine f l o r a o f t h e Gulf o f Hammamet i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by eome o f t h e same a l g a e s p e c i e s as a r e found i n t h e Gulf of Tunis ( s e c t i o n 3.1.2), b u t t h e o v e r a l l s p e c i e s composition i s c l o s e r t o t h a t o f t h e Gulf of Cabes ( s e c t i o n 3.1.4). Fauna Mammals. J a c k a l s , red fox and Egyptian mongoose prey on' brown h a r e A l g e r i a c hedgehogs E r i n a c e u s a l g i r u s and s m a l l r o d e n t s , such a s jerboa J a c u l u s o r i e c t a l i s and t h e North A f r i c a n endemics Shaw's j i r d Meriones c a m p e s t r i s ( ~ e r n a r d1969). A t Cap Bon wild shawi an-erbillus b o a r s o c c a s i o n a l l y v e n t u r e from t h e h i l l s i n t o c o a s t a l a r e a s , but i t i s not t h e i r primary h a b i t a t . Birds. Duricg m i g r a t i o c p e r i o d s thousands o f s h o r a b i r d s r e s t on t h e s h o r a s a ~ d n t h e s e b k h e t s a l o n g t h e Gulf o f Hammamet. Most of t h e i s p e c i e s t h a t v i s i t t h e r e s t o f t h e T u n i s i a n c o a s t a l s o s t o p between E l Haouaria and Rass Kaboudia. During t h e summer, t h e number of b i r d s and s p e c i e s i s g r 6 a t l y reduced; however, i n J u l y of 1987 t h e following s p e c i e s were commor. o r ware b e g i m i n g t o a r r i v e i n t h e a r e a : Gannet Grey heror. L i t t l e 5gret Flamicgo Shelduck Oystercatcher Avocet Black-winged s t i l t Ringed p l o v e r Kectish plover Little stint
C.

B.

Temminck' s s t i n t L i t t l e ricged plover Commoc s a n d p i p e r Curlew s a n d p i p e r S p o t t e d redshank Redshank Greenshank B l a c k - t a i l e d godwit Slender-billed g u l l Little gull Herring g a l l

Mediterranean g u l l Caspian t e r n Little tern Black t e r n Palm dove Hoopoe Collared p r a t i n c o l e Swallow Great grey s h r i k e Fan-tailed w a r b l e r

Influences

Thousands of people go t o t h e beaches d a i l y d u r i n g t h e eummer; e s p e c i a l l y n e a r Nabeul, Hammamet and Sousse. Large a r e a s o f c o a s t l i n e have been developed f o r t o u r i s m ( h o t e l s , managed beaches) and o t h e r a r e a s have been degraded by heavy p e d e s t r i a n and v e h i c l e t r a f f i c . Hunting and poaching o c c u r s i n t h e c o a s t a l s e b k h e t s and c u l t i v a t i o n h a s broken up many of t h e h a l o p h i l e zoces. The Gulf o f Hammamet i s f i s h e d by i n d i v i d u a l and commercial opera t o r s . O v e r f i s h i c g and p o l l u t i o n a r e a f f e c t i n g t h e s i z e , q u a n t i t y acd q u a l i t y o f t h e c a t c h .

3.1.4.

Culf o f Cabes:

Rass Kaboudia t o t h e Libyan border

The majority of t h e c o a s t l i n e south of Rass Kaboudia forms t h e Culf of Cabes. The c o a s t l i n e of t h e gulf c o n s i s t s of narrow, shallow, muddy i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s o r sandy beaches. From Ras Kaboudia t o approximately 5 k south, n e a r Amra ( ~ r i b a ) ,t h e s h o r e l i n e i s s t e e p enough t o prevent m l a r g e a r e a s from being exposed durkng low t i d e s . The s h o r e l i n e soon l e v e l s 'out and most o f t h e r e s t of t h e c o a s t l i n e t o J e r b a (except 25 km near Cabes, p a r t s of Caraet bou Crara, E l Kantra t o Z a r e i s and Rass ~ d j k r ) i s t y p i f i e d 'by i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s . Large expanses occupy more than 25,000 ha, of which c.14,600 ha i s s i t u a t e d a t Kneiss (van Dijk 1986). Dunes cover much of t h e shore inland of t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s and beaches, except a t t h e gypsous c l i f f s of Tar-el-Jorf and Bou Crara and t h e calcareous c l i f f s of Ras Maamour t o Z a r z i s en-0thman 1973). I n s i d e t h e l i t t o r a l dunes, long narrow aebkhets o f t e n form, such a s sebkhet Dreiaa, south of Skhira. F l a t c o a s t a l p l a i n s subside very gradually i n t o t h e s e a . A t some m points t h e water i s l e s s than 50 m deep f o r more than 100 k from shore, and a t no p o i n t i s t h e water over 100 m deep w i t h i n 100 k from shore. m The f l a t s h e l f i s so e x t e n s i v e t h a t t h e -200 m i s o b a t h e i s 250 k from m shore en-0thman 1973). The shallow water a m p l i f i e s t h e weak t i d a l i n f l u e n c e s of t h e A t l a n t i c ocean and r e s u l t s i n t i d a l amplitudes of up t o 2 m i n t h e Gulf of Gabes (Van D i j k 1986). Surface c u r r e n t s c o n s i s t of 15' C) and r e l a t i v e l y low s a l i n i t y water with a c o n s t a n t temperature (14 (37.3 37.9 ppm) throughout t h e y e a r (Van Dijk 1986). Near t h e shore, t h e shallower w a t e r s a r e u s u a l l y warmer (c.19.5' C ) and s a l t i e r (38 ppm).

The s a b t r o p i c a l Saharan i n f l u e n c e i s much s t r o n g e r a t t h e Culf of Gabes thac along t h e c o a s t t o t h e north. Temperatures remain mostly betweec 20 30 C from May t o August and t h e average y e a r l y p r e c i p i t a t i o n i s l e s s t h a c 200 mm, most of which f a l l s between September and March. Sirocco w i c d s occur aboat 35 days per summer, and r a p i d l y d e s s i c a t e s t h e v e g e t a t i o c . Bioclimates range from Semi-arid I n f e r i o r by Rass Kaboudia, t o A r i d S u p e r i o r by Sfax and Arid I n f e r i o r south of Sfax. Due t o t h e s e a , bioclimates a r e a l l of t h e m i l d winter v a r i a n t .

A.

Vegetation

Lowland h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n and v e g e t a t i o n found on l i t t o r a l sands a r e s i m i l a r t o t h a t of corresponding a r e a s n o r t h of Rass Kaboudia ( s e e Section 3 . 1 . 3 ~ ) . However, t h e v e g e t a t i o n found on h i g h e r , l e s s s a l i n e ground d i f f e r s s i g n i f i c a n t l y from t h a t on t h e c o a s t t o t h e north. There a r e e s s e n t i a l l y no f o r e s t o r maquis a s s o c i a t i o n s along t h i s s e c t i o n of c o a s t , but t h e r e a r e some o a s i s ( s e e Section 3.7). Climax v e g e t a t i o n types a r e those c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of secondary s t e p p e s of low p l a i n s and Subdesertic L i t t o r a l Steppes. The a c t u a l a s s o c i a t i o n s p r e s e n t a r e those t y p i c a l of degraded l a n d s (Le Houerou and Fromect 1969).

North.of Sfax t h e v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e u e u a l l y dominated by h a l o p h i l e groups and : Artemisia herba a l b a Asparagus a l b u s Zizyphus l o t u s (sub/assn .) Atractylie serratuloides " o r a group of T r i g o n e l l a anguina Lygeum spartum Solanum sodomaeum ( v a r i a n t )

South of Sfax t h e h a l o p h i l e groups a r e i n t e r s p e r s e d with a s s o c i a t i o n s of: Pituranthos tortuosa Halophyllum v e r m i c u l a r i r e and Rhantherium suaveolens Artemisia campestris Lygeum spartum (~/8) Atractylis serratuloidas " Erodium glaucophyllum ( d a )

South of Kceiss the v e g e t a t i o n i s joined by an a s s o c i a t i o n of: Zygophyllum album acd a gypso-halophilo a s s o c i a t i o n o f : Nitraria retusa Suaeda vermiculata Salsola s i e b e r i var. v e s c e r i t e n s i s O t h e Z a r z i s peninsula i s an a s s o c i a t i o n of n Artemisia herba a l b a Arthrophytum scoparium Gymnocarpos decander (sub.) Anarrhinum brevifolium

I n t e r t i d a l mudflats a r e o f t e n covered by dense Zostera n o l t i (van D i j k sp. grows on the sea bottom. 1986), and c e a r Mahares s e a l e t t u c e Close t o the shore a t Kneiss, S p a r t i n a sp. and Halocnemum strobilaceum grow. Where inundation i s l e s s f r e q u e n t and of s h o r t e r d u r a t i o n Halimone ,. Limoniastrum rnonope talum and Suaeda p o r t u l a c o i d e s , Limonium cf. sp. appear. O the shore and small dunes Arthrocnemum c f . fruticosum, n p e r e n e , Zygophyllum album, Thmelaea h i r s u t a and Haloxylon a r t i c u l a t u m replace the more s a l t t o l e r a n t species. Marine Flora. Near Kerkennah i s l a n d a t t h e n o r t h Gabes, Posidonea oceanica comprises 95% of t h e marine than 30 m. Between 30 45 m depth, Canlerpa sp. and (green a l g a e ) dominate. A t depths g r e a t e r than 50 m , and Zaarah a l g a e Lithophyllum racemus i s found ( ~ a j a i end of t h e Gulf of fauna a t depths l e s s Vidalia v o l u b i l i s t h e red calcareous 1981 ).

B.

Fauna

Mamnals. Although t h e r e i s a d l v e r s i t y o f v e g e t a t i o c t y p e s a l o c g t h e c o a s t , t h e most common a s s o c i a t i o c s a r e of h a l o p h i l e s p e c i e s . H a l o p h i l e a s s o c i a t i o n s p r o v i d e a d e q u a t e c o v e r f o r s m a l l t o mid-sized mamnals, such a s jerboa J a c u l u s o r i e c t a l i a , g e r b i l C e r b i l l u s c a m p e s t r l s , sacd r a t Psammomys obesus, haw's jrird, brow. h a r e , A l g e r i a c hedgehog and t h e Egyptiac mongoose, r e d f o x and j a c k a l s t h a t prey o r them. Uplacd a r e a s a l s o h a r b o r many of t h e above mamnala, b u t c u l t i v a t i o c , o v e r g r a z i c g and o t h e r forms of d i s t u r b a n c e l i m i t t h e h a b i t a t v a l u e . Birds. Vac D i j k (1986) r e p o r t e d t h a t " i t would a p p e a r t h a t t h e C ~ l f of Cabes i s t h e major a r e a i n t h e K e d i t e r r a c e a c f o r w i c t e r i c g waders acd T h i s c o n c l u s i o c was based o c c o ~ c t s made of some waterfowl s p e c i e s " . w i n t e r i c g waterfowl and waders o v e r 380 k o f s h o r e l i c e (765 of t h e Gulf m of Cabes t o t a l ) i c J a c ~ a r y March 1984.

The C i l f of Gabes i s t h e most i m p o r t a c t w i c t e r i c g e r e a i c t h e 1,lediterraceac f o r c o r m o r a c t s acd s p o o c b i l l s . A t l e a s t 3 t h r e a t e c e d s p e c i e s a l s o occ;r t h e r e . N i c e t e e c wader acd waterfowl s p e c l e s v e r e detormjced t o w i c t e r i c t h e Gulf of Cabes i r combers g r e a t e r t h a c :% o f t h e i r t o t a l flyway o r b i o g e o g r a p h i c a l p o p u l a t i o n s . Those s p e c i e s a r e noted i r . t h e l i s t of Golf of Cabes b i r d s p e c i e s ( f i e z r e 4 ) . Marice Faoca. The mocotocy of s e d j m e c t s , t h e homogecejty, acd t h e a b s e ~ c eof rocky s u b s t r a t e s i c t h e g o l f r e s s l t s i c a v a s t e x t e c s i o c acd low d l v f r s j t y of marjce f a i c a ( ~ z o u z1975). D o n i r a c t s p e c j e s of t h e sootheast coast are: Ceodea sp. Spatacgus p o r p u r e u s P i c c t a d a a l b i d a ( c o t f o o ~ dt o t h e n o r t h ) Hacelia a t t e c u a t a (sab-tropical) " C e c t r o s t e p h a c ~ sl o c g i spir.;s

A l t h o ~ g hs p e c i e s d i v e r s i t y i s low, p r o d o c t i o r js v e r y high. Almost a l l of t h e sponges, 75: o f t h e shrimp and 605 of t h e ber.thjc f i s h harvested i n T x i s i a come from t h e Ciilf of Gabes (!he-0thnac :973). E x t e c s t i v e l i s t s of h a r v e s t e d f i s h s p e c i e s a r e g i v e r by Ber-Cthmac (:973) acd N j a i acd Zaarah (1 981 1. a
A t o t a l of 500 m o l l u s c s p e c i e s have b e e c r e p o r t e d f o r t h Gulf of Gabes ( ~ o s s o7979, S e a r a t 1924 acd 1929, as c i t e d i c Vac D i j k 1986); however, o n l y a few s p e c i e s a r e i m p o r t a n t i c terms o f biomass acd d e c s i t y . Average dry weight p e r s q u a r e m e t e r of macrobenthos f a u c a from t h e i c t e r t i d a l f l a t s near K n e i s s i s l a n d i s 26.0 erams ( ~ a c i j k 1986). The taxonomic D groups r e p r e s e c t e d i n t h a t weight a r e : C a s t r o p o d i a (4951, B i v a l v i a ( 3 6 ) , Polychaeta ( : O % ) , C r u s t a c e a ( I & ) and o t h e r groups o n l y comprised 1 5 of

the t o t a l .

The most common s p e c i e s found a r e : Lepidochitona cinerea B i t t i u m sp. Gourmya v u l g a t a Trunculariopsis trunculus Nassariidae Pinctada radiata Loripes lacteus Cerastoderma e d u l e Venerupis decussa V. a u r e a Scrobicularia cottarde Gastrana f r a g i l i s Pecaeus k e r a n t u r u s Solen marginatus Marphysa sanguinea Drilonereie filum Perknereis cultrifera Natantia Elaldanidae C a l l i a n a s s a ep. Brachyura Iaopoda Amphipoda Ophiuroidea Dasybrachus sp. Holothuroidea

Influecces A s with t h e c o a s t l i n e t o t h e n o r t h , much o f t h e Gulf o f Gabes c o a s t l i n e i s c u l t i v a t e d , grazed o r developed. Hunting and poaching o c c u r acd t h e gulf i s t h e primary s o u r c e o f f i s h , s h r i m p and spocges h a r v e s t e d i n T u n i s i a . Thz most s z c s i t i v e l o c a t i o c s a r e t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s , which a r e i n t e r n a t i o c a l l y i m p o r t a n t f o r m i g r a t i n g w a t e r f o w l and waders. The s o f t bottom p r o t e c t s many o f t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s from f r e q a e n t d i s t u r b a c c a and development.
C.

Figure 4 Birds of t h e Gulf of Gabes L i t t l e grsbe Great c r e s t e d grebe Black-necked grebe Cory's s h e a r w a t e r Gannet Cormoract Squacco heron L i t t l e egret Great white e g r e t Grey heron Glossy i b i s White s t o r k Spoocbill G r e a t e r flamingo Sheldack Wigeor. Pintail Garga~ey Shoveler Marsh h a r r i e r Her. h a r r i e r Buzzard Locg-leggad buzzard Goldec e a g l e Osprey Kestrel Merlir. Lacner f a l c o c Peregrice Barbary p a r t r i d g e Coot Crar.2 Oystercatcher Black-winged s t i l t Avocet Stone curlew L i t t l e ringed plover Ringed p l o v e r Little stint Kentish p l o v e r Dotterel Golden p l o v e r Grey p l o v e r Knot Sacdar1ir.g Curlew sandpiper Kingfisher Dunlin Hoopoe Ruff Short-toed l a r k Broad-billed sandpiper L e s s e r s-toed l a r k Black-tailed godwit Skylark Bar- t a i l e d godwi t Crested l a r k Whimbrel Swallow S l e n d e r - b i l l e d curlew House martin Curlew Headow p i p i t Spotted redshank Red- t h r o a t e d p i p i t Redshank Water p i p i t Greenshack White w a g t a i l Marsh sandpiper Grey w a g t a i l Wood sandpiper Robin Common sandpiper Black r e d s t a r t Turnstone Moussier' s r e d s t a r t Red-necked phalarope Stonechat Pomarine skua I s a b e l l i n e wheatear A r c t i c skua Wheatear Red-rumped wheatear Great skua Mourning wheatear Mediterranean g u l l Blackbird Little gull Song t h r a s h Black-headed g u l l Rufous bushchat Slender-billed g u l l Reed warbler Common g u l l Lesser black back Fan- t a i l e d warbler Marmora' s warbler Herring g u l l Great black backed g u l l Spectacled warbler Kittiwake S a r d i c i a n warbler Gull-billed t e r n Chiffchaff Caspian t e r n Fulvous babbler Lesser-crested t e r n Great grey s h r i k e Sacdwich t e r n Corn bunting Common t e r n Reed bunting Little tern Trumpeter f i n c h Black t e r n Linnet White-winged black t e r n Goldfinch Whiskered t e r n Greenf i n c h Green sandpiper Raven Rock dove Serin Palm dove Chaffinch L i t t l e owl Starling Short-eared owl Spotless gtarling Swift o r p a l l i d s w i f t Spanish sparrow White-rumped s w i f t

n*

t
n*

t*
n*

n*

n*

n n n

c = r.isting birds t = thraatecid s ~ e c i e s = > 18 of p o p u l a t i o n o f flyway o r b i o g e o g r a p h i c a l r e g i o c

32

F i g h t major i s l a c d a r c h i p e l a g o s a r e d i s t r i b u t e d a l o c g t h e c o a s t o f ' h i c i s i a ( f i g c r e 5). T h e r e a r e a l s o m a ~ ys m a l l e r i s l a c d s , same o f which a r e mere r o c k s j u t t i c g from t h e w a t e r acd some l a r e e ecosgh t o s a p p o r t a b i t of v e g e t a t i o c , b s t c o t l a r g e enough t o be c o ~ s i d e r e di n p o r t a n t i n terms of n a t j o n a l b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y . The two l a r g e s t i s l a c d s , Kerkeccah and J e r b a , a r e b o t h i c t h e s o u t h . The i s l a n d s a r e s e p a r a t e d by d i s t a c c e s o f 26 t o 135 km, biit cone a r e more t h a n 50 kn from t h e m a i ~ l a c d . S p e c i e s composition i c v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o m o r j s l a c d s a r e a f f e c t e d by a f a c t o r known a s i c s u l a r i t y . Cece p o o l s a r e r e s t r i c t e d p r i m a r i l y t o p l a c t s p r e s e n t o c t h e i s l a n d s w i t h a m i c i m m o f i c v a s i o n by vied b o r c e acd f l o a t i c g s e e d s . V i t h o c t t h e f r e q u e r t d i s p e r s i o e of s e e d s b e t u e e c a r e a s , a s i s commoc OR t h e n a i c l a c d , s p e c i e s a r e more e a s S l p e l i m i c a t e d from a r i s l a c d . T h e r e f o r e , t h e r e a r e s s u a l l y f e u e r t o t a l s p e c i e s o r j s l a r d s acd rare species merit s p e c i a l a t t e c t j o c . The combicatioc o f t h e i c s u l a r i t y f a c t o r , t h i c s o i l s acd o c s o u t h e r r i s l a c d s t h e r e l a t i v e l y low a c c i i a l p r e c i p i t a t i o c nakes i s f a c d f l n r h acd fa,ca q ~ j t e e c s i t i v e t o i c f l a e c c e s o c t h e ecosystem. C r a z l c g i s a l r e a d y s so i.ctecse o e most i s l a n d s t h a t i t i s ~ r d o u b t e d l yd r a s t i c a l l ? a f f e c t i c g s p e c i e s c o n p o s t i o c . A i n c r e a s e i c l i v e s t o c k cumbers, c . s l t i v a t e d l a r d o r c w b a n a r e a s c c ~ l dr e s i i l t i c fewer n a t i v e s p e c i e s of f l o r a z b l e t o occ,py t h e lin:ted s p a c e . Developmeet p r o j e c t s o f t e c iipset t h e s o i l s t a b i l i t y of i s l a c d s , r e s s l t i c g i c s a r d d i x e f o r m a t i o c o r t h e l o s s of l a r d by e r o s i o r . P o l l c t i o c i s a l s o a s e r i o u s c o n c e r c t h a t sho-sld be a s s e s s e d i r r e g a r d t o developmeet p l a r s f o r t h e i s l a n d s . The w a t e r nroacd K z r i a t e , Kerkeccah acd Jerba a r e a l r e a d y a f f e c t e d by t h e l a r g e amozcts of i c d . ~ s t r l a lacd urbac p o l l > . i t i o ~ isssi r~ from c o a s t a l c i t i e s ( ~ e c t i o c 3.: ). I c c r e a s e d p o l l c t i o c i c t h e s h a l l o w w a t e r s woiild c o t o c l y be d e t r i n e c t a l t o marice f a c r a acd f l o r a and s h o r e b i r d s , biit t h e l o c a l h a r v e s t of f i s h and o t h e r seafood wo..ild have h i g h e r l e v e l s of coctarnir-ar-ts, t h i i s a f f e c t i c e h ~ n a c h e a l t h acd w e l f a r e . P o p c l a t i o n erowth acd i c c r e a s i c g t o u r i s m w i l l a l s o i c c r e a s e demacds o r the islacds' resocrces. Fresh water is an e s p e c i a l l y valuable r e s o s r c e , acd a s c s e i c c r e a s e s t h e groundwater may be o v e r e x p l o i t e d . If groucdwater use i s c o t p r o p e r l y r e g u l a t e d i t may be pcmped f a s t e r thar. i t i s r e p l e c i s h e d by f r e s h w a t e r , t h u s lowering t h e wa t ~ tr b l e acd a l l o u i c ~ a seawater t o i r - f i l t r a t e , c a u s i r g a c i r r e v e r s i b l e i . r c r e a s e ir. s a l i r i t y (acd i n p o l l s t a c t s from t h e s e a ) . A lowered w a t e r t a b l e wncld a l s o a f f e c t v e g e t a t i o c c o n n u c i t i e s t h a t e x i s t i n a r e a s where t h e groiicduater Is currertl:; c e a r t h e s . s r f a c e .

Figure 5 Locations of Islands of Tunisia

Galite Can i Plane Zembra Kuriate Kerkennah Kneiss Jerba

To summarize, t h e g e n e r a l f a c t o r s t o which t h e i s l a n d ecosystems a r e sensitivp include: Erosion causing a c t i v i t i e s : V e g e t a t i o n removal e s p e c i a l l y on s t e e p s l o p e s Disturbance of s u r f a c e s o i l e s p e c i a l l y on t h e s m a l l e r i s l a n d s Shoreline degradation

A c t i v i t i e s t h a t reduce f l o r a and f a u n a s p e c i e s and numbers: Water p o l l u t i o n Water e x p l o i t a t i o n ( i. e o v e r - e x p l o i t a t i o n ) Human a c t i v i t y - e s p e c i a l l y d u r i n g t h e n e s t i n g season Egg c o l l e c t i o n o r d e s t r u c t i o n d e s t r o y s n e s t s and b i r d s E r o s i o n above n e s t i n g l e d g e s can damage v e g e t a t i o n Animal s p e c i e s over-population gene p o o l s below c r i t i c a l l e v e l s Under-populatioc Poaching Coral c o l l e c t i n g ( ~ a l i t e )

3.2.1.

Galite

The G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o i s 40 krn from t h e n o r t h c o a s t o f T u n i s i a , 45 km northwast of Cap S e r r a t acd 64 krn n o r t h e a s t o f Tabarka. The a r c h i p e l a g o i s domirated by t h e "T" shaped main i s l a n d o f G a l i t e , which i s 5.4 k l o n g m and c.950 m a c r o s s a t t h e c a r r o w e s t p o i n t and 2.5 km a t t h e w i d e s t p a r t o f t h e "T". The p l a n i r n e t r i c s u r f a c e a r e a of t h e i s l a n d i s 650 h a , which i s i . r e a l i t y i n c r e a s e d by t h e s l o p i n g topography, c u l m i n a t i n g a t 391 m ASL. r Aboiit 2.5 krn t o t h e southwest o f G a l i t e i s t h e i s l e t o f l a F a u c h e l l e , 14 ha i r a r e a axd f a i r l y low i n a l t i t u d e . The i s l e t o f G a l i t o r . i s o n l y 50 meters t o t h e west of l a F a u c h e l l e , h a s a n a r e a o f 27 ha and i s topped by a l i g h t h o a s e . A t r i o of s m a l l i s l e t s , t h e I s l e s de Chiens ( " ~ o g ~ s l a n d s " )l i e 1.6 k n o r t h of G a l i t e , t h e l a r g e s t o f which i s l e s s than 9 m ha, b u t has a c a l t i t u d s of 119 rn ( ~ a u l t h i e r1978). Thus t h e t o t a l p l a n i m e t r i c l a n d a r i a o f t h e a r c h i p e l a g o i s about 700 ha. The G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o i s t h e o n l y g r a n i t i c f o r m a t i o n i n T u n i s i a ( I U C N 1987). S o i l s a r e t h i n , o f g r a n i t i c o r i g i n , and some o f t h e s m a l l e r i s l e t s and p a r t s of t h e l a r g e r ones a r e scoured by t h e wind and waves t o t h e p o i n t t h a t t h e r e i s l i t t l e s o i l o r v e g e t a t i o n cover. On t h e main i s l a n d t h e r e a r e some v a l l e y s and p l a t e a u s w i t h deep s o i l s , and i n many l o c a t i o n s t h e s o i l i s t h i c k enough t o have been c u l t i v a t e d t o v i n y a r d s and gardens. Caves w i t h above w a t e r o r underwater e n t r a n c e s have been carved i n t o R e l a t i v e l y shallow many p l a c e s by t h e a c t i o n o f t h e s e a ( ~ o s s e r1978). water (cornpared t o t h e r e s t o f t h e "Coral c o a s t " ) w i t h a rocky bottom surrounds t h e i s l a ~ d s . Around t h e a r c h i p e l a g o t h e w a t e r d e p t h i s s c a r c e l y over 100 n ( ~ a a l t h i i r1978) and i t i s much l e s s betweer. t h e i s l e t s .

A.

Vegetation

Wuch of G a l i t e i s covered by " d i s s " Ampelodesma tenax, a low g r a s s t h a t i s sometimes v e r y dense on hills. Some v a l l e y s on t h e northwest a i d e eupport shrubs s o dense t h a t they a r e impenetrable ( G a u l t h i e r 1978). Those maquis a r e of t h e O l e a - l e n t i s c u s t y p e , - w i t h some Tamarix and Laurus mixed i n . The g e n t l e r s l o p e s o f t h e i s l e t s of G a l i t o n and l a F a u c h e l l e a l s o support s h o r t and scrubby O l e a - l e n t i s c u s formations, b u t t h e main v e g e t a t i o n i s d i s s . Two of t h e t h r e e I e l e s de Chiens a r e very weather beaten and produce v e r y l i t t l e v e g e t a t i o n , but t h a t which does occur i s mainly g r a s s e s and annual herbs. Domicant s p e c i e s of t h e a r c h i p e l a g o i n c l u d e : Ampelodesma tenax Pistacia lentiscus Olea europaea Tamarix a f r i c a n a Launs nobilis C i s t u s sp. Rosmarinus o f f i c i n a l i s S c i l l a maritima Cynara scolymus

Mammals. I n 1986 only one monk s e a l Monachus monachus was observed a t ~ a l i 1987).~ which seems t o i n d i c a t e a decrease i n numbers a s w e l l w a s a s t r o n g e r tendency t o r e s t i n s i d e caves with underwater e n t r a n c e s i ~ s t e a dof OK beaches. Reasons f o r t h e change i n behavior a r e probably r e l a t i d t o i c c r e a s e d human a c t i v i t y in t h e a r e a . ( e s p e c i a l l y r e c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i t y ) and i t i s e s s e n t i a l t o t h e c o n s e r v a t i o n of t h e monk s e a l popalatioc t h a t d i s t u r b a n c e be reduced t o t h e minimum l e v e l p o s s i b l e ( ~ o s s e r1978). The North A f r i c a c s u b s p e c i e s of t h e European r a b b i t ( 0 c t o l a u s The c u c i c u l a s ) i s found on G a l i t e , G a l i t o n and l a Fauchelle ( ~ n a n e1977 r a b b i t s o r i g i n a t e d i n North A f r i c a and may have crossed t o G a l i t e when the archipelago was connected t o t h e mainland by a land b r i d g e d u r i n g t h e R i s s - g l a c i a l s e a r e g r e s s i o n (IUCN 1987) o r t h e y may have been .introduced during t h e Punic epoch a s a food r e s e r v e ( G a u l t h i e r 1978). C u r r e n t r e s i d e n t s make use of t h a t food r e s e r v e , and although r a b b i t s a r e u s u a l l y abundant on G a l i t o n and l a F a u c h e l l e , ftshermen have hunted s o f r e q u e n t l y : on G a l i t e t h a t they have almost e l i m i n a t e d t h e r a b b i t s i n t h e p a s t . B a t s P i p i s t r e l l i s sp. a r e common on t h e i s l a n d s and common d o l p h i n s Delphinus d e l p h i s a r e f r e q u e n t l y seen o f f s h o r e .

--? .

Birds. A breeding colony of 60 70 p a i r s of endangered E l e o n o r a ' s f a l c o c s Falco e l e o n o r a e n e s t s on one of t h e i s l e t s ( G a u l t h i e r 1978). The world popalatior, of E l e o n o r a ' s f a l c o n i s l e s s than 4000, s o t h e 3% found oc the G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g ~a r e of high i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance.

Audouin's g u l l s L a m s a u d o u i n i i a r e t h e r a r e s t breeding g u l l of t h e Europe and North A f r i c a re'giar.-(Heinzel e t . a l . 1979). They only breed on rocky i s l a n d s i n t h e Mediterranean s e a and t h e r e a r e r e p o r t s of a small breeding colony a t C a l i t e ( C a u l t h i e r 1978). T h i s s p e c i e s i s it s e r i o u s danger of e x t i n c t i o c and any breeding colony i s of i n t e r n a t i o n a l significance. Nesting b i r d s a t t h e C a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o i n c l u d e : Shag Cory's shearwater Storm p e t r e l Eleonora' s f a l c o n Peregrine Kestrel Herring g u l l ~ u d o u i n ' sg u l l Blue rock t h r u s h Spanish sparrow Rock dove Woodchat s h r i k e S a r d i n i a n warbler melac Dartford warbler Marmora's warbler Goldficch

t t
t

t = Threatened Species
Non-nesting b i r d s i n c l u d e : Grey heron Booted e a g l e Common s a n d p i p e r T u r t l e dove Bare owl Swift Hoopoe Wood p i p i t Grey wagtail I c t e r i n e warbler Whitethroat Wood warbler Wheatear

Her etofaura. The r i c h herpetofauna i s Atlanto-mediterranean i n o r i i m 7 ) , and t h e most abundant a r e l a c r r t i d s and S c i n c i d s : Scincus sp. T e r e n t o l a sp. Testndo graeca Caretta c a r e t t a

C. I n f l u e n c e s
There i s a s m a l l v i l l a g e of fishermen on C a l i t e . About 10 f a m i l i e s (approximately 35 people) were permanent r e s i d e n t s on t h e i s l a n d i n 1978, and i n prime l o b s t e r season t h e population was augmented by an a d d i t i o n a l 18 f a m i l i e s , r a i s i n g t h e population t o c.158 people. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e houses of t h e v i l l a g e r s , a primary school and a m i l i t a r y base (with aboat 40 people) have been e s t a b l i s h e d on G a l i t e . G a l i t o n i s occupied by a lighthouse and i t s a t t e n d a n t s . The a c t i v i t i e s of t h e fishermen a r e having a profoand i c f l u e c c e oc aome of t h e r a r e fauna of t h e a r e a . To p r o t e c t t h e f i s h p o p a l a t i o c s , some f i s h e m e c seek t o e l i m i n a t e n a t u r a l p r e d a t o r s , inc1adir.g t h e r a r s marine t o r t o i s e Thalassochyelys c o r t i c a t a , which sometimes become ectacgled i c f i s h n e t s . Mork s e a l s a r e k i l l e d because they e a t f i s h acd sometimes damage n e t s .

Duricg t h e c e s t i c g s e a s o n i t i s conmoc f o r f i s h e r m e c t o c o l l e c t e g g s from c o l o c i e s o f C o r y ' s s h e a r w a t e r s acd h e r r i c g g u l l s t o supplernect t h e i r d t e t s . T h i s a c t i v i t y h a s had a profoccd e f f e c t o c t h e C o r y ' s s h e a r w a t e r popiilatioc. Ic t h e p a s t , e g g s acd c h i c k s were g a t h e r e d f r o n R l e o c o r a ' s f a l c o c c e s t s t o s u p p l y f a l c o n e r s . Garbage diimpicg, sewage o u t f l o w s acd v i l l a g e e x p a c s i o c a r e o t h e r hunac i c f l u e c c e s o c t h e i s l a c ? ecosystems. Recreatj ocal a c t i v jt y a l s o i c f l u e n c e s t h e fauca of the archjpelago. For 5-6 mocths of t h e y e a r , y a c h t s a c c h o r i c t h e w a t e r s o f C a l i t e acd p s s e c c e r s exgage i c SCUBA d i v i c g acd s p e a r f i s h i n g . :Jot o c l y d o e s t h i s a c t i v i t y e f f e c t t h e f i s h acd c o r a l f o r m a t i o c s , i t a l s o d i s t u r b s mock s e a l s and c e s t i c g b i r d s . P r o l o c g e d v i s i t s t o t h e s h o r e d c r j c g t h e c e s t i c g seasoc cac r e s u l t i c s e r i o ~ s o s s e s of eggs dce t o i c s o l a t i o c . l F e r a l g o a t s , s h e e p acd cows a r e a f f e c t j c g t h e v e g e t a t i o c c o m p o s i t i o c acd s x c e s s i o c a l s t a g e s o f G a l i t e . O t h e r j c t r o d z c e d mammals a r e a f f e c t i r e t h e f a c c a o f t h e i s l a c d s . R a t s R a t t u s n o r v e g i c u s a r e foucd on a l l o f t h e i s l e t s acd comnocly r a i d t h e c e s t s o f C o r y ' s s h e a r w a t e r s ard g ~ l l s . R a t s a r e a b i x d e c t , o r o v e r a b z c d a c t , e v e r thocgh t h e y a r e preyed c p x by c a t s o e G a l i t e ecd r a p t o r s t h r o c g h s ~ t t h e a r c h i p e l a g o . F e r a l c a t s e l s a p r e y o c c e s t i c g b i r d s acd t h e i r youcg. R a b b i t s a r e s o o v e r a b w d a c t i c some l o c a t i o c s t h a t t h e y have t a k e n over a l l o f t h e s e c l u d e d r i c h e s where C o r y ' s s h e a r w a t e r s t r a d j t i o c a l l y cested ( ~ a i l t h i e r 1978). Vhec t h e b i r d s a r e f o r c e d t o c s e l e s s f a v o r a b l e l o c a t i o c s f o r c e s t i c g t h e y become miich more v c l c e r a b l e t o c a t s acd r a t s . R a b b i t s d i g bcrrows i c macy o f t h e mwe f a v o r a b l e l a c a t j o c s o f t h e j s l a c d s . Those d j g g i c g s a r e sometimes d e t r i m e c t a l t o t h e v e g e t a t j s c , which i s a g g r a v a t e d by t h e f e e d i c g a c t i v j t y o f t h e a b x d a c t a c j m a l s . G a l i t o c i s l e t was d e s i g c a t e d a s t r i c t c a t c r e r e s e r v e oc 4 J u l y 1980. The r e s e r v e i c c l a d e s t h e i s l e t acd a 0.5 s e a m i l e r a d j u s a s a c i c t e g r a l c a t z r e r e s e r v e ; t h e r e f o r e , j t a l s o i c c l u d e s l a F a ~ c h e l l ei s l e t . C a l 5 t e js of i c t e r c a t i o c a l i m p o r t a c c e b e c a u s e o f t h e ecdacgered K e d j t e r r a c e a c mock s e a l s acd t h e c e s t i n g c o l o c j e s o f A . ~ d o u i c ' s g u l l s , E l e o c o r a ' s f a l c o c s acd Cory's s h e a r w a t e r s . Ic s p i t e o f t h e t e r r e s t r i a l acd n a r j c e f a c r a acd i s l a c d h a b l t a t , whjch i s a t l e a s t o f n a t i o c a l i m p o r t a c c e , t h e r e i s l i t t l e :987). a c t i v e naraeemect a t t h e p r e s s c t t i n e ( I U C I ~

3.2.2.

Zembra and Zembretta I s l a n d s

The Zenbra a r c h j p e l a g o i s l o c a t e d i c t h e C ~ l f T s c i s r e a r t h e of c o r t h e r c t i p o f Cap Boc. A t t h e c l o s e s t p o i c t , t h e i s l a c d s a r e 11 kn c o r t h w e s t o f t h e m a i c l a c d . Zembra, t h e l a r g e s t j s l a c d of t h e a r c h i p e l a g o , h a s a c a r e a o f 370 ha. O c t h e s o c t h e a s t s j d e o f Zenbra i s Z e n b r e t t a , a the much s m a l l e r i s l a c d of 5 ha. There a r e a l s o two t i c y i s l e t s C a t h e d r a l acd L a c t o w h e , whjch a r e c o t much more t h a c rock f o r m a t j o c s j ~ t t i c goiit o f t h e s e a , 60 m acd 400 m from Zembrs, r e s p e c t i v e l y .

Zenbra 5s e p r i s m a t j c shaped m o x t a j c o i s i s l a c d ('race 19771, w i t h a maximcn a l t i t ~ d e f L35 m. o There a r e s t e e p c l i f f s a r o x d t h e j s l a c d , r i s i c g c p t o 200 m h i g h o c t h e c o r t h s i d e , makjcg a c c e s s d i f f l c c l t . A t t h e bzse o f t h e c l j f f s acd a l o c g t h e r e s t of t h p :2 kn s h s r e l i c e t h e r e a r e

many caves and coves. Zembretta i s a l s o p r i s m a t i c i n shape and d i f f i c u l t t o access. The 1.2 krn of s h o r e l i n e r i s e s t o c l i f f s on t h e northwest a i d e ,and t h e r e i s a lkghthouse a t t h e h i g h e s t p o i n t of t h e i s l a n d (53 m). Oued of t h e Harbor, Oued There a r e 4 s e a s o n a l r i v e r s on Zembra t h a t d r a i n watersheds of 25 t o Z i t o m , Oued Callefroda and Oued e l Kebkr 100 ha. The only permanent s p r i n g i s Ain Kabbar. Thin, s o i l s o r i g i n a t e from s u b s t r a t e s t h a t a r e a c o n t i n u a t i o n of s t r a t a found on Cap Bon: a l t e r n a t i n g l a y e r s of sandy limestone and c l a y s from t h e oligocene and mPocene e r a s (IUCN 1987). There a r e a l s o eocene d e p o s i t s r i c h i n marine fossils.

Violent w i n t e r winds a f f e c t t h e i s l a n d v e g e t a t f o n by blowing s a l t y spray onto t h e land. Water s a l f n i t y a t t b e s u r f a c e i s 37 ppt. I n June t h e s u r f a c e water temperature averages 15 C (IUCN 1987). The i s l a n d s have a Sub-humid bioclimate with a warm w i n t e r v a r i a n t i n t h e lowlands and a mild w i ~ t e r a r i a n t i n t h e hfghlands. v
A.

Vegatation Species d i v e r s i t y i s poorer on Zembra t h a n i t i s a t mainland s E t e s

w i t h s i m i l a r c l i m a t e and s o i l conditkons ( ~ n a n e1977); probably due t o t h e

i n s ~ l a r i t yf a c t o r . I n 1953 t h e r e were 230 p l a n t s p e c i e s recorded on Zembra. Many of t h e s p e c i e s found i n t h e a l l u v i a l p l a i n a t t h e south end of the i s l a n d have disappeared s i n c e t h a t time. Oce of t h e s p e c i e s t h a t disappeared from Zembra a t some time i s holm The absence of holm oak i s of s E g n i f i c a n t i n t e r e s t oak Quercus s i x + i t should be t h e climax f o r e s t s p e c s e s of t h e i s l a n d (Snane 1977). Although t h e r e a r e no oaks on Zembra, a s s o c i a t e d p l a n t s c h a r a c t e r s s t i c of t h e Q. i l e x climax s t a g e a r e w e l l represented a s w e l l a s t h e p i ~ n e e rs e r a 1 s t a g e s . Bare land i s colonized by a Helianthemwn sward; accompanied by:

=.

Mentha pulegium Trifolium arvense T. tomentosum Vicia tetrasperma

Filago g a l l i c a Plantago coronopus Radiola l i n o i d e s

Hslianthemum swards succeed t o Cfstaceae s c r u b ( ~ i s t u s monspeliensis and C . s a l v i i f o l i u s ) , which occupy about 50 ha, then low Erica multiflora
with:

Pistacia lentiscus P e r i p l o c a laevf g a t a P h i l l y r e a a n g u s t i f o l i a s s p media Myrtus communis Daphne gnkdium Lonicera implexa

Clematks c i r r h o s a P a r i e t a r i a l u s i t a n f ca Arkstolochia longa Sonchus oleraceus Bryonia dkoica Arisarum vulgare

which has bee^ replaced on 50 ha by t h e high E r i c a arborea and Arbutus t h e s t a g e preceding a Q. i l e x clkmax. A d d i t i o ~ a l unido shrab complex

s p e c i e s appearing a t t h i s s t a g e i n c l u d e : Echium plantagsneum Paronychka echknata Sklene g a l l i c a Cichoiam i n t y b u s A l l i u m roseum A. p a l l e n s Campanula dichotoma Calycotome v i l l o s a Rubsa peregrkna Polypodkum vulgare Trklax apula Ammi: majus

Frequent d i s r u p t i o n s t o t h e ecosystems s e t back t h e s u c c e s s f o n a l s t a g e s and i n s u l a r i t y and o t h e r i n f l u e n c e s p r e v e n t e s t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e Quercus ilex climax f o r e s t . More xerothermkc l o c a t f o n s a r e occupked by Olea europaea P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s ( o r 0 l e a - l e n t i s c u s ) formations. europaea has survived o n l y 3x1 t h e most xerothermsc s i t e s (c.30 h a ) , s o most s t a c d s a r e dominated only by P i s t a c i a l e n t k s c u s (more than 140 ha). 350 m wide between t h e lowest O l e a - l e n t i s c u s formations occupy a b e l t 50 l k m i t of t h e Quercus ilex type formatkons and t h e h a l o p h i l e zone along t h e s e a . Spacias a s s o c i a t e d with t h e formation i n c l u d e :

G a l a c t i l i s tomentosa Hyosaris r a d i a t a Brassica c r a t i c a a t l a n t i c a Avia t e n o r i i Carex d i v i s a Capparis spinosa Prasium majus

Euphorbia p e p l i s Jun2perus Phoenicia Ruta c h a l e p e n s i s Rapistrum rugosum B r i s a maxfma D a c t l y h glomerata Medscago h i s p i d a

Alocg t h a shora of Zembra and over most o f Zembretta i s a l i t t o r a l zoce subjected t o s e a water s p r a y , which f a v o r s h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n . 100 m wide on Zembra and e x t e n d s up t o 50 m kn a l t i t u d e , This zone i s 50 covering a t o t a l of 8 0 ha. The h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n i s typkfied by:

Crithmum maritimum Inula crithmoidas S e ~ e c i o rassifolius c acd accompaciad by r Senecio c i n e r a r i a t y p i c u s Urginea maritima Erodium maritkmwn T Cakile a e g y p t i a Polygonum maritimum rT Polypogon maritimus I b e r i s semperf l o r u s

S t a t i c e vsrgata S. e c h i o i d e s Lotus a l l k o n i i

Fumaria c a p r e c l a t a Mesembryanthemem c r k s t a l l i n u m Atriplex patula Scabsosa f a r i n o s a Dkanthus r u p i c o l e hermaensfs Brassica cretkca a t l a n t i c a Erodfum chium

The remainder of Zembretta, around t h e l i g h t h o u s e i s occupied by Pistacia lectiscus Olea europaea Phkllyrea angustffolfa Chamaerops humilis

r = Rare T = Tunisia E~demic

Vegetation C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of S p e c i a l Importance The Zembra a r c h i p e l a g o i s t h e only i s l a n d l o c a t i o n of t h e Oleal e n t i s c u s a s s o c i a t i o n i n T u n i s i a . I n s u l a r i t y has r e s u l t e d i n t h e halophile v e g e t a t i o n formation being d i f f e r e n t from t h a t same type elsewhere. The l i t t o r a l eone has been l e f t undamaged by man f o r many y e a r s and t h e h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n ie t h e r e f o r e a prfme example of i t s typa i n Tunisia. Soma s p e c i e s on Zembra a r e a l s o common i n I t a l y , but have not extended t h e i r range i n t o mainland Afrfca. These include: Senecio c i n e r e a Echium maritimum I b e r f s semperf l o r e n s Poterkum spPnosum (Sanguisorba spinosum)

The ocly Tunisian l o c a t i o n of Calendula s u f f r u t i c o s a i s Zembra. Rare and endemic s p e c i e s i n c l u d e ( ~ a u l t h i e r1978, I U C N 1987, Radford and Peterken 1969): T Scabiosa f a r i n o s a ( c a p Bon only)

r Diarthus r u p i c o l a h e m a e n s i s ( c a p Bon only) T

T NA v v T A Melica minuta s s p euminuta Ferula t i c g i t a n a ( c a p Bon and Oran, ~ l g e r s a ) Sisymbrium polyceratum Brassica c r e t i c a a t l a n t i c a Sedam tuberosam v = Very Rare r = Rare

r r r r r r

Avena longiglumis Meliotus alegans Silene neglecta Erodium hymenoides E. maritimum Lavatera punctata

...................................................
NA = North African Endemic T = ~ u n i s i a / ~ l ~ e Ecdemic A ria T = T u n i s i a Endemic

B. Fauna

Mammals. Askde from s m a l l r o d e n t s and b a t s , the only mammal on t h e i s l a n d t h a t i s probably n a t i v e i s t h e Maghreb subspecies of t h e European r a b b i t . I n a r e a s where r a b b i t s congregate, they can v i r t u a l l y e l i m i n a t e Brassica c r e t i c a and Daucus c a r o t t a by grazing. Myomatosis d r a s t i c a l l y reduced t h e r a b b i t population i n t h e p a s t , but i n 1977 Snane s t i l l estimated 10 r a b b i t s per h e c t a r e near-Cappo Crosso and 3 per ha around C a l l a Freda and A i r Kabar. Introduced s p e c i e s i n c l u d e abundant black r a t s R a t t u s r a t t u s alexandrus, which a r e preyed upon by f e r a l c a t s . Some European mouflon Ovis musimon were introduced t o t h e i s l a n d , a s w e l l a s f e r a l g o a t s and sheep, which a r e now causing overgrazing and s o i l compaction problems e s p e c i a l l y t h e goats. Endangered monk s e a l s were observed on t h e Zembra c o a s t i n t h e p a s t (IUCN 19871, but t h e r e have been no r e p o r t s i n r e c e n t years. Commoc dolphics a r e o f t e n observed n e a r t h e c o a s t . Birds. Of the 140 b i r d s p e c i e s recorded f o r t h e Zembra archipelago, most a r e migratory. Some s p e c i e s s t o p a t t h e i s l a n d s f o r ocly a few days while o t h e r s remain most of t h e year. The l a c k of a dense herb l a y e r under t h e s h m b formations r e s u l t s in a l a c k of n e s t i n g cover acd a l o x prodaction of i c s e c t s f o r i n s e c t i v o r e s t o prey oc ( ~ n a n e1977). Both

f a c t o r s i n c r e a s e p r e d a t i o n on upland ground nestkng b i r d s ; t h e r e f o r e , n o t many r e s i d e n t n e s t i n g upland b i r d s p e c i e s have been recorded f o r Zembra. Some r a t h e r l a r g e p o p u l a t i o n s o f s e a b i r d s n e s t on t h e i s l a n d s . A colony of c.20,000 25,000 Cory's s h e a r w a t e r s n e s t s t h e r e (IUCN 1987). T h i s is one o f t h e l a r g e s t known Cory's e h e a r w a t e r c o l o n i e s i n t h e i r e n t i r e range (Snane 1977), and t h e o n l y o t h e r known n e s t i n g l o c a t i o n i n T u n i s i a i s t h e G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o . There a r e a l s o nestkng colon5es o f h e r r i n g g u l l s and endangered Audouin's g u l l s and p e r e g r i n e f a l c o n s , g i v i n g t h e s i t e k n t e r n a t i o n a l importance. The main r e s i d e n t n e s t i n g b i r d s a r e :

Cory' s s h e a r w a t e r Herring g u l l (900 p a i r s ) t Audouin's g u l l (10 p a i r s )

Shag

t P e r e g r i n e (1 1-13 p a i r s )
Rock dove

t = Threatened S p e c i e s
Mkgratory b i r d s , many of which a r e l i k e l y t o n e s t on t h e i s l a n d s , i c c l u d e : Kestrel Long-legged buzzard Blue rock t h r u s h Long-tailed t i t (uncommor) Coal t i t Non-nesting migrants i n c l u d e : Gannet Grey heron Little egret White s t o r k Black s t o r k Crace Black k i t e Short-toed e a g l e Sparrowhawk Buzzard Honey buzzard Booted .eagle Egyptian v u l t u r e Marsh h a r r i e r Hen h a r r i e r Eleonora's falcon Common s a n d p i p e r Cuckoo Quail Wren Blackcap Whitethroat Bonnelli's warbler Chiffchaff Goldcrest Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Red-backed s h r i k e Yellow w a g t a i l Grey w a g t a i l Tree p i p i t Water p i p i t Swallow House martin Black r e d s t a r t Redstart Stonrchat Robin Blackbird Dunnock F a n - t a i l e d warblar Corn bunting House sparrow Goldfinch Raven

Herpetofauna. The r e p t i l e s and amphibians of Zembra have not been w e l l s t u d i e d , but Snane (1977) made a p a r t i a l l i s t , including: Psammodromus a l g i r u s ( common) Hemidactylus t u r c i c u s t u r c i c u s P h y l l o d a c t y l u s europaeus ( p r o b a b l e ) C a r e t t a c a r e t t a c a r e t t a - marine t u r t l e Challokdes o c e l l a t u s (commoc) Coluber h i p p o r r e p i s (snake) Malpolon monspressulanus " C o r n e l l a girondica

'I

C.

Influences

During t h e successive p e r i o d s of c o n t r o l by v a r i o u s n a t i o n s through h i s t o r y , s e v e r a l v e g e t a t i o c d e g r a d a t i o n and r e g e n e r a t i o n cycles have occurred on Zembra. Degradation of t h e climax v e g e t a t i o n types by c u l t i v a t i o r , g r a z i n g , burnicg acd woodcutting encouraged invasion by more x e r i c s p e c i e s and eliminated some l e s s x e r i c s p e c i e s ( ~ n a n e1977). The prolonged human a c t i v i t y r e s u l t e d i n t h e evolutkon o f t h e present shrub communities acd t h e absence of oaks, which would otherwise be t h e climax f o r e s t type of t h e i s l a n d . After 1900 a g r i c u l t u r e and population p r e s s u r e decreased, but occasiooal f i r e s continued. A f t e r 1963 tourism began t o increase. 1977 t o u r i s t use had only reached t h e lowest p a r t of t h e a l l u v i a l but t h e e f f e c t s were g r e a t enough t o decrease speckes d i v e r s i t y . s l o p e s where t h e v e g e t a t i o o cover i s inadequate, t h e erosion r a t e t h e s o i l formatioc r a t e . Human i n t e r f e r e n c e a c c e l e r a t e s t h e s o i l
By platn, O steep n equals loss.

To p r o t e c t t h i s unique and i n t e r n a t i o c a l l y important n a t u r a l a r e a t h e e c t i r e a r c h i p i l a g o and a 1.5 mile marice zone were designated a s T u n i s i a ' s f i r s t c a t i o c a l park and biosphere r e s e r v e i n 1977. P l a n s f o r tourism and p r o t s c t i o r acd echaccemect of t h e fauna and f l o r a were made, but very l i t t l e has beer implemected, l a r g e l y due t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e i s l a n d was l a t e r placed under m i l i t a r y c o c t r o l .

3.2.

Kuriate

The K a r i a t e i s l a c d s a r i two r e l a t i v e l y small emergences E-NE of Monastir and E-SE of Sfax. The main i s l a n d i s aboxt 2.5 k long by 2 k m m m wide, with a n a r e a of about 350 ha. I t l i e s 16 k from t h e mainland ( ~ o c a s t i r )and 2 k from t h e s m a l l e r i s l a n d . The small i s l a n d i s o c l y m much of which i s i c t e r t i d a l f l a t s and lowland. abodt 100 ha i n s i z e

L i k i t h i mairland a t Sousse, t o which t h e i s l a n d s were once connected, Kuriate i s formed of a limestone s u b s t r a t e o v e r l a i c by calcareous and s a n d s t o r i c r u s t s topped by a t h i n l a y e r of sand deposited by t h e sea. The
i s l a n d s are low and f l a t

always l e s s than 10 m ASL and u s u a l l y o n l y a

few meters above s e a l e v e l . The s e a bottom s l o p e s very gradually away from t h e i s l a c d s and does not reach 50 m depth u n t i l more than 10 km o u t t o sea.
A.

Vegetatioc

Approximately one-third of t h e main i s l a n d i a a low sebkhet-like d e p r i s s i o c with an o u t l e t t o t h e sea. The c e n t e r of t h e depression i s a few h e c t a r e s of bare sand surrounded by a h a o l p h i l e a s s o c i a t i o n of Arthrocnemum acd Halocnemum. On h i g h e r ground, dominant p l a n t s i n c l u d e :
N A S Limociastrum guyociacum

Pistacia l e c t i s c ~ s C r a t a e g ~ sa z a r o l u s

Euphorbia p a r a l i a s Frankexka s p Tamarix sp.

B.

Fauna

K u r i a t e i s one of t h e t h r e e Tuniskan l o c a t i o n s (along with C a l i t e and emb bra) where t h e Maghreb s u b s p e c i e s of t h e european r a b b i t is found. The r a b b i t population i s unknown, b u t s e v e r a l r a b b i t burrows were noted on a n i c s p e c t i o n of t h e main i s l a n d i n October, 1987. Rodents a l s o occur on t h e i s l a n d , b u t s p e c i e s l i s t s o r o t h e r r e c o r d s were n o t found by t h e a u t h o r . Birds i n c l u d e s e d e n t a r y s a r d i n i a n w a r b l e r s , m i g r a t o r y p a s s e r i n e s , such a s brambling, and most of t h e b i r d s recorded f o r t h e Gulf of Hammamet (~ectioc 3.1.3). C. Influences

There i s a l i g h t h o u s e complex and a marabout on t h e ksland, which occupy some of t h e s c a r c e h a b i t a t space, b u t t h e makn human caused i c f l u e n c e on t h e ecosystem appears t o be o v e r g r a z i n g by t h e l i g h t h o u s e k e e p e r ' s sheep and g o a t s . A l l of t h e Crataegus and many P i s t a c i a bushes a r e s e v e r e l v browsed and s t u n t e d . Some v e g e t a t i o n c u t t i n - and c a ~ t u r eof g b i r d s acd r a b b i t s by t h e r e s i d e n t s a l s o seems l i k e l y . Erosion isr e s u l t i c g i n s h o r e l i c e degradation t h a t may l e a d t o s i g n s f i c a c t d e c r e a s e s i n s u r f a c e a r e a of t h i maic i s l a n d .

3.2.5.

Kerkennah

The Kerkecnah a r c h i p e l a g o l i e s 22 k e a s t of S f a x , a t t h e northern end m of t h e Galf of Gabes. Two main i s l a n d s , I s l e Rharbi ("west 1sland") and I s l e Chergai ( " ~ a s tislandi') form a 22 k long s t r i p o r i e n t e d NE-SW, m p a r a l l e l t o t h e c o a s t . I s l e Rharbi i s t h e c l o s e s t t o t h e mainland with a micimnm d i s t a c c e of 21 k t o Rass Sfax. m I s l e Chergui i s t h e l a r g e s t i s l a n d , approximately 6400 ha i n c l u d i n g t h e low marshy a r e a s . I s l e Rharbi i s 5400 ha i n s i z e . Within two km of I s l e Chergui a r e 3 s m a l l i s l a n d s : I s l e Sefnou (80 ha) t o t h e NW, I s l e Roumedia (200 h a ) t o t h e n o r t h m d I s l e Khermedi (250 ha) t o t h e e a s t . The a r c h i p e l a g o i s on a shallow platform (van D i j k 1986) and a t low t i d e c.3600 ha of t i d a l f l a t s a r e exposed.
A l a r g e p l a i n once extended from Sfax t o beyond Kerkennah. The r i s i n g s e a l e v e l flooded t h e lower a r e a s around Kerkennah and l e f t a low f l a t archipelago. N e i t h e r i s l a n d s r i s e s more t h a n 50 m above s e a l e v e l . S t e e p banks occur i n some p l a c e s , b u t most of t h e s h o r e l i n e recedes g e n t l y i n t o t h e sea. The s e a bottom i s l e s s than 1 0 m deep f o r s e v e r a l k i l o m e t e r s and does not reach 50 km depth u n t i l a minimum of 32 k from t h e i s l a n d s . m Shallow waters l e s s than 50 m deep extend a s f a r a s 140 km from t h e c o a s t ( ~j a i and Zaarah 1981 ). a A l i m e s t o c e bedrock s u b s t r a t e i s topped by s i l t y s o i l , .boulders and c a l i c h e , o r by sacd acd sandy c l a y (Van D i j k 1986). I n t e r t i d a l a r e a s have sandy s a b s t r a t e s , o f t e c covered by o r mixed w i t h s i l t o r clay.

A.

Vegetation

Most of t h e high ground i s dominated by u n c u l t i v a t e d palm t r e e s Phoenix d a c t l i f e r a . Olives were c u l t i v a t e d on t h e i s l a n d s a s e a r l y a s t h e fifi+(Burollet 1927). Lygeum spartum grows beneath t h e palms i n gypsous a r e a s and t h e r e a r e s c a t t e r e d l o c a t i o n s o f tripartitum, Juncus, P i t u r a n t h o s t o r t u o s a , and s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of g r a s s e s and o t h e r a l l of which a r e h e a v i l y razed by g o a t s and sheep. Many of t h e annuals s p e c i e s o f annual p l a n t s found on t h e i s l a n d of Jerba (Section 3.2.6) could a l s o be expected t o occur on Kerkennah. Depressions have a moderately dense ground cover o f :

N S Limoniastrum guyonianum A Zygophy llum album Limonium sp.

Frankenia s p . Lyceum europaeum

N S = North African Sahara Endemic A S h o r e l i n e s and sebkhets t h a t a r e f r e q u e n t l y inundated by seawater o f t e n support h a l o p h i l e a s s o c i a t i o n s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by Ha1ocnem.m and Arthroccemum ( ~ a c Dijk 1986). I n t e r t i d a l a r e a s a r e o f t e n covered by Cymodoecea meadows. B. Fauna

Mamaals. The mammalian fauna of Kerkernah i s r e l a t i v e l y poor. Many s p e c i e s have been eliminated by hunting p r e s s u r e and l o s s of h a b i t a t t o c u l t i v a t i o n and overgrazing. Algerian hedgehogs, brown h a r e s , b a t s and a v a r i e t y of r o d e n t s a r e s t i l l common on t h e i s l a n d s , but o t h e r s p e c i e s a r e scarce.
Birds. A v a r i e t y of s e d e n t a r y and migratory b i r d s have beer recorded on Kerkennah. The l a c k of high c l i f f s and dense f o r e s t cover r e s t r i c t s n e s t i n g b i r d s t o some e x t e n t , but t h e long s t r e t c h e s of sandy beaches i n v i t e a number of shorebirds. Most s h o r e b i r d s l i s t e d f o r t h e Gulf of Gabes ( s e c t i o n 3.1.4) a l s o occur on Kerkennah. Other s p e c i e s include:

Crane Stone curlew Barbary p a r t r i d g e Palm dove Hoopoe Swallou

Great g r e y s h r i k e

Blackbird

Meadow p i p i t White w a g t a i l Stonechat Moussier's r e d s t a r t Robin

Skylark Wood l a r k Crested l a r k Starling Spotless s t a r l i n g Spanish sparrow

Vegetatioc under t h e palm t r e e s i s s o overgrazed t h a t by autumn only s c a t t e r e d unpalatable p l a n t s remain. This l e a v e s t h e ground q u i t e barren with l i t t l e cover f o r fauna. C u l t i v a t i o n i c f l u e n c e s t h e fauna and f l o r a near t h e c i t i e s . Vegetables a r e grow. where t h e s a l i n i t y l e v e l of t h e s o i l i s low and t h e r e a r e many orchards and o l i v e groves. Residects f a r t h e r a f f e c t t h e f l o r a by c o l l e c t i n g v e g e t a t i o c f o r f u e l acd fodder.

Fishermen c o n s t r u c t long b a r r i c a d e s made of wooden poles on t h e k n t e r t i d a l f l a t s t o d i r e c t f i s h i n t o t r a p s and many people walk on t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s t o c o l l e c t mussels and o t h e r seafood. These a c t i v i t i e s a f f e c t more than t h e s p e c i e s c o l l e c t e d ; v e g e t a t i o n i s a l s o trampled. Large amounts of land a r e occupied by seven c i t i e s , roads and garbage dumps. S e v e r a l cemetaries e x i s t , which have a p o s i t i v e i n f l u e n c e on t h e n a t i v e v e g e t a t i o n by providing a r e a s r e l a t i v e l y f r e e from disturbance. S e v e r a l t o u r i s t h o t e l s have been c o n s t r u c t e d and a l a r g e s e c t i o n of beach i s h e a v i l y used i n t h e summer by t o u r i s t s . The i n t e n s i v e c o n c e n t r a t i o n i n one a r e a could a c c e l e r a t e ecosystem degeneration i n t h e tourism zone i f proper management p r a c t i c e s a r e n o t followed. However, c o n c e n t r a t i n g t o u r i s t use i n one a r e a does l e s s e n tmpacts on t h e r e s t of the island.

3.2.6.

Kneiss

A former c o a s t l i n e and e s t u a r y were washed away by t h e p o s t - g l a c i a l r i s e i n s e a l e v e l , l e a v i n g t h e Kneiss i s l a n d s and i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s (van Dijk 1986). The Knekss i s l a n d s a r e 57 k s t r a i g h t l i n e d i s t a n c e from both m Sfax and Gabes. The main i s l a n d i s about 1.5 k from t h e mainland p r o p e r , m but due t o t h e shallow w a t e r , low t f d e s expose much of t h e area between t h e i s l a n d and t h e c o a s t . Kneiss is p a r t of t h e l a r g e i n t e r t i d a l complex of t h e Gulf of Gabes ( s e c t i o n 3.1.4).

Kneiss i s composed of a main i s l a n d ( ~ z i r a te l ~ e s s i l a )of 650 ha and a row of f o u r s m a l l e r i s l e t s t o t h e south. The s m a l l i s l e t s , named D z i r a t e l Hajar, DzTrat e l Laboua and E l J a z i r a t e l Rharbia ( 2 i s l e t s ) each have an a r e a of 1 t o 2 ha. A l l f i v e i s l e t s a r e f l a t and low. A limestone base i s o f t e c bordered by sandy beaches with r o c k s and pebbles mixed i n o r on top. Adjacent i n t e r t i d a l a r e a s may have s e v e r a l l a y e r s of sand and sediments.
A.

Vegetation

Tides have a g r e a t e f f e c t on t h e v e g e t a t s o n of Kneiss. Even on t h e h i g h e r ground, where t i d a l w a t e r s seldom r e a c h , s e a spray keeps t h e environment s a l i n e enough t o encourage a predominance of h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n . ~alocnemum~strobilaceum-and a l i m o n ep o r t u l a c o i d ~ swith some ~ S p a r t i n a sp. dominates hkgh ground v e g e t a t i o n . I n l a n d on t h e main k s l a n d , Arthrocnemum, Suaeda and some s p e c i e s o f herbaceous p l a n t s s i m i l a r t o those found i n h a l o p h i l e a s s o c t a t i o n s on t h e mainland, a r e l i k e l y t o occur. .On t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s , Zostera n o l t i i forms extensive meadows. B. Fauna

Mammals. The s m a l l skze and h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n of Kneiss s e v e r e l y r e s t r i c t s t h e s p e c i e s of mammals t h a t can i n h a b i t t h e i s l a n d s . Sand r a t s have been recorded (van D i j k 1986) and some o t h e r r o d e c t s probably occur, b a t permanently r e s i d i n g l a r g e mammals a r e a b s e n t .

Birds. Kneiss i s such an important p a r t of t h e Gulf of Gabes c o a s t a l ' complex t h a t v i r t u a l l y a l l of t h e waders and waterfowl recorded i n s e c t i o n 3.1.4 a r e found on o r around t h e Kneias i s l a n d s . P a s s e r i n e s , n e s t i n g and threatened s p e c i e s include: n n n n n t L i t t l e egret Redshank Slender-billed g u l l Common t e r n L i t t l e tern White s t o r k t Slender-billed curlew t Peregrine Marsh h a r r i e r Lesser short-toed l a r k Skylark Meadow p i p k t Water p i p i t White w a g t a i l Fan-tailed warbler Spectacled warbler

t
r
C.

= Threatened Species
=

Nesticg Birds

Icfluences

Human i c f l u e c c e s on Kneiss d a t e back t o t h e Roman empire, a s evidenced by r a i c s and a r t i f a c t s oc each of t h e i s l a n d s . Currently t h e main i s l a n d i s i n h a b i t e d by temporary r e s i d e n t s who f i s h and c o l l e c t carpet s h e l l s Venerupis d e c a s s a t a and V. aurea. Residents from v i l l a g e s on t h e mainland a l s o f i s h and c o l l e c t b i v a l v e s i n t h e a r e a . Ic t h e s p r i n g of 1984 t h e r e wera 80 100 peopla c o l l e c t i n g b i v a l v e s i n t h e a r e a (van Dijk 1986). The e x p l o i t a t i o c a f f a c t s t h e food sourca of many s p e c i e s of fauna ( e s p e c i a l l y ~ ~ s t e r c a t c h e r s ) ,i s r u p t s t h e v e g e t a t i o n cover and may d i s t u r b b i r d s d d u r i c g t h e c e s t i c g seasoc.

3.2.6.
islacd.

Jerba

A t t h e south end of t h e Gulf of Gabes l i e s J e r b a , T u n i s i a ' s l a r g e s t Jerba a c d t h e circumjerbian i s l a n d s a r e t h e c l o s e s t archipelago t o t h e maiclacd. A t the c l o s e s t p o i n t J e r b a 2 s only 2 k m from Rass e l Djerf acd a t t h 2 s o a t h e a s t p o i n t a 7 k bridge connects Jerba t o t h e m m m mainland. Jerba is 58 k E-SE of Gabes and 23 k N-NW of Zarzis.
Roughly 30 k long by 20 k wide, J e r b a covers 50,000 ha with an m m a d d i t i o n a l 3000 ha of c o a s t a l marsh and i n t e r t i d a l zones. The 3 l a r g e s t of t h e circumjerbian i s l a n d s , D j i l l i d j , Adjsm and Djorf, a r e on t h e south s i d e , between Jerba and t h e c o a s t . Although t h e l a r g e s t of t h e circumjerbiac i s l a n d s have only a few hundred h e c t a r e s of high ground each, t h e r e a r e many s m a l l e r i s l a n d s and low marshy a r e a s which t o t a l 3500 t o 4000 ha (0lney 1965). 10 m high o f f r i a b l e sandstone and limestone There a r e c l i f f s 2 aroucd Jerba (Var Barghen 1977). I n l a n d , above sandstoce and limestone c r a s t s a r e sacdy, o f t e c s i l t y s o i l s with many gypsous l o c a t i o n s . The land g e c t l y a n d a l a t e s a t aboat 10 m above s e a l e v e l and drops t o c o a s t a l lagoons, sebkhats acd dune a r e a s along t h i c o a s t . Dines a r e g e c e r a l l y 100 m wide. Behicd those dunes i s a u c s t a b l i acd form l i t t o r a l bands 30 complix of s t a b l e , o r ' f i x e d ' , dunes t h a t were vegetated locg ago.

A.

Vegetation

Most of J e r b a h a s been c u l t i v a t e d t o d a t e palms, o l i v e s , v a r i o u s f r u i t t r e e s and v e g e t a b l e s . The r e s t i s s o overgrazed t h a t only a poor r e p r e s e n t a t i o c of t h e n a t i v e v e g e t a t i o n remains. I n l a n d , on t h e h i g h e r ground, a group of n i t r o p h i l i c s p e c i e s i s found. Thoae s p e c i e s i n c l u d e Malva p a r v i f l o r a , Aizoon hispanicum and Peganum hannala. Around t h e a r e a s of n i t r o p h i l i c s p e c i e s a r e warmer l o c a t i o n s w i t h 5460 ha characterkzed by a ~ i t u r a n t h o st o r t u o s a and Haplophgllum v e n n i c u l a t a a s s o c i a t i o n ( ~ u ~ h o r b i a e e r r a t a v a r i a n m ha with an Artemesia herba-alba and Arthrophytum scoparium a s s o c i a t i o n ( ~ y m n o c a r ~ o s decander s u b a s s o c i a t i o n , Asphodelis microcarpos v a r i a n t ) and 34,000 ha c h a r a c t e r i e e d by a n A. microcarpus v a r i a n t of t h e Z a r z i s peninsula a s s o c i a t i o n ( ~ Houerou and Froment 1969). e Van Berghen (1977) noted two major a s s o c i a t k o n s on t h e dunes between Bordj K a s t i l and Bordj D j e l l i d j composed of 32 s p e c i e s : one on t h e low dunes c h a r a c t s r i z e d by Agropyron farctum and t h e o t h e r on t h e high dunes, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by Ammophila a r e n a r i a . Annuals compose 56% of t h e vegetetioc. Oc the wsst and n o r t h s i d e s of J e r b a t h e r e a r e c o a s t a l dunes vegetated by s p s c i e s groaps c h a r a c t e r i z e d by A. a r e n a r i a and Agropyrum unceum o r Cakile maritima ar.d Medicago m a r i n a 7 ~ eHouerou and Proment * hr ;We e t h e dune sands a r e more s a l k n e , such a s i n t h e northwest corner and on t h e e a s t s i d e of J e r b a , a gypso-halophile a s s o c i a t k o n of N i t r a r i a r e t u s a , Suaeda v s r m i c u l a t a and S a l s o l a s i e b e r i v a r v e s c e r i t e n s i s i s found. I n t h e d e p r e s s i o c s betwsec t h e dunes t h e r e a r e 6 major p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s compossd of 83 s p e c i e s (van Bsrghsn 1979): 1.
2.
A s i n g l e s p e c i e s a q u a t i c a s s o c i a t i o n ( w a t e r 1-4 m deep) of Ruppia

cirrhosa var drepansis.

A p i o n s e r community on wet sands with R i e l l a n o t a r i s s i and some

3.
4.

5.
6.

Chare v u l g a r i s . Very open cover with Limonium tunetanurn and Aeluropus lagopoides. Alocg d e p r e s s i o n edges, Juncus maritimus v a r a r a b i u s occurs. A Schoenus n i g r a n s a s s o c i a t i o n on water-holding s u b s t r a t e s . A pioneer cornmucity with Frankenia p u l v e r u l e n t a .

Along t h e c o a s t a r e found: Halocnemum etrobilaceum Limoniastrum guyonianum Zygophyllum album Tamarix a f r i c a n a ( s p a r s e ) Juncus maritimus A t r i p l e x halimus Limoniurn ep.

Rare p l a c t s i n c l u d e Peganum h a m a l a v a r . garamanteum.

Mammals. Nary fox have been r e l e a s e d on J e r b a by d e p a r t i n g t o u r i s t s who p ~ r z h a s e d fox k i t s and found t h a t they were unable t o t a k e them o u t of t h e c o a c t r y . The i n t r o d x e d fox a r e now s o numerous t h a t they have v i r t a a l l y elirnicated barbary p a r t r i d g e from t h e i s l a n d (A. Abed, pers. corn). Brom h a r e s were s i m i l a r i l y i c t r o d a c e d by t o u r i s t s , but have been

overhunted end almost eliminated. Fennec fox Le r o t Shaw' s j i r d Gerbil

Other reported s p e c i e s include: Fennecus zerda

Birds. A l a r g e proportion of t h e waders and waterfowl l i s t e d f o r t h e Gulf of Gabes ( S e c t i o n 3.1.4) can be seen a t t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s of Jerba. T u r t l e doves and c r a n e s a r e a l s o r e p o r t e d t o use t h e i s l a n d . Some of t h e upland b i r d s observed i n November 1987 include: Marsh h a r r i e r Rock dove Hoopoe Great grey s h r i k e
C.

S a r d i n i a n warbler Stonechat Raven

Influences

Almost a l l of t h e upland a r e a of J e r b a i s c u l t i v a t e d o r developed, leaving l i t t l e land f o r n a t u r a l vegetatkon a s s o c i a t i o n s o r animal h a b i t a t . I n t e n s e c u l t i v a t i o n h a s a l s o r e s u l t e d i n wfnd e r o s i o n and soma dune formation. Hotel c o n s t r u c t i o n destroyed f r a g i l e v e g e t a t i o c cover and r e s u l t e d i n wind e r o s i o c i n s e v e r a l l o c a t i o c s (van Berghic 1977).

3.3.

WETLANDS

I n t h i s docamect t h e term 'wetland' r e f e r s t o permanent and temporary f r e s h o r b r a c k i s h water bodies and t h e i r a d j a c e n t f l o o d p l a i n o r zone of i n f l u e n c e . T h i s i n c l u d e s a l l i n l a n d r i v e r s and water bodies, c o a s t a l s a l t l a k e s and marine l a k e s , ( f i g u r e 6 ) but excludes t h e Mediterranean c o a s t , which i s described i n S e c t i o n 3.1. T u n i s i a h a s more than 100 permanent and temporary wetlands, many o f which a r e o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance. Host o f t h e wetlands a r e i n t h e n o r t h e r n h a l f of t h e country, e s p e c i a l l y n e a r t h e c o a s t , and t h e r e i s a f a i r i n t e r s p e r s i o n almost everywhere but i n t h e Sahara. Wstlands permit a v a r i e t y of p l a n t s p e c i e s t o grow i n ecosystems t h a t e s p e c i a l l y i n the steppes. a r e otherwise o f t e n somewhat homoganous Numerous i n v e r t e b r a t e s , r e p t i l e s , amphibians, b i r d s and mammals t a k e advantage of t h e cover and n u t r i t i o c a l p r o d u c t i v i t y of wetlands. Each y e a r mora than 75,000 flamingos, 400,000 a n a t i d s o f many s p e c i e s , and 250,000 c o o t s and moorhens use ~ u n i s i a ' swetlands f o r n e s t i n g , migration r e s t s t o p s o r w i c t e r i n g l o c a t i o n s ( D i r . Env. 1977). Macy s p s c i e s of r a r e and endemic p l a n t s and animals a r e a l s o found a t wetlands.

Unfortunately, many of T u n i s i a ' s wetlands a r e being d e t r i m e n t a l l y influencad by i n d u s t r i a l complexes, u r b a c expansion, a g r i c u l t u r a l developmsnt p r o j e c t s (dams, d r a i n a g e ) , p e s t i c i d e u s e , hunting p r e s s u r e , p o l l u t i o n and d e s s i c a t i o n ( D i r Env. 1977). The Tunisian government h a s taken s t e p s t o p r o t e c t some of t h e p r i n c i p a l s i t e s by c r e a t i n g permanent r e s s r v e s and n a t i o n a l parks ( ~ e c t i o c5.4). Howaver, t h e mers d e s i g n a t i o n of p r o t e c t e d a r e a s i s o f t e n i n s u f f i c i a n t i n t h e f a c e of heavy population and economic p r e s s u r e s , a s evidenced by t h e f i l l i n g of Lake Tunis ( s e e 3.3.1.3).

The f a c t o r s t h a t wetlands a r e most s e c s i t i v a t o i n c l a d e : A c t i v i t i e s a f f e c t i n g water l e v e l s Upstream dams Draining of marshland f o r c u l t i v a t i o n Changes i n w a t e r q u a l i t y Abnormal i n p u t s of seawater o r s a l i n e runoff Chemical p o l l u t a n t s h e r b i c i d e s , sewage, chemical waste

Actions reducing wetland a r e a s C u l t i v a t i o n of edge zones Adjacent urban development F i l l i n g and c o n s t r u c t i o n

Figure 6 Wetlands of T u n i s i a

nediterranean Se . ..-

1.

Lake 1 c h k e u l Lake B i z e r t e Lake T u n i s Lake M o n a s t i r Monastir S a l i n e s Thyna S a l t Ponds B a h i r e t e l Bibant Sebkhet A r i a n a S k t . Sedjoumi

2.

3.
4.
. 5.

6.

7.
8. 9.

10. S k t . Kourzia 11. S k t . K e l b i a 12. S k t . S i d i e l Han: 13. S k t . e l Djem 14. S k t s . S i d i Hanso and En Noual 15. J e f f a r a Complex 16. S k t . e l G u e t t a r 17. S k t . e l Hamma 18. C h o t t F e j i j 19. C h o t t J e r i d

20. C h o t t E l Gharsa
2 1 . Kebili Lakes

A.

Lake C h i t a n e Lake e l F i e 1 Lake Z e r k i n e Oued Essed P o o l s Dar Fatma Bog

B.
C. D. E.

3.3.1

Harkne Lakes and Lagoons Lake Ichkeul 37'10'N g040'E

3.3.1.1.

I c h k e u l i s a permanent, b r a c k i s h l a k e i n t h e p l a i n of Mateur a t t h e m n o r t h end of Tunfsia. The l a k e i s 20 km southwest of B i z e r t e and 60 k NNW of Tunis. During summer, when t h e water l e v e l i s low, Lake Ichkeul h a s an a r e a of about 8500 ha and i s surrounded by 2737 ha of marshes (ElGhezal 1982). A f t e r w i n t e r r a i n s r a i s e t h e w a t e r l e v e l , t h e s u r f a c e a r e a i s about 10,000 ha.

A t i t s h i g h e s t w i n t e r l e v e l , t h e maximum l a k e depth i s only 3.7 m. Summertime depth i s u s u a l l y around 1.5 m. The shallow depth and low s l o p i n g s i d e s r e s u l t i n t h e d r a s t i c s e a s o n a l changes i n s u r f a c e a r e a . On t h e south s i d e of t h e l a k e i s D j e b e l I c h k e u l ( s e e S e c t i o n 3.4.1.6), which r i s e s t o 508 m a l t i t u d e . F i v e perma e n t r i v i r s and seve a 1 temporary 9 streams, d r a i n i n g a b a s i n of 2089 k m feed 335 m i l l i o n m of water f a n n u a l l y i n t o Lake Ichkeul ( ~ 1 - ~ h e z a1982). The p r o p o r t i o c of i c p u t , by l r i v e r , i s Sejnane 30$, Joumine 489, Melah 12%, Ghezala 3% and Doumis 3%.
Alocg with f r e s h water, t h e r i v e r s a l s o c a r r y a c average of one m i l l i o n cubic meters of sediments from e r o s i o n i n t o t h e l a k e . gbout 75% of t h e sediments a r e evacuated by Oued T i n j a , l e a v i n g 250,000 m of sediments t o s e t t l e on t h e l a k e bottom. The e f f e c t s of t h i s high r a t e of sedimentation a r e i l l u s t r a t e d by t h e f a c t t h a t d u r i n g Carthaginiac times t h e l a k e had an a r e a of 30,000 ha and completely surroanded Djebel I c h k e u l . Today only one t h i r d of t h a t a r e a remains a s opec water, a l l t o 1982). t h e n o r t h of D j . I c h k e u l ( ~ 1 - ~ h e z a l Oued T i n j a connects Lake I c h k e u l t o Lake B i z e r t e , which i s connected t o t h e s e a . I n t h e summer, when t h e water l e v e l drops due t o e v a p o r a t i o r and decreased i n p u t , s a l t water flows i n t o Lake I c h k e u l v i a Oued T i c j a .

A.

Vagetatioc

The v e g e t a t i o n of Lake I c h k e u l and t h e surrounding mershes i s i n t e r s p e r s e d and v a r i e d , b u t t h e r e i s a g e n e r a l p a t t e r n of v e g e t a t i o n t y p e s r a d i a t i n g o u t from t h e c e n t e r of t h e l a k e . I c t h e open water Potamogeton p e c t i n a t u s dominates t h e submergent v e g e t a t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e west end where i t i s an i m p o r t a n t food s o u r c e f o r waterfowl. Another submergent common kn w i n t e r i s Z a n n i c h e l l i a p a l u s t r i s . Enteromorpha i n t e s t i n a l i s , Chara sp., Ruppia maritima and C a l l i t r i c h e p a l u s t r i s a r e common summer s p e c i e s ( ~ o r ~ a n 1982; Zouali 1975).

A t t h e edge of t h e l a k e , bands of r e e d s P h r a p i t e s t h e l a k e from t h e marshes and s h o r e l i n e . Beyond t h e r e e d s , S c i r p u s and Juncus s u b u l a t u s dominate t h e marshes. Typha maritimus, ,& a n g u s t i f o l i a grows along channels through t h e marshes, whose h i g h e r banks a r e f r i n g e d by Tamarix a f r i c a n a . I n s a l t i e r l o c a t i o n s S a l i c o r n i a a r a b i c a and Suaeda maritima dominate h a l o p h i l e a s s o c i a t i o r s . O r higher groand, Hordeam maritimum, Lolium m u l t i f l o r > m , Daucus c a r o t a , Nerium oleacder and Zizyphas l o t u s appear. More complete v e g e t a t i o r i n f o r m a t i o r i s givec i r U L 1977, Morgan 1982 and I U C N 1987. C

Rare Species. The marshes of Lake I c h k e u l a r e one of the few s i t e s i n Tunisia where t h e r a r e Ranunculus ophioglossum and Sparuanium erectum have' beer recorded.

B.

Fauca

Mammals. Many of t h e mammals t h a t i n h a b i t Djebel Ichkeul descend i n t o t h e marshes t o feed. Algerian hedgehog, f o u r s p e c i e s of b a t h hi no lo hus ferrum-equinum, R. e u r y a l e , Myotis myotis, Minopterus e c h r e i b e r s i i Egyptiac mongoose, j a c k a l , red fox, brown h a r e , r o d e n t s ( J a c u l u s o r i e n t a l i s and o t h e r s ) and wild boar a r e among t h e mammals recorded a t lake Ichkaul (UCL1977). O t t e r s L u t r a l u t r a a r e a r a r e epecies i n T u n i s i a t h a t a l s o use t h e Lake Ichkeul marshes. A emall, eemi-wild herd of b u f f a l o Bubalis b u b a l i s has become e s t a b l b h e d a f t e r r e - i n t r o d u c t i o n i n t h e 1 9 7 0 x ~ e c t i o 2.4, ~ a u n a ) . n

- 7

Birds. Lake I c h k e u l i s t h e most important s i n g l e wetland f o r b i r d s i n North Africa ( c a r p 1980) and one of t h e most important s i t e s i n t h e e n t i r e Mediterranean region (IUCN 1987). Approximately 4% of t h e known world p o p a l a t i o c of t h e r a r e white-headed duck were observed a t Ichkeul i n May, 1977 (UCL1977) and they have been known t o breed t h e r e i n t h e p a s t ( c a r p 1980). The laka i s a l s o a t r a d i t i o n a l n e s t i n g s k t e f o r t h e threatened marblad t e a l acd macy o t h e r b i r d s ( s e e f i g u r e 7). Migraticg b i r d s use t h e l a k e e x t e n s i v e l y s i n c e i t i s one of t h e l a s t r e n a i c i c g f r e s h w a t e r ( s a l i n i t y i s < 5 g / l i n w i n t e r ) l a k e s i n North Africa. A t t h e peak of t h e w i n t e r m i g r a t i o n 150,000 t o 200,000 ducks and coots acd 5,000 t o 7,000 g r e y l a g geese a r e p r e s e n t ( c a r p 1980) a l o n g w i t h thousands of waders. The high aumbers of w i n t e r i n g wigeon (39,000) shoveler (6,500) and pochard ( 1 20,000) a r e of i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance based oc tha Heiligenhafen c r i t e r i a gr organ 1982). Greylag goose and pochard cumbers a r e t h e h i g h e s t f o r w i n t e r i n g p o p u l a t i o n s i n t h e Maghreb (IUCI? 1987). Hore t h a n 200 b i r d s p e c i e s have been recorded f o r Djebel and Lake Ichkeul. The most comprehensive b i r d l i s t ( s k i n n e r 1986) i n c l u d e s b i r d s f o m d both oc t h e rnouctain and a t t h e l a k e , and s i n c e many of t h e moactaic s p e c i e s descend t o t h e marsh edges t o feed and d r i n k , t h e e n t i r e l i s t i s r i p r o d a c i d i n f i g u r e 7. I c v e r t e b r a t e s . The s a l i n i t y l e v e l l i m i t s t h e i n v e r t e b r a t e fauna o f t h e l a k e t o s a l t t o l e r a n t s p e c i e s and r e s t r i c t s t h e l e s s t o l e r a n t s p e c i e s t o t h e marshes. Although t h e number of recorded i n v e r t e b r a t e s p e c i e s i s only aroacd 26 (UCL 1977), t h e dominant s p e c i e s a r e p r e s e n t in l a r g e numbers. I n t h e open waters of t h e i n f r a l i t t o r a l zone, zooplankton such a s Copepoda and dense Mysidacea ( ~ r u s t a c e a )a r e found, along with i n v e r t e b r a t e s such a s Amaledia: Nereis diversicolor M e r c i e r e l l a enigmatica Cristacea: Sphaeroma hookeri Gammarus aequicauda Hydrobia v e c t r o s a Abra t e r n i s Idothea balthica, Corophium v o l u t a t o r C. acherusicum Cerastoderma glaucum

Moll.isca:

t h e number o f s p e c i e s ( z o u a l i 1975) i s h i g h e s t a t t h e east end (20) and lowest a t t h e west end ( 5 ) . The m e d t o l i t t o r a l eone c o n t a i n s dense Potamogeton beds t h a t have abundant i n v e r t e b r a t e populations and are important f e e d i n g a r e a s f o r f i s h and waterfowl. Dominant s p e c i e s i n c l u d e : Hydrobia v e n t r o s a Sphaeroma hookeri Nere5s d i v e r s f c o l o r Idothea vkridks

I n t h e waters of t h e i n f r a l i t t o r a l eone (marsh edge), f l u c t u a t i o n s i n water l e v e l , temperature and s a l i m i t y are u n f a v o r a b l e f o r & v e r t e b r a t e p o p u l a t i o n s ( z o u a l i 1975). However, t h e Djoumine marsh h a s f r e s h w a t e r channels t h a t c o n t a i n t h e r i c h e s t and most d i v e r s e a q u a t i c fauna b t h e a r e a (UCL 1977). C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s p e c i e s knclude d r a g o n f l i e s , a l d e r f l i e s S i a l i s sp., Corixid water bugs, w a t e r s c o r p i o n s Nepa sp., Dytiscid water b e e t l e s , c r u s t a c e a n s ( ~ s s e l l u s, f r e s h w a t e r molluscs Limnea sp., flatworms ) T u r b e l l a r i a sp. and o t h e r f r e s h w a t e r s p e c i e s n o t found i n t h e l a k e o r acywhere e l s e i n t h e a r e a i n such abundance. Fish. S e v e r a l s p e c i e s o f f i s h a r e e x p l o i t e d by commercial fishermen a t Ousd T i n j a ( z o a a l i 1975); t h e s e i n c l u d e :

Anguilla a n g u i l l a Dicentrarchus l a b r a x Barbas barbus

Alosa f a l l a x

Mugil cephalus M. ramada Solea solea

Aphanhs f a s c i a t u s

Syngnathus a b a s t e r

Engraulis encrasicholus

Herpitofauna. The d i s t r i b u t i o n of r e p t i l e s and amphibians i s i n f l u e n c e d by t h s water l e v e l and s a l i n s t y i n t h e l a k e s and marshes. Dominant s p e c i e s and t h e i r h a b i t a t t y p e s a r e :

5 Rana ridibunda
1.2 4 2,4 1 Bafo v i r i d i s B. bufo B. maaritan2cus Lacerta o c e l l a t a

1 1,3,4 2,4 2,3,4 4

Malpolon monspessalanus N a t r i x maura Discoglossus p2ctus Clemmys l e p r o s a Emys o r b i c u l a r i s

1 = upper marsh 2 = lower marsh

3 = b r a c k i s h water 4 = f r e s h water

5 = A l l 4 habitats

C.

Influences

Although Lake I c h k e u l i s i n c l u d e d En I c h k e u l N a t i o n a l Park, human i n f l u e n c e s a r e s t i l l a f f e c t i n g t h e t h e environment. The marshes a r e overgrazeed by c a t t l e t o t h e p o i n t t h a t t h e b u f f a l o become malnourished (IUCN 1987); f i s h i n g i s s t i l l done a t Oued T i n j a and sometimes i n t h e l a k e ; aod o c c a s i o n a l poaching occurs. Non-marsh a r e a s around t h e l a k e a r e c u l t i v a t e d and runoff water from t h e f i e l d s c o n t a i n sediments and p o s s i b l y chemical p o l l u t a n t s .
A c a c a l was dag through t h e Djoumine marsh by t h e Rural Works department. The Rural works department does n o t c o n s i d e r t h e c a n a l n e c e s s a r y , but s o f a r no a c t i o n h a s been t a k e n t o f i l l t h e canal. A s water d r a i n s from t h e marsh i n t o t h e c a n a l , t h e v e g e t a t i o n composition changes acd t h e h a b i t a t value f o r waterfowl d e c r e a s e s .

Figure 7 B i r d s of I c h k e u l (from Skinner 1986)

n L i t t l e grebe n Great c r e a t e d grebe Black-necked grebe Cormorant Btttern n Least b i t t e r n n Night heron Squacco heron Cattle egret L i t t l e egret Great white heron r Grey heron ! n Purple heron Black s t o r k t White s t o r k Glossy i b i s Spoonbill G r e a t e r flamingo Swar. spp. Bear. goose White-fronted goose Griylag goose Bar-headed goose Scow goose Barnacle goose Raddy sheldack Shelduck Wigeon Teal Mallard Pintail Garganey Shoveler t Marbled t e a l Red-crested pochard Pochard n F e r r u g i r o u s duck Tilfted duck t n White-headed duck

n Black-winged a t i l t Avocet Stone curlew n Pratincole L i t t l e ringed p l o v e r Ringed p l o v e r n Kentish plover Dotterel Golden p l o v e r Grey p l o v e r Lapwing Little stint Temminck' s s t i n t Sanderling Curlew s a n d p i p e r Dunlin Ruff Jack s n i p e Snipe Great s c i p e B a r - t a i l e d godwit B l a c k - t a i l e d godwi t Curlew Whimbrel S p o t t e d redshank Redshank Greenshank Harsh s a n d p i p e r Green s a n d p i p e r Wood s a n d p i p e r Common s a n d p i p e r Mediterranean g u l l Little gull Black-headed g u l l Slender-billed g u l l L e s s e r b l a c k back Herring g u l l Gull-billed t e r n Caspian t e r n

n n

n n n n n n

Tawny p i p i t Tree p i p 2 t Weadow p i p i t Red-throated p i p i t Water p k p i t Yellow wagtail Grey w a g t a i l White wagtail Bulbal Wren Dun~ack Alpine a c c e n t o r Rafoas bashchat Robir. Nightingale Blaethroat Black r e d s t a r t Redstart Moussier' s r e d s t a r t Whicchat Stonechat 1 s a b e l l i r . e wheatear Commoc wheatear Black-eared wheatear Black wheatear Blue rockthrush Ring ouzel Blackbird Song thrush Redwirg Mistli thrush C e t t i ' s warbler Fan-tailed warbler S a v i ' s warbler Moustached warbler Sedge warbler Reed warbler Great reed warbler Olivaceous warbler

Figure 7 (continued)

t n n
n n n n

Honey buzzard Black k i t e Egyptian v u l t u r e Griffon vulture Short-toed e a g l e Marsh h a r r i e r Hen h a r r i e r Pallid harrier Moataga's h a r r i a r Sparrowhawk Buzzard Long-legged buzzard Golden e a g l e Tawny e a g l e Bootad e a g l e Bocelli' s eagle Osprey Kestrel Red-footed f a l c o n Merlic Hobby Eleonora's falcon Lacner f a l c o n Saker f a l c o n Peregrice Barbary p a r t r i d g e Quail Water r a i l Spotted crake Baillon' s crake Corncrake Moorhen Purple gallinule Coot Andalusian hemipode Crane n t

Sandwich t e r n I c t e r i c e warbler n Little tern Melodeoas w a r b l e r Whiskered t e r n Marmora' s w a r b l e r Black t e r r , Dartford warbler Spectacled warbler White-winged b. t e r n B.-bellied s a n d g r o a s e Subalpine warbler Sardinian warbler Rock dove S t o c k dove Orphear w a r b l e r T u r t l e dove Whitethroat Palm dove Blackcap Gardec w a r b l e r Cuckoo B o n e l l i ' s warbler s c o p s owl Wood w a r b l e r B a r r owl Chif f c h a f f Eagle owl Willow w a r b l e r L i t t l e owl Goldcrest S h o r t - e a r e d owl Firecrest Nightjar Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Swift Collared f l y c a t c h e r Pallid s w i f t Alpine s w i f t Pied f l y c a t c h e r Kingfisher Blue t i t G o l d e ~o r k o l e n Bee e a t e r Roller Bush s h r i k e G r e a t grey s h r i k e Hoopoe Woodchat s h r i k e Wryneck c Corr b x t i c g Calacdra l a r k Reed b u n t i n g n Lessar short-toed l a r k Hawf i c c h n Short-toed l a r k Licne t Thekla l a r k Goldficch n Crested l a r k Griicfi~ch Skylark Szric n Sand m a r t i n Chafficch Crag m a r t i n Rock sparrow Swallow S p a c i s h sparrow House m a r t i n Starling Raven Spotless s t a r l i c g

Nesting Birds Threatened S p e c i e s

By f a r t h e most s e r i o u s problem t h r e a t e n i n g Lake I c h k e u l i s a s e r i e s of 6 dams b e i n g c o n s t r u c t e d on a l l 5 o f t h e main r i v e r s flowing i n t o t h e l a k e . The dams w i l l s e v e r e l y reduce t h e f r e s h w a t e r i n p u t t o t h e l a k e , r e s u l t i c g i c lower summer w a t e r l e v e l s and i n c r e a s e d i n f l u x e s of s e a w a t e r . S i g n i f i c a n t i n c r e a s e s i c s a l i n i t y w i l l k i l l o f f much o f t h e Potamogeton and S c i r p u s t h a t c u r r e n t l y a t t r a c t waterfowl. I f no m i t i g a t i o n a c t i o n s a r e taken, t h e h a b i t a t value w i l l drop s h a r p l y , with s e r i o u s r a m i f i c a t i o n s f o r macy s p e c i e s of b i r d s and t h e n a t u r a l i n t e g r e t y o f t h e n a t i o n a l park.
H o l l i s ( 1986) recommended f i v e p o s s i b l e schemes f o r a m e l i o r a t i n g t h e e f f e c t s of t h e dams. None of t h e a c t i o n s h a s been due t o i n d e c i s i o n by r e s p o n s a b l e a g e n t s and a l a c k o f f i n a n c e s f o r t h e p r o j e c t s . The recommended a c t i o n s i n c l u d e f i l l i n g t h e Djoumine marsh; i n s t a l l i n g a w e i r o r s l a i c e a t Oued T i n j a t o c o n t r o l w a t e r flow; b u i l d i n g dykes t o r e d u c e t h e a r e a of t h e l a k e , t h u s r e d u c i n g s a l i n i t y ; and r e s e r v o i r r e l e a s e s when t h e l a k e i s below 1 0 cm ASL.

3.3.1.2. Lake B i z e r t e Lake B i z e r t e i s cocnected t o , and l i e s n o r t h e a s t o f , Lake I c h k e u l . The l a k e a r e a i s a b o a t 13,000 ha and f l u c t u a t e s s l i g h t l y w i t h t h e t i d e s . Water i c Lake B i z e r t e i s s a l i n e , b u t d u r i n g w i n t e r and s p r i n g , w a t e r e n t e r i e g from Lake I c h k e u l through Oued T i n j a l o w e r s t h e s a l i n i t y t o s l i g h t l y l e s s t h a c t h a t of s e a w a t e r (35 g / l ) . A t i t s d e e p e s t po2ct t h e l a k e i s 12 m d e e p and most of t h e l a k e i s d e e p e r t h a c 2 m. The a d j a c e n t t e r r a i r i s g e c t l y a n d u l a t i n g w i t h a low marsh on t h e e a s t s i d e .
A.

Vegetatioc

Most o f t h e s h o r e l i n e h a s been c u l t i v a t e d o r developed. I n t h e marsh a t t h e e a s t s i d i t h e p a r t s t h a t have n o t been c u l t i v a t e d o r developed s u p p o r t h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n . Marine f l o r a t o t a l s 145 s p e c i e s ( ~ a o u l i 1980). The number o f s p e c i e s d e c r e a s e s c l o s e t o Oued T i n j a due t o t h e lower s a l i c i t y , bat marine Phacerogames s u c h a s Z o s t e r a marina and Ruppia maritime c a c be f o a c d . O t h e r marine Phanerogames growing i n t h e l a k e i c c l u d e Z o s t e r a c o l t i i betweec 0.5 m and 1 m deep ( e s p e c i a l l y on t h e n o r t h side) end Cymodocea c o d o s a a t d a p t h s between 1 and 2 m. Algaes found i n the shallow waters include: Chlorophyceaes : Ulva l a c t u c a Entermorpha compressa Chaetomorpha linum ( r a r e ) Cladophora p r o l i f e r a ( r a r e ) C. l a e t e v i r e c s Caalerpa p r o l i f e r a Pheophyceaes: Cystoskirs a b m t a c i f o l i a Dictyota abrotanifolia D i c t y ~ p t e r i sp o l u p o d i o i d e s Padica pavoria ( r a r e ) Rhodophyceaes: Lithohamnium f r u t i c u l o s u m L. lenormandi J a n i a rubens ( r a r e ) Corralina officinalis Laurencia p a p i l l o s a ( r a r e ) G r a c i l a r i a confervoides ( r a r e ) Posidonia oceanica Acetalbularia mediterranea Halimedia t u n a

B.

Fauna

Mammals. Red f o x , j a c k a l , brown h a r e , Algerfan hedgehog, and Egyptian mongoose a r e l i k e l y t o be found i n t h e a r e a . Bernard (1969) reported t h e presence of s e v e r a l r o d e n t s such a s Shawls j i r d , g e r b i l G e r b i l l u s campestris and f i e l d mouse Apodemus s y l v a t i c u s i n t h e a r e a . Birds. The l a k e i s t o o deep f o r e x t e n s i v e b i r d u s e , such a s t h a t which occurs a t Lake Ichkeul. Many of t h e s p e c i e s of waders, t e r n s and galls t h a t use I c h k e u l a l s o o c c u r i n s m a l l e r numbers a t Lake B i z e r t e . Species noted on t h e e a s t a i d e o f t h e l a k e 3n August 1987 i n c l u d e h e r r i n g g u l l , white-winged black t e r n , l i t t l e e g r e t and swallow. Marice Fauna. consists of: The marine fauna, a s reported by Zaouli (1980), Polychetes: Nereis d i v e r s i c o l o r Perenereis c u l t r i fera Hermioce h y s t r i x Amphytechne auricoma S a b e l l a pavonia Ficopomatas enigmaticus Hydroides e l e g a n s H. dirampha Vermf l i o p s i s s t r i a t i c e p s Pileolaria millitaris J a n i a pseudocormgata

Sponges: S u b e r i t e s domunicula Clathria coralloides Leuconia a s p e r a Cnidaires: Anemonia s u l c a t a Bunodactis verrucosa

Influences

Extensive c u l t i v a t i o n and development around Lake B i z e r t e h a s reduced t h e a v a i l a b l e h a b i t a t . F i s h i n g and boating a c t i v i t y d i s t u r b avifauna and commercial f i s h i n g skews t h e f i s h population s t r u c t u r e . 3.3.1.3. Lake Tunis 36'50'

1016* E

Between t h e c a p i t o l c i t y - o f Tunis and t h e s e a l i e s Lake Tunis. The l a k e i s a c t u a l l y a l a r g e (4500 h a ) shallow lagoon t h a t formed when an a c c r e t i n g sandy b a r r i e r s p i t s e p a r a t e d an open bay from t h e Mediterranean s e a i n t h e 1 6 t h c e n t u r y (Saubade and Rosso 1983). Lake Tunis i s composed of t h r e e d i s t i n c t ecosystems: North Lake, South Lake, and Navigation canal ( ~ e l k h i r and Salem 1983). The North and South p a r t s a r e always l e s s than 2 m deep and t h e m a j o r i t y i s l e s s t h a n 1 m deep. The n a v i g a t i o n c a n a l i s c.5 m deep. Lake Tunis i s connected t o t h e s e a by t h e Khereddine c a c a l i c t h e c o r t h and t h e Rades c a n a l i n t h e south. There i s one s m a l l i s l a n d , C h i k l i , on which t h e r e a r e t h e remains of an o l d f o r t r e s s .

A.

Vegetation

Lake Tunis i s a h i g h l y e u t r o p h i c , brackish l a k e , s o t h e r e i s not a hfgh d i v e r s i t y of v e g e t a t i o n . The o u t l e t t o t h e s e a i s o f t e c choked by eea l e t t u c e % sp. and c a l c i f i e d tubes of Mercurella ecigmatica ( c a r p 1980). Algae mats form on t h e s t a g n a n t water during t h e summer. B. Fauna

Mammals. Due t o t h e high degree of development, only o c c a s i o n a l jackals, fox o r h a r e s would be expected t o occur a t t h e lake. Bernard (1969) l i s t e d Shaw's j i r d , g e r b i l G e r b i l l u s campestris and jerboa J a c u l u s o r i e n t a l i s f o r t h e a r e a . Some s p e c i e s of b a t s a l s o occur. Birds. C h i k l i i s l a n d i s one o f only two o r t h r e e l i t t l e e g r e t n e s t i n g a r e a s i c Tunisia. Cormorants, h e r r i n g g u l l s and k e s t r e l s a l s o n e s t on t h e i s l a n d . Mallards and marbled t e a l nested a t t h e l a k e i c t h e p a s t ( c a r p 1980). Lake Tunis i s very important f o r wintering g r e a t c r e s t e d grebe and l i t t l e grebe (825 i n 1975), cormorant (1,000 1 , 5 0 0 ) , flamingo (8,000 10,000 i c 1984), p i c t a i l (1300 i n 1 9 7 2 ) ~s h o v e l e r (6,000 i c 1973), c a t t l e e g r e t , s p o o n b i l l and black-winged s t i l t (IUCN 1987; Carp 1980; H o l l i s 1986).

Rare s p e c i e s i n c l u d e p e r e g r i n e f a l c o n acd s i g n i f i c a r t cumbers of t h e r a r e white-headed duck have been seen on t h e l a k e (44 i n 1975 acd 666 i n 1973). Other b i r d s foucd a t Lake Tunis a r e : Black-necked grebe Grey heror. Greylag goose Shelduck Teal Tufted duck Osprey Marsh h a r r i e r Barbary p a r t r i d g e Lapwing
Little stint

Kentish plover Ringed plover L i t t l e ringed plover Wood sandpiper Black-tailed godwit Ruff Snipe Stone curlew Slender-billed g u l l Black-headed g a l l
Medi t e r r a n e a c g u l l

Swallow Meadow p i p i t Water p i p i t Grey w a g t a i l Blae-headed w a g t a i l White w a g t a i l Great grey s h r i k e Sky l a r k Fan-tailed warbler Chiffchaff
Reed b u c t i n g

Commm sandpiper Curlew sandpiper Redshank Greenshack Dunlin

C.

L i t t l e tern
Sandwich t e r n Gull-billed t e r n Kingfisher Hoopoe

Robin . Linnet Chaffinch Starling Spanish s t a r l i n g

Influences

Although mucicipal law p r o h i b i t s t h e d i s c h a r g e of p o l l u t a n t s i n t o Lake Tunis ( s e e Section 5 . 3 ) , some dumping s t i l l occurs. S t r o n g i n d u s t r i a l p o l l u t i o c i n c e r t a i c zones has decreased, i f not e l i m i c a t e d some of t h e marine fauna ( ~ a u b a d eand Rosso 1983). Waste water was discharged i c t o t h e lake before 1981, but i s now t r e a t e d and c o t r e t a r c s d t o t h e l a k e (IUCN 1987). The choked o a t l e t from t h e sea i s a l s o b e i r g c l e a r e d . P o l l u t a c t s and d i s t u r b a c c e from b o a t s i n t h e r a v i g a t i o c c a r a l a f f e c t t h e

c e n t e r and t h e l a k e edge i s h i g h l y developed. There i s a s a l t p r o c e s s i n g . a r e a near Tunis where a s i z a b l e a r e a h a s been s e c t i o n e d o f f , but i t i s still used by waders and waterfowl. The most s e r i o u s i n f l u e n c e on t h e l a k e i s a development p r o j e c t t h a t has a l r e a d y f i l l e d 900 ha and i s p r o j e c t e d t o f i l l a t l e a s t 1,500 ha f o r a new s e c t i o n of t h e c i t y of Tunis. The p r o j e c t w i l l reduce t h e a r e a a v a i l a b l e t o waterfowland i n c r e a s e d i s t u r b a n c e i n t h e u n f i l l e d p o r t i o n of t h e lake. T h i s development i s occuring i n s p i t e of t h e f a c t t h a t Lake Tunis was designated a P r o t e c t e d Wetland i n 1980 ( s e e S e c t i o n 5.4). 3.3.1.4. Lake Monastir

..

On t h e c o a s t j u s t s o u t h of Monastir and 160 k south of Tunis i s Lake m Monastir. More p r o p e r l y c a l l e d a c o a s t a l lagoon, Lake Monastir i s t h e s i t e of t h e former Monastir s a l t ponds; abandonned i c 1952 ort tier 1977). The lagoon i s formed by a sandy b a r r i e r s p i t t h a t extends f o r 2.5 km a l o n g t h e c o a s t and a f i n a l 0.5 k a r t i f i c i a l rock bank t h a t h a s been m constructed a t t h e s o u t h end t o complete t h e b a r r i e r acd c l o s e o f f a 175 ha water body. Canals a t t h e n o r t h and south ends p r o v i d i communication with t h e sea. Most of t h e lagoon i s l e s s t h a c 2 m deep, b ~ tth e O f f i c e National des Peches ( ~ a t i o n a lF i s h e r i e s o f f i c e ) has dragged channels 2.5 3.5 m deep t o improve f s s h production. The channels allow water t o c i r c u l a t e betweec t h e 2 c a n a l s t o t h e s e a , and i n good weather a c u r r e n t provides p a r t i a l w a t e r replacement every 6 hours.

A.

Vegetation Mortier (1977) d e s c r i b e d 5 zones i n t h e lagoon:

1.

2.

3.
4.

5.
B.

Cymodocea zone. Dense Cymodocea nodosa dominates t h e shallow nons t a g n a n t waters. Caulerpa zone. I n t h e d e e p e r , more t u r b i d and l e s s f r e q u e n t l y recewed w a t e r s and i n p a r t s of t h e c a n a l s t h e more t o l e r a n t Caulerpa p r o l i f e r a grows. Greec f i l a m e n t o u s a l g a e zone. Some p a r t s a t t a i n extreme l e v e l s of temperature and s a l i n i t y d u r i n g p e r i o d s , r e s t r i c t i n g growth of Cymodocea and r e s u l t i n g i n t h e formation of a l g a e mats. Shallow muddy-sand zone. Unvegetated. Deep s t a g n a n t zone. Turbid and unvegetated c a n a l s .

Fauna

L i t t l e i n f o r m a t i o n i s published r e g a r d i n g t h e v e r t e b r a t e fauna of t h e lagoon, but i t i s probably s i m i l a r t o t h e r e s t of t h e c o a s t l i n e of t h e Gulf of Hammamet. Terns, g r e b e s and o t h e r f i s h e a t i n g b i r d s a r e a t t r a c t e d by the f i s h being r a i s e d i n t h e lagoon. Marice Fauna. The marine fauna

o or tier 1977)

i s composed o f :

N e r e i s sp. ( ~ o l y c h e t e ) C e r i i t h i u m vulgatum ( ~ a s t e r o ~ o d ) C l i b a c a r i a s misanthropus " L u c i c i a l a c t e a (pelecypod)

Cmstaceacs Isopods Amphi pods Kaldacid P o l y c h e t e s

Since Lake Monastir i s managed f o r f i e h production, t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l water c o n t r o l s t r u c t u r e s and f k s h t r a p s . Guardians keep o u t o t h e r s o u r c e s of distarbance, s o t h e s i t e i s a s a f e haven f o r many b i r d s .

3.3.1.5.

Monastir S a l t Ponds ( s a l i n e s )

West of Monastir i s t h e lagoon t h a t replaced Lake Monastir a s a s a l t c o l l i x t i o n s i t e . The s i t e i s over 1000 ha, much of which has been sectiored o f f i n t ~ v a p o r a t i o n ponds. The s a l i n e s a r e f u r t h e r i n l a n d than e Lake Mocastir and t h e banks prevent f r e e c i r c u l a t i o n of t h e water.

A.

Vegetatioc

Halocnemum s t r o b i l a c e u m , Arthrocnemum indicum, S a l i c o r n i a sp. and Halopeplis amplexicaulis dominate t h e vegetatkon on t h e shores of t h e s a l i c e s . Poor water c i r c u l a t i o n and high s a l i n i t y prevent v e g e t a t i o n growth i c maay of t h e s e c t i o n s . I n t h e l a r g e , l e s s - s a l t y s e c t i o n s green filarneetom a l g a e mats form. B. Fauca

Mammals. Brown h a r e s i n h a b i t t h e h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n around t h e s a l t pocds acd i t i s p o s s i b l e t h a t red fox and Egyptian mongoose o c c a s i o n a l l y occar there. The range of Shaw's j i r d and G e r b i i l l u s campestris ( g e r b i l ) extecds t o t h i s a r e a and t h e h a b i t a t between t h e s a l t p o n d s and t h e Mocastir a i r p o r t i s f a v o r a b l e f o r those s p e c i e s . Birds. Many s p e c i e s of waterfowl and waders feed i n t h e s a l t ponds sad t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l n e s t i n g s p e c i e s such a s shelduck and l i t t l e t e r n . Most of the s p e c i e s found a l o n g t h e c o a s t of t h e Gulf of Hammamet and t h e Calf of Gabes probably a l s o s t o p a t t h e Monastir s a l t ponds and Lake Mocastir. Species p r e s e n t i n August, 1987 included: L i t t l e grebs Grey heron L i t t l e egret Flamingo ( 1400 ) Spoonbi 1 1 Shelduck Black-winged s t i l t Avocet ( 1000+) C. Icflaecces Oystercatcher Kentish plover Curlew sandpsper Spotted redshank Redshank Greenshank Marsh sandpiper Wood sandpiper Black- t a i l e d godwit Slender-billed g u l l Mediterranean g u l l Herring g u l l Little tern Collared p r a t i n c o l e Spectacled warbler Lesser short-toed l a r k

Water l e v e l manipulation and equipment o p e r a t i o n f o r s a l t production a f f e c t the v e g e t a t i o c and n e s t i n g b i r d s . The a d j a c e n t a i r p o r t causes some d i s t x b a c c e t o t h e b i r d s . Water q u a l i t y i s f a i r l y good s i ~ c e t must be i kept c l e a r f o r a c c e p t a b l e s a l t prodaction. F i s h a r e s e i c e d i c t h e l a r g e r pocds, bat l-r~cticgi s u s a a l l y not allowed.

3.3.1.6.

Thyna S a l t Ponds

J u s t south of S f a x , and 270 k south of Tunis, a r e t h e Thyna s a l t m ponds. The s a l t ponds a r e p a r t of t h e e c o l o g i c a l u n i t of t h e Gulf of Gabes c o a s t , but a r e d e s c r i b e d s e p a r a t e l y here because they a l s o q u a l i f y a s a marine lagoon. The e a s t s i d e of t h e lagoon borders t h e s e a and t h e two a r e only s e p a r a t e d by an embankment. Before t h e embankment was constructed, t h e a r e a was a n k n t e r t i d a l zone. The s a l t ponds a r e continuously being extended toward t h e south. I n 1984 t h e r e were 860 ha sectioned o f f from t h e s e a , although not a l l of i t was in o p e r a t i o n f o r s a l t production (van D i j k 1986). The s a l t ponds a r e shallow (most l e s s than 1 m deep, a l l l e s s t h a n 3 m) with sandy and muddy bottom s u b s t r a t e s .
A.

Vegetation

Sparse h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n (~alocnemum, ~rthrocnemum) occurs a t t h e edges of t h e s a l t ponds, b u t t h e r e i s almost no submergect v e g e t a t i o n i c the ponds. I n t h e l e s s s a l i n e s e c t i o n s t h e r e i s abucdact phytoplankton a ~ d algae.

B.

Fauna

but Mammals. Red fox and sand r a t have been observed (Van D i j k 1 9 8 6 ) ~ they a r e not l i k e l y t o o c c u r i n l a r g e numbers. Birds. The c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o t h e s e a makes Thyna a good high t i d e r e s t i n g place f o r many s p e c i e s of waterfowl and waders and s e v e r a l s p e c i e s a l s o n e s t t h e r e . Most o f t h e b i r d s l i s t e d f o r t h e Gulf of Gabes ( f i g u r e 4 ) cac a l s o be observed a t Thyna. The following s p e c i e s were observed i n August , 1987 : Black-necked grebe Littl* egret Spoonbill Flamingo n Shelduck Oystercatcher Avocet Kentish plover Little stint D~nlin White-winged black t e r n Turnstone Redshank G reenshank Marsh sandpiper Curlew sandpiper B l a c k - t a i l e d godwit Bar- t a i l e d godwi t Curlew Black-winged s t i l t Ruff n = Nesting Birds
C.

Black-headed g u l l Mediterranean g u l l Lesser black back Herring g u l l c Slender-billed g u l l Gall-billed t e r n n Commm t e r n Black t e r n n Little tern Sandwich t e r n

Influences

The ponds were c r e a t e d f o r commercial s a l t p r o d u c t i o c , s o t h e r e i s f r e q a e ~ tmacipulation of w a t e r l e v e l s and equipment o p e r a t i o c . Nests can be flooded o r crashed by t h i s a c t i v i t y , but t h e s a l t ccmpany's g u a r d i a n s p r o t e c t a d u l t b i r d s from poaching and harassment. Ac a d j a c e c t ph3sphate p l a c t acd an o l i v e o i l r e f i n e r y d i s c h a r g e a f f l u e c t s ict3 t h e s e a .

3.3.1.7.

Bahiret e l Bebane ( ~ i b a n e . ~ a g o o n )

Bahiret e l Bibane i s on t h e southeant c o a s t of Tunisia, only 15 k m m from the Libyan border. The lagoon i s approximately 35 k long and has a n a r e a of c.30,000 ha. Large sand b a r s s e p a r a t e t h e lagoon from t h e s e a , but t h e r e i s a s i z a b l e o u t l e t allowtng f r e e interchange of water. The lagoon i s shallow with a sandy bottom over a limestone s u b s t r a t e .
A.

Vegetation

Upland a r e a s around t h e lagoon a r e vegetated by a s s o c i a t i o n s t y p i c a l of the southern S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l Steppe (Section 3.5.3). The edge vegetation i s composed of h a l o p h i l e a s s o c i a t i o n s dominated by: Halocnemum sp. Zygophyllum album Limoniastrum guyonianum Atrfplex s p Juncus s p Lygeum spartum

NS A

N S = North African Sahara Endemic A

The i s l a n d s a t t h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e lagoon a r e r i c h i n n e s t i n g b i r d s (0lney 19651, notably s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of Laridae such a s s l e n d e r - b i l l e d g - d l , caspian t e r n and g u l l - b i l l e d t e r n ( c a r p 1980). Large numbers of migrating b i r d s ( s e e f i g u r e 4 ) pass through o r w i n t e r a t t h e lagoon, i n c l a d i c g t h e threatened w h i t e s t o r k .

Bahiret e l Bibane i s e n c i r c l e d by roads, some of which run along t h e water's edge. Fishing and h u n t i n g i s common a t t h e l a k e , but not a t excessively high l e v e l s .

3.3.2.

Sebkhets and C h o t t s

Sebkhets a r e temporary wetlands, g e n e r a l l y on s a l t y s o i l s , fed by s l i g h t l y t o moderately s a l i n e r u n o f f water. Most sebkhets a r e dry by l a t e summer, but some r e t a i n p a r t o f t h e i r water throughout t h e y e a r . Chotts a r e v a s t d r y d e p r e s s i o n s t h a t were l a k e s i n t h e p l e i s t o c e n e age (?40rgac 1982). They a r e too l a r g e t o be completely f i l l e d with runoff water, but p o r t i o n s c o n t a i n water i n most y e a r s . The fauna and f l o r a of c h o t t s acd sebkhets a r e s i m i l a r , a l t h o u g h t h e c h o t t s have a hkgher percentage of bare, dry ground. Sebkhets and c h o t t s occupy a s i g n i f i c a n t a r e a i n Tunisia (almost 2 m i l l i o n ha) and they p l a y an i m p o r t a n t r o l e in moderating floodwaters, trapping sediments and p r o v i d i n g h a b i t a t f o r a v a r i e t y of fauna. The g r e a t e s t c o n c e n t r a t i o n of s e b k h e t s i s i n t h e Low Steppe region of e a s t e r c Tunisia and near t h e s o u t h e a s t c o a s t a l region. Large c h o t t s form a l i n e a c r o s s south-central T u n i s i a from Gabes t o t h e Algerian border. S a l i c e s o i l s i n t h e s e b k h e t s and c h o t t s r e s t r i c t t h e v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o n s t o s a l t t o l e r a n t s p e c i e s . Dominant s p e c i e s do c o t v a r y g r e a t l y among t h e c h o t t s and s e b k h e t s , although some secondary components vary with s o i l , water and c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n s . A vegetatior. t r a n s e c t from the c e n t e r t o t h e edge of a t y p i c a l sebkhet o r c h o t t i n summer would show t h e following b a s i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c zonation (ORSTOM 1962): Unvegetated c e n t e r w i t h v e r y s a l t y s o i l s
I

o f t e n with s a l t c r u s t

H a l o p e p l i s amplexicaulis
I

Halocnemum strobilaceum
I
I

Arthrocnemm glaucum
I
I

Limoniastrum sp. Salsola cruciata

I

Salsola tetrandra A t r i p l e x halimus or Suaeda f r u t i c o s a

I I

S a l s o l a v e r m i c u l a t a o r Traganum nudatum
A low d i v e r s i t y of dominant v e g e t a t i o n s p e c i e s , most of which a r e h a l o p h i l e s , does not f a v o r d i v e r s e o r abundant sedentary a ~ i m a l populations i n t h e c h o t t s and s e b k h e t s . The temporary c a t u r e of most eebkhets r e s t r i c t s t h e i r u s e a s wetland h a b i t a t during t h e seasons whec they a r e dry. However, d u r i n g t h e seasons when t h e r e i s water, g r e a t numbers of migrating and w i n t e r i n g waders and waterfowl feed and r e s t i n t h e c h o t t s and sebkhets. Waterfowl feed on p l a n t s such a s Potamogeton p e c t i n a t u s and f i l a m e n t o u s a l g a e i n t h e l a r g e r , l e s s s a l i n e s e b k h e t s and on i n v e r t e b r a t e s , t y p i c a l l y Moina r e c t i r o s t r i s ,

While s a l i c e s o i l s do c o t f a v o r a d i v e r s i t y of p l a n t s p e c i e s , they a l s o l i m i t c u l t i v a t i o c . O f t e c sebkhets a r e t h e only u n t i l l e d land i n an a r e a , thus i n c r e a s i n g t h e i r v a l u e a s h a b i t a t f o r fauna. Heavy grazing by l i v e s t o c k occurs a t most c h o t t s and sebkhets, and t h e disturbance and competition f o r p a l a t a b l e p l a n t s r e s t r i c t s t h e numbers of n a t i v e animals. Mammals t h a t could be expected i n t h e vegetated edge zones i n c l u d e jackal, red fox, fennec f o x , k a f f i r c a t , common genet, egyptian mongoose, browc hare, and many s p e c i e s of rodents, notably North African endemics s x h a s Shaw's j i r d and t h e g e r b i l G e r b i l l u s campestria. There a r e more than 3 0 c h o t t s and l a r g e sebkhets and numerous s m a l l e r sebkhets i c Tunisia. Since most of t h e c h o t t s and sebkhets a r e s i m i l a r from a b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y s t a n d p o i n t , t h e following d e s c r i p t i o n s i n c l u d e ocly t h e l a r g e r and more i m p o r t a n t ( t o b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y ) s i t e s . 3.3.2.1. Sebkhet Ariana 36'54'
N

10~15'E

This 2500 he s a l t l a k e i s l o c a t e d about 10 km n o r t h e a s t of Tunis, n e a r Gamarth. I t i s s e p a r a t e d from t h e s e a by l e s s t h a c 500 m of dunes and has v e t e r f o r most of t h e y e a r , but u s u a l l y d r i e s o u t f o r a period i n t h e s . m e r . The sebkhet i s a l a r g e f l a t pan with a sandy bottom and s a l t y water, surrounded by r o l l i c g c u l t i v a t e d h i l l s , eucalyptus p l a n t a t i o n s and developed a r e a s .

Sibkhet Ariaca, i n a s s o c i a t i o n with Lake Tunis and Sebkhet Sedjoums, form a wetland complex t h a t i s very important f o r migrating and w i n t e r i n g wsterfoul ( c a r p 1980). T y p i c a l s p e c i e s include: Shelduck F l a ~ i c g o(hundreds) Craws Avocet B. Inflaences Dunlin Sanderling Sanderling Redshank Black-headed g u l l Herring g u l l Kentish plover

The maic humac i c f l u e n c e s a r e tourism development between t h e sebkhet and the s e a , sewage d i s c h a r g e , g r a z i n g and some shooting. Although t h e sewage adds n u t r i e n t s t o t h e w a t e r , i f chemical wastes were discharged i t coald heve s e v e r e l y d e t r i m e n t a l e f f e c t s on t h e f l o r a and fauna. 3.3.2.2. Sebkhet Sedjouml 36'48'

1 0 ~ 1 2 'E

Or t h e s o . ~ t h w e s tedge of T u c i s , t h i s 2700 ha sebkhet i s only 2 k from m Sedjoami d r i e s up i c Augqast and September of some y e a r s ; Lake !xis. daricg the o t h e r mocths i t has water averaging l e s s than 1 m deep. The shallov water c r e a t e s i d e a l c o n d i t i o c s f o r p l a c t s sgch a s Potamogetoc f i l i f o r m i s , filamectous a l g a e and Ecteromorpha P o t t i e r - b l a p e t i t e 1979).

A.

Fauna

Ic the south and west p a r t s o f t h e l a k e t h e r e a r e about 40 i s l a n d s varying i c s i z e from s e v e r a l s q u a r e meters t o s e v e r a l h e c t a r e s . The i s l a n d s a r e used f o r n e s t i n g s i t e s by thousands of avocets and hundreds of black-winged s t i l t s , making t h e s e b k h e t of n a t i o n a l importance organ 1982). Sed joumi i s o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance f o r i t s overwintering waterfowl ( r e g u l a r l y s u p p o r t s more t h a n 10,000) based on t h e Hesligenhafen c r i t e r i a (Annex 4 ) . Shelduck ( 4 , 0 0 0 ) . p i n t a i l (16,000) and s h o v e l e r (5,700) occur i n l a r g e numbers i n w i n t e r . Flamingos o c c a s i o n a l l y n e s t on t h e i s l a n d s and up t o 50,000 have been observed in t h e l a k e organ 1982). The importance o f t h e s i t e t o flamingos i s s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n c r e a s e d when t h e sebkhets and c h o t t s t o t h e s o u t h dry up. Other b i r d s recorded organ 1982, Carp 1980, Van D i jk 1986) i n c l u d e :
Black-necked grebe Cattle egret Lapwing Grey plover D~rlic Little stint Redshar-k Curlew sandpiper Marsh sandpiper Wood sandpiper Ruff Snkpe Quail L i t t l e owl Crag m a r t i n Skylark Water p i p i t Meadow p f p i t Grey w a g t a i l Robin Blackbird Song t h r u s h Fan- t a i l e d w a r b l e r Chif f c h a f f Greenfinch Goldfinch Chaffinch Corn bunting

B.

Irfluences Humar i n f l u e n c e s i n c l u d e h u n t i n g , sewage d i s c h a rge, encroachment by c o c s t r d c t i o r p r o j e c t s and a l a r g e rubbish dump, g r a z i n g , and d i s t u r b a n c e caused by t r a f f i c on t h e a d j a c e n t roads. Encroachment i s an e s p e c i a l l y d e t r i m e r t a l i c f l u e n c e , s i n c e i t reduces t h e e f f e c t i v e h a b i t a t a r e a of t h e sebkhet. 3 . 3 2 . Sebkhet Kourzia

Located 10 k northwest of l e Fahs and 55 km soathwest o f ' T u n i s , m Kourzia has an a r e a of o v e r 1000 ha. The surrounding t e r r a i n i s low, c u l t i v a t e d h i l l s t h a t d r a i n i n t o Kourzia. Water remakns f o r most of t h e y e a r , but d r i e s i n t h e summer, l e a v i n g a s a l t c r u s t . There i s an eroded edge bar-k about 2 m h i g h , and t h e bottom i s clayey sand.
A.

Fauna

A v a r i e t y of ducks and waders feed on t h e t h e i n v e r t e b r a t e Artemka sp. 1982). The s i t e i s used by enough waterfowl t o meet H e i l i g e n h a f e n c r i t e r i a f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance. I n some y e a r s g r e a t numbers of flamirgos (up t o 22,000) have beec recorded. Other s p e c i e s i n c l u d e :

orga gar

Shelduck Pirtail Avocet

Ruff Woodcock Qaail

Eagle owl Kestrel Merlin

Crested l a r k Great grey s h r i k e

B.

Icfluences

Humac i n f l u e n c e s i n c l u d e h u n t i n g and c u l t i v a t i o n t o w i t h i n 5 m of t h e w a t e r l i n e , which l e a v e s o n l y a narrow band o f v e g e t a t i o n . The ecosystem would be s e n s i t i v e t o heavy c o n c e n t r a t i o c s of f e r t i l i z e r s o r p e s t i c i d e s i n t h e r a n o f f w a t e r from f a r m l a n d s i f l a r g e s c a l e chemical u s e was i n i t i a t e d . 3 . 2 4 Sebkhet Kelbia

35'50'

1017' E

Kelbia i s l o c a t e d a t t h e edge o f t h e Low S t e p p e s , 20 km n o r t h e a s t of Kairouac and 3 0 k west o f Sousse. I t h a s an area of 13,000 ha and a m maximum d e p t h o f 2.52m. Three i n t e r m i t t e n t r i v e r s d r a i n t h e a d j a c e n t watershed (15,000 k ) i n t o K e l b i a m t h e Nebhana, M e r g u e l l i l and Zeroud. Before t h e r i v e r s were dammed, t h e y f l o o d e d a f t e r heavy r a i n s , c a u s i n g e r o s i o r and r e s u l t i n g i n a d e l t a o f s i l t d e p o s i t e d a t t h e s o u t h end of t h e l a k e ( ~ o r ~ 1982). During t h e summer t h e l a k e o c c a s i o n a l l y d r i e s , a c l e a v i n g a l i g h t s a l t c r u s t on t h e bottom. Water s a l i n i t y v a r i e s from 1 g / l i c t h e s p r i n g t o s a t u r a t i o n a s t h e l a k e d r i e s ( ~ a o u a l i1976).

A.

Vegetatioc

Alocg w i t h t h e h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o c t y p i c a l of sebkhas, t h e r e a r e bands of t a m a r i s k a l o n g t h e edge and emergents such a s c a t t a i l s Typha a n g u s t i f o l i a , reed P h r a g m i t e s communis and S c i r p u s l a c u s t r i s c o v e r i n g a b o u t 10% of t h e edge. When t h e r e i s w a t e r i n K e l b s a , a dense p r a i r i e o f Z a c i c h e l l a p a l u s t r i s c o v e r s a b o a t 9% o f t h e bottom and dominates over Potamogetoc p e c t i c a t u s and T o l y p e l l a ( ~ a o a a l i1976, Morgac 1982). A f l o a t i n g mass of Spyrogyra o f t e n forms d u r i n g t h e s p r i n g . B. Fauca Z a o a a l i (1 976 ) acd Morgan (1 982) r e p o r t e d s e v e r a l s p e c s e s of fauna:

Z O O D ~ ~ ~ ~ O R : Arctiodiaptomus w i e r z e j s k i i Dapcia a t k i c s i
Irvertebrates: Cymatia b o c s d o r f f i Micronecta s p . I l y o c o r i s sp. Sigara sp. S. d o r s a l i s

Dapcia rnagna Diacyclops c r a s s i c a u d i s P l e a sp. Berosus s p . Palaemonetes v a r i a n s ( c r u s t a c e a n ) Gyrinus s p .

Palaemonetes and t h e i n s e c t s a r e a d a p t e d i n such a manner t h a t a f t e r d r y p e r i o d s t h e y can r e c o l o n i z e K e l b i a from n e a r b y w a t e r bodses. The zooplankton h a s r e s i s t a n t eggs. I n former times, b e f o r e t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e dams, up t o 8 2 m e t r i c t o n s of f i s h have been t a k e n from K e l b i a by commercial fishermen. F i s h species include: Fucdalus h i s p a c i c u s Barbus b a r b a s h g i l cephal-JS Y. ramada Cambus3a a f f i x i s Cypricus c a r p i o Anguilla a ~ g u i l l a

B i r d s . Two r a r e s p e c i e s o f duck have n e s t e d a t K e l b i a i n t h e p a s t , marbled t e a l and white-headed duck organ 1982). K e l b i a meets Heiligenhafen c r i t e r i a ( ~ n n e x4 ) f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance based on t h e h i g h n m b e r of w i n t e r i c g w a t e r f o w l ( c a r p 1980). Some of t h e many b i r d s p e c i e s recorded f o r K e l b i a (Olney 1965, Morgan 1982, Carp 1 9 8 0 ) a r e : n Squacco heron Flamingo ( 7 , 0 0 0 ) n Shelduck ( u p t o 1800) Wigeon (30,000) P i c t a i l (14,000) S h o v e l e r (10,600) Moorhen Purple gallinule Coot Great grey shrike Black-winged s t i l t Black-eared w h e a t e a r Cream c o l o r e d c o u r s e r Black-bellied sandgrouse Crane L i t t l e owl Hoopoe Crested l a r k Kentish plover Desert wheatear Bee-eater

n = Nesting B i r d s
C.

Icflaences

Kelbla h a s beer, d e s c r i b e d a s "ur,ique i n t h e Maghreb and probably i n t h e whole of North A f r i c a " and o f o u t s t a n d i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l i m p o r t a n c e ( ~ o r ~ a 1982). A f t e r Lake I c h k e u l and t h e Gulf of Gabes, i t i s p r o b a b l y r, t h e t h i r d most i m p o r t a c t w e t l a n d i n T u n i s i a . I t i s one o f t h e l e a s t s a l i n e l a r g e w a t e r b o d i e s i n T u n i s i a and s u p p o r t s a v a r i e t y o f f a u n a and f l o r a . Before t h e 3 r i v e r s were dammed ( c o n s t r u c t i o n began or, t h e Oued Zeroad dam i n 1978) t h e l a k e a l m o s t n e v e r , o r r a r e l y d r i e d o u t (Olney 1965, Radford acd P e t e r k e r 1 9 6 9 ) . S i n c e t h e damming of t h e r i v e r s , d e s s i c a r i o n i s much more f r e q u e n t and t h e e f f e c t s on t h e f l o r a and f a u n a have b e e r d e t r i m e c t a l . Th? ecosystem i s s e c s i t i v e t o l o n g o r f r e q u e n t perfods o f d e s s i c a t i o n and a program f o r r e g u l a t e d w a t e r r e l e a s e from t h e dams would be b e n e f i c i a l . Hur,tir,g and egg c o l l e c t i o n a r e two o t h e r i n f l u e n c e s on t h e K e l b i a ? c o s y s t e n t h a t s h o u l d be c o n t r o l l e d . 3.3.2.5. Sebkhet S i d i e l Hani 35'31' N 1 0 ~ 2 7 'E

Figure-8 shaped S i d i e l Hani i s oce o f t h e l a r g e s t (36,000 h a ) s a l t l a k e s t o be c a l l e d a s e b k h e t i n s t e a d o f a c h o t t and t h e t h i r d l a r g e s t s a l t l a k e i c T u n i s i a . The l a k e i s l o c a t e d 25 km s o u t h w e s t of Sousse and 20 km E-SE o f Kairouan. I t i s o f t e n d r y i n summer, b u t o c c a s i o n a l l y r e t a i n s w a t e r f o r more t h a n a y e a r . S a l i n i t y i s v e r y hkgh and s a l t c r y s t a l s sometimes remain on t h e s a b s t r a t e even when t h e r e i s w a t e r i n t h e l a k e orga gar, 1982 )

A.

Vegetatioc

The h i g h s a l i n i t y r e s t r i c t s v e g e t a t i o n growth i n and around t h e l a k e , r e s a l t i c g i c l a r g ? m u d f l a t s a t t h e s o a t h end. On some o f t h e f r e s h e r edges, t h e r a r i p l a c t P o t e c t i l l a s ~ p i n agrows.

B.

Fauna

There a r e s e v e r a l i s l a n d s t h a t provide n e s t f n g h a b i t a t , e s p e c i a l l y f o r flamingos. I n 1972, c. 10,000 flamingos were recorded breeding a t S i d i e l Haci ( c a r p 1980). Lesser numbers breed t h e r e f a i r l y r e g u l a r l y , making t h e s i t e of i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance. The frequency of nestkng may have decreased i n recent years. Excessive s a l t a l s o r e s t r i c t s t h e i n v e r t e b r a t e fauna and t h e r e f o r e bird use i s lower than t h a t of o t h e r aebkhets, such a s Kelbia. A v a r i e t y of waders pass through on migration and permanent r e s i d e n t s of t h e adjacent a r e a include palm dove, g r e a t grey s h r i k e , fulvous babbler, l e s s e r short-toed l a r k and c r e s t e d l a r k . C. Icflaences

Human i n f l u e n c e s include c u l t i v a t i o n c l o s e t o the edge of t h e l a k e and some egg c o l l e c t i n g by l o c a l v i l l a g e r s ( c a r p 1980). The ecosystem would be s e c s i t i v e t o a l t e r a t i o n s i n t h e watershed feeding the lake. 3.3.2.6. Sebkhet E l Djem

Twelve kilometers south of t h e c i t y of E l Djem, 50 k north of Sfax, m and 20 k west of t h e s e a , i s t h e 3,000 ha Sebkhet E l Djem. Water depths m reach 3 4 m when t h e l a k e i s f u l l , but i t i s f r e q u e n t l y dry i n summer. The s - ~ r r o u n d i c g region i s r o l l i n g h i l l s , c u l t i v a t e d t o c e r e a l s and o l i v e s .

A.

Vegetation

The south shore i s f a i r l y s t e e p and t h e r e i s only a narrow band of halophile vegetation. O t h e n o r t h s i d e t h e h a l o p h i l e s extend f o r 100 n 300 m over the gently s l o p i n g t e r r a i c .

There a r e s e v e r a l small i s l a n d s and 2 l a r g e r i s l a n d s t h a t provide nesting cover f o r black-winged s t i l t s , flamingos and avocets. which but cested t h e r e ic the e a r l y 1 9 7 0 ~ ~ may no longer breed t h e r e r e g u l a r l y (M. Smart, pers. comm.). Other b i r d s reported f o r Sebkhet E l Djem ( c a r p 1980, Morgan 1982, Van D i jk 1986) include: Pochard (over 10,000) Coot (33,000) White-headed duck (349) Collared p r a t i n c o l e Cream colored courser Slecder-billed g u l l Cull-billed t e r n Lesser short-toed l a r k Little stint Kentish plover Hoopoe Swallow Crane Rock dove Palm dove Great grey s h r i k e Blackbird Song thrush Fulvous babbler Short-toed l a r k Chaffinch Starlicg

tn c
c c

n = Nesticg Bsrds t = Threatened Species

The high numbers .of pochard and c o o t make t h e s i t e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y i m p o r t a n t and i t i s a q u a l i t y example o f a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e sebkhet (Morgan 1982). C. Influences

.Human i n f l u e n c e s on t h e ecosystem i n c l u d e c u l t i v a t i o n o f t h e a d j a c e n t a r e a and encroachment i n t o t h e edge v e g e t a t i o n . Egg c o l l e c t i o n h a s occured i n p a s t y e a r s ( c a r p 1980). 3.3.2.7. Sebkhets S i d i Mansour and En Noual 34O15'-25*

g039*-58' E

m En Noual i s 20 km west o f t h e c o a s t , 6 0 k northwest o f Gabes and 11,000 ha i n s i z e . S s d i Mansour i s 5 0 k west of t h e c o a s t , 70 k m m northwest of Gabes and 3,000 ha i n s i z e . Both a r e s h a l l o w (maximum d e p t h 1.5 m) w i t h low s a l i n i t y l e v e l s .
A.

Vegetatioc

Large d e c s e l y v e g e t a t e d a r e a s surround t h e s e b k h e t s , which f r e q u e n t l y d r y our i n summer. I n t e r s p e r s e d i n t h e t y p i c a l sebkhet t y p e h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n a r e Tamarix sp.and s p e c i e s common t o t h e s u r r o u n d i n g s t e p p e s , such a s Rhantherium s u a v e o l e n s and A r t e m i s i a c a m p e s t r i s B. Fauna

The dense v e g e t a t i o n p r o v s d e s e x c e l l e n t c o v e r f o r g e r b i l s , Shaw's j i r d , brown h a r e , red f o x , and d o r c a s g a z e l l e s . G r e a t numbers o f waders v i s i t t h e s e b k h e t s . An e x c e p t i o n a l 7 5 , 0 0 0 flamsngos were recorded i n 1971 ( c a r p 1980) and t h e y o c c a s i o n a l l y a t t e m p t t o n e s t a t S i d l Macsour ( 0 l n e y 1965). Other b i r d s i n c l u d e : Black-necked g r e b e Teal Shoveler Pochard t White-headed duck Mallard t Marbled t e a l Crane Little stint Avocet Pratincole Long-legged buzzard Swallow Crested l a r k Scrub w a r b l e r D e s e r t wheatear Mourning w h e a t e a r Red-rumped wheatear White w a g t a i l Hoopoe l a r k

t
C.

Threatened S p e c i e s

Influences

Human i n f l u e n c e s a r e widespread a t t h e s e s e b k h e t s . The d r y e a s t e r n ends a r e sometimes c u l t i v a t e d t o c e r e a l s , v e g e t a t i o c i s c u t and g a t h e r e d f o r f u e l and f o d d e r , g r a z i n g i s e x c e s s i v e , and egg c o l l e c t i o n h a s r u i n e d a t l e a s t oce n e s t i n g a t t e m p t by f l a m i n g o s ( c a r p 1980). H u n t i r g and poachlcg ( b i r d s acd mammals) a r e a l s o v e r y common.

3.3.2.8.

M n o r Sebkhets o f t h e Low Steppea

h e t o t h e f l a t topography and t h e r u n o f f from t h e a d j a c e n t mountains, t h e Low Steppes a r e s p o t t e d w i t h aebkhets. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h o s e a l r e a d y described ( ~ e l b i a ,S i d i e l Hani, E l Djem, S i d i Mansour, En ~ o u a l )t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l o t h e r l e s s i m p o r t a n t e e b k h e t s worth mentioning. Sebkhet Mokrine i s about 35 km s o u t h e a s t of Sousse and i a less t h a n 5 km from t h e c o a s t . Usually d r y i n t h e summer and n o t v e r y f u l l i n t h e w i n t e r , Moknkne o f f e r s a s a f e haven f o r b i r d s m i g r a t i n g down t h e c o a s t . Sebkhet Menzel m Dar Elel Ouar i s 20 k S-SW of Enfida. It i s a r e l a t t v e l y s a l t y l a k e , d r y i n s*mmer, b u t used by m i g r a t i n g b i r d s i n w i n t e r . Sebkhets Ech C h e r i t a , E l Gherra, Mecheguig E l Bahira and Menzel Chaker a r e a l l s i m i l a r temporary s a l t l a k e s southwest of Sousse, northwest o f Sfax acd e a s t of S b e i t l a . These and many o t h e r s m a l l s e b k h e t s enhance t h e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y of t h e r e g i o n by i n c r e a s i n g t h e i n t e r s p e r s i o n o f h a b i t a t t y p e s and p r o v i d i n g c o v e r i n h e a v i l y c u l t i v a t e d a r e a s . Soath of Chebba and a few hundred m e t e r s i n from t h e c o a s t i s Sebkhet Baradaa. The main s t a n d i n g w a t e r body is a b o u t 40 ha and t h e s u r r o u n d i n g h a l o p h i l c v e g e t a t e d f l o o d p l a i n i s c.500 ha. Close proximity t o t h e s e a makes t h e w e t l a ~ da t t r a c t i v e t o waterfowl and waders m i g r a t i n g a l o n g t h e c o a s t . Some b i r d s , such a s b l a c k t e r n s , a l s o n e s t t h e r e . Aboat 20 k n o r t h of Kairouan and j u s t s o u t h of t h e town of Metbasta m i s a v a s t v e g e t a t e d f l o o d p l a i n . R e l a t i v e l y low s a l i n i t y makes t h i s wetlacd n o r e of a temporary f r e s h w a t e r l a k e t h a n a sebkhet and t h e r e f o r e t h e l o c a l p o p u l a t i o c c a l l s i t Lake Metbasta. Although i t only h o l d s w a t e r f o r a s h o r t period d u r i n g and a f t e r t h e w i n t e r r a i n s , t h e v a s t e x t e n s i o n of t h e f l o o d p l a i n makes i t a v a l u a b l e s i t e f o r m i g r a t i n g waterfowl and waders, r e s t i n g s e d e n t a r y b i r d s ( i n c l u d i n g t h e t h r e a t e n e d houbara b u s t a r d ) acd mannals. 3 . 3 2 . J e f f a r a Complex

A t t h e Libyac b o r d e r i s a complex of s a l t l a k e s and s a l i n e r i v e r beds c o v e r i ~ gover 160.000 ha on t h e T u n i s i a n s i d e . The complex i n c l u d e s l a r g e c o a s t a l s a l t l a k e s by B a h i r e t e l Sebkhet e l Melah and Bou Djemel Bibane; Sebkhet Tader, which e x t e n d s i n l a n d 70 k a l o n g t h e b o r d e r ; m Sebkhet O m e l K r i a l a t e ; Garaet Djedid; Sebkhet Areg e l Makriene; and u Garaet ez Zets. Although t h e complex i s d r y f o r most of t h e y e a r i t provides important d i v e r s i t y i n t h e h a b i t a t s of animals such a s d o r c a s g a z e l l e s , b r o m h a r e s and houbara b u s t a r d s . I t is a l s o a p o t e n t i a l l y valuable r e s t s t o p f o r migrating birds. R e l a t i v e l y l i t t l e research h a s b e e r d o ~ e t h e complex and f u r t h e r s t u d y i s needed. on

3.3.2.10.

Sebkhet E l G u e t t a r

m Sebkhet E l G z e t t a r , a l s o c a l l e d Chott E l G u e t t a r , i s 1 5 k s o u t h e a s t of Gafsa and 120 k northwest of Gabes. S i n c e t h e l a k e i s i n a c a r i d m r c g i o c , i t d r i e s e a r l y i c t h e summer and sometimes remains d r y throughout t h e year. The s a l t l a k e c o v e r s 7 , 4 0 0 h a , w i t h an a d d i t i o n a l 5,000 ha Of h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o c . There a r e 2 o t h e r s m a l l e r s e b k h e t s 10 a ~ d k 25 m r o r t h w e s t of Gabes c o v e r i c g about 4,000 ha each.

A.

Fauna

Whet t h e r e i s water, t h e eebkhet r e c e i v e s heavy seasonal use by migrating waterfowl, waders and o t h e r b i r d s . Slender-billed g u l l s and black-winged s t i l t s have been recorded breeding organ 1982) and t h e threatened houbara bustard i s o c c a s i o n a l l y observed in t h e h a l o p h i l e vegetation. There i s a l s o a r e s i d e n t population of r e p t k l e s , rodents ( g e r b i l s , j i r d s ) , brown h a r e , red fox and jackal.

B.

Influences

Grazing and v e g e t a t i o n g a t h e r i n g occur throughout t h e a r e a , b u t t h e edge zone i s s o l a r g e ' t h a t adequate cover u s u a l l y remains f o r fauna. Hunting and poaching a r e probably t h e most d e t r i m e n t a l human i n f l u e n c e s . E 3.3.2.11. Sebkhet E l Hamma 33'58' N 9'57' The system of c h o t t s t h a t form a b e l t through t h e c e n t e r of T u c i s i a m begins t e a r t h e Mediterranean c o a s t with Sebkhet El Hamma, 25 k W-NW of Gabes. Separated from Chott F e j i j t o t h e west by a s l i g h t r i d g e , Sebkhet E l Harnma i s c.5.000 h ~ i n a r e a . I t i s o f t e n dry f o r many y e a r s , except a t t h e s i t e of a h o t (70 C ) s p r i n g a t t h e southern end o organ 1982).
A.

Fauca

The hot s p r i n g i s t h e only known h a b i t a t of a small blind crustacean Thermosbaena m i r a b i l i s ( c a r p 1980). When t h e r e i s water i n t h e r e s t of t h e sebkhet, thousands of flamingos and pochards and hundreds of wigeons, shovelers and o t h e r waterfowl and waders use t h e lake.

B.

Inflaences

Grazing, v e g e t a t i o n g a t h e r i n g , poaching and c u l t i v a t i o n of t h e adjacent a r e a a r e having an u n q u a n t i f i e d impact on t h e sebkhet. 3.3.2.12. Chott F e j i j 33'55'

g010' E

Extending west from Sebkhet E l Hamma i s t h e 570,000 ha Chott F e j i j . Often dry f o r over a y e a r , when t h e r e i s water i t i s brackish t o f r e s h ( c a r p 1980). Water remains l o n g e s t i n f o u r depressions along t h e c h o t t and u s u a l l y covers less than 10% of t h e t o t a l a r e a organ 1982).
A.

Vegetation

Alocg with t h e t y p i c a l h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n , t h e margtns support Tamarix sp. and sedges Carex ap.

B.

Fauca

I n v e r t e b r a t e s i c c l u d e low d e n s i t i e s of Artemia sp. ( t y p i c a l of c h o t t s ) , D h r i a c a r i n a t a , D y t i s c i d a e and Corixidae. Flamicgos n e s t a occasior.a*OOO p a i r s i n 1974) and l a r g e numbers of ducks (pochard, shoveler, shelduck) s p o r a d i c a l l y w i n t e r a t t h e c h o t t .

C.

Influences I n f l u e n c e s i n c l u d e g r a z i n g , c u l t i v a t i o n and development.

3.3.2.13.

Chott J e r i d

West o f , and connected t o , C h o t t F e j i j i s t h e l a r g e s t c h o t t o f t h e Uaghreb, C h o t t J e r i d , which c o v e r s c.700,000 ha. The huge a r e a ks never completely i n u n d a t e d , even i n wet y e a r s o n l y 5% of t h e c h o t t i s covered by water. S t a n d i n g w a t e r o c c u r s s p o r a d i c a l l y i n t h e c h o t t , depending on where t h e r a i n s f a l l , and movement due t o t h e winds i s common. The most f r e q u e n t l y inundated s i t e i s l o c a t e d j u s t t o t h e west of c e n t e r organ 1982). Water i n t h e c h o t t i s b r a c k i s h t o s a l t y and l e a v e s s a l t d e p o s i t s a f t e r evaporation.

S p a r s e i c v e r t e b r a t e s i n c l u d e Artemsa s p . , a D y t i s c i d a e and a C o r i x i d a e 1982). N e s t i n g flamingoip a i r s ) were recorded i n 1959 ( c a r p 1980) and some waders may r e s t a t D j e r i d d u r i n g m i g r a t i o n (Olney 19651, b u t i t i s c o t a s i t e of prime importance f o r b i r d s . Threatened houbara b u s t a r d s c e s t ix t h e a r e a .

orga gar.

B.

Icfluecces

Grazing, v e g e t a t s o n c o l l e c t i o c , c u l t i v a t i o n acd manipulation of ucdergroand w a t e r r e s e r v e s f o r i r r i g a t i o c a l l a f f e c t t h e c h o t t . 3.3.2.14. C h o t t E l Gharsa t o t h e n o r t h w e s t of C h o t t J e r i d and d i s t i c c t l y Chott E l Gharsa i s cocnected t o t h e b e l t of c h o t t s i c t o A l g e r i a . Covering c.60,000 h a , t h e c h o t t h a s a 7 m below s e a l e v e l . E l Gharsa i s s i m i l a r t o t h e o t h e r w a t e r regime, f l o r a , f a u n a and i c f l u e n c e s .

Tee k i l o m e t e r s s e p a r a t e d from i t , e x t e c d i c g westward c e c t e r a l t i t u d e of c h o t t s i c terms of 3.3.2.15.

A r t i f f c s a l Lakes Near K e b s l i

33O37' N

8O53' E

Near t h e s o u t h e a s t edge of Chott J e r i d , 15 k southwest of K e b i l i , i s m a s e r i e s of s m a l l b r a c k i s h l a k e s a v e r a g i n g a few hundred h e c t a r e s i n s i z e . Lakes Nouiel, Graad, T a f f a y a , Menchia and F a t n a s s a a r e fed by e x c e s s i r r i g a t i o c w a t e r from t h e a d j a c e c t o a s e s and t h e r e f o r e a r e l e s s s a l s n e t h a c n o s t s e b k h e t s and a r e a l m o s t n e v e r c o m p l e t e l y dry.

The l a k e s a r e a t t r a c t i v e t o m i g r a t i c g w a t e r f o w l acd waders, e s p e c i a l l y s i n c e they a r e some of t h e l a s t w e t l a c d s b e f o r e t h e b i r d s c r o s s t h e Sahara, acd t h e f i r s t o c e s they r e a c h whec t h e y r e t u r c . Mary b i r d s a l s o

winter there. include: Flamingo Moorhen B. Influences

Waterfowl observed i n January 1986 (Smeti, pere. comm.) Teal Pintail Shoveler Wigeon Gadwall Mallard

Waterfowl a r e hunted a t t h e l a k e s each y e a r , but not a t e x c e s s i v e l e v e l s (about 10 h u n t e r s a n n u a l l y ) . The edge v e g e t a t i o n i s h e a v i l y grazed by l i v e s t o c k .

3.3.3.

R i v e r s and R e s e r v o i r s

Permanect r i v e r s o c l y e x i s t i n t h e n o r t h , but t h e r e a r e i n t e r m i t t e n t r i v e r s acd streams s c a t t e r e d throughout T u n i s i a . A l l major r i v e r s and macy of t h e s m a l l e r , i c t e r m i t t e n t r i v e r s have a t l e a s t one dam, c o r s t r u c t e d t o conserve water f o r i r r i g a t i o n o r domestic use and t o reduce flood damage. A c a t a ~ t r o p h i c ~ f l o oi d 1969 eroded 260 m i l l i o n t o n s o f s o i l n m where normally 5 m i l l i o n t o n s a r e l o s t from a watershed of 8,577 k annaally pi rant 1980). The f l o o d a l s o changed t h e watercourses of s e v e r a l streams and destroyed many b r i d g e s , roads and b u i l d i n g s . That d e s t r u c t i v e flood s p ~ r r e dt h e T u n i s i a n government i n t o i n c r e a s i n g i t s dam constructkon program. Due t o t h e dams and t h e long dry season, a l a r g e p r o p o r t i o n of t h e s u r f a c e water e v a p o r a t e s b e f o r e i t i s used f o r i r r i g a t i o n o r reaches t h e sea. The high a n c u a l e v a p o r a t i o n r a t e 1400 mrn i n t h e n o r t h t o 3000 mm i n t h e south r rant 1980) r e s u l t s i n t h e d e s s i c a t i o n of many r i v e r s and some of t h e s m a l l e r r e s e r v o i r s .

Typical v e g e t a t i o n a l o n g r i v e r s and r e s e r v o i r s of t h e n o r t h i n c l u d e s planted a c a c i a and e u c a l y p t u s and: Tamarix s p Carex s p Juncus Nephron oleander Phragmk t e s communis Rubus ulrnkfolius

I n southern watersheds t h e s a l i n e s o i l r e s u l t s i n moderately h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n . Submergent v e g e t a t i o n i s uncommon due t o t h e t u r b i d i t y and s e a s o c a l i t y of waterflow kn t h e r i v e r s and t h e depth of t h e r e s e r v o i r s . T u c i s i a n r i v e r s a r e poor t n f i s h s p e c i e s dkverskty ( ~ r a i e m1983). There a r e only 12 s p e c i e s , of which 8 a r e n a t i v e and 4 a r e introduced. Fish of t h e n o r t h e r c and c e n t r a l r i v e r s and r e s e r v o f r s a r e i n t h e genera: Aphianus, Gambusia, Barbus and Pseudophoximus. Rivers provide important h a b i t a t f o r l o c a l p o p u l a t i o n s of b i r d s and mammals. Although t h e depth and r e s u l t i n g l a c k of supmergent vegetatTon makes most r e s e r v o i r s poor h a b i t a t , s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of waterfowl and waders a s e t h e l a r g e f r e s h w a t e r bodies a s m i g r a t i o c rest s t o p s . The t h r e a t e c e d white-headed duck u s e s t h e Besbesia dam r e s e r v o i r between Tunis acd B i z e r t e , and g r e a t c r e s t e d grebes and some ducks breed a t t h e Gdir e l Ghoal ponds jast o u t s i d e of Tunis.

The b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y o f T u n i s i a ' s r i v e r s h a s r e c e i v e d s c a n t a t t e c t i o c i n t h e p a s t and a d d i t i o n a l s t u d i e s a r e needed. The two major permaner.t r i v e r s a r e t h e Medjerda acd t h e M i l i a n e , d e s c r i b e d b e l ~ w .

3.3.3.1.

Oued Medjerda

Oued Medjerda i s t h e l a r g e s t r i v e r i n T u n i s i a . I t o r i g i n a t e s i n A l g e r i a , e c t e r s T u n i s i a n e a r Ghardimaou and f l o w s i n t o t h e Medfterranean s e a s o u t h o f 2 P o r t o F a r i n a . The r 2 v e r i s 460 km l o n g and h a s a watershed of 23,000 km , of which 1 5 , 0 0 0 k m i) i n T u n i s i a (Andren aed Salem 1978). 1500 m /second, which f l u c t u a t e s g r e a t l y The meac r a t e o f flow i s 30 85% of i t s d i s c h a r g e i s i n f l o o d w a t e r s rant .1980). s i n c e 30

Oued Medjerda h a s been a l t e r e d s u b s t a n t i a l l y by w a t e r c o n t r o l p r o j e c t s and 80%of i t s w a t e r i s now r e t a i n e d . The w a t e r c o u r s e h a s been c h a c c e l i z e d i c s e v e r a l l o c a t i o n s , a l a r g e cemect l i n e d c a n a l h a s beec c r e a t e d t o b r i c g w a t e r t o Cap Boc, and s e v e r a l dams have beec c o n s t r u c t e d a l o ~ g h e r i v e r acd i t s t r k b u t a r i e s . t The l a r g e s t r e s e r v o i r i c North A f r i c a h a s b e e r c r e a t e d by t h e S i d i Salem daz n e a r Beja. A t maximum w a t e r l e v e l s c . 4 , 6 0 0 ha a r e i c u n d a t e d by t h e r e s e r v o i r . S o i l s i c t h e a r e a a r e v e r y e r o d i b l e ; massive l a n d s l i d e s have d..nped l a r g e q u a c t i t i e s o f e a r t h i n t o t h e r e s e r v o i r and upstream e r o s i o c h a s r e s u l t e d i n a f a s t s e d i m e c t a t i o n r a t e . The dam i s r e l a t i v e l y new, s o t h e s a r r o u c d i n g v e g e t a t i o c h a s n o t succeeded t o r i p a r i a c a s s o c i a t i o c s . G r a z i c g and c u l t i v a t i o n t o t h e edge of t h e r e s e r v o i r i n s o n s l o c a t i o c s i s a l s o s l o v i c g t h e s a c c e s s i o c p r o c e s s and i c c r e a s i n g e r o s i o c . Although t h e r e s e r v o i r i s f i l l i n g i c f a s t , i t i s t o o deep t o p r o v i d e optinur. w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t . B i r d s o f i c t e r e s t n o t e d i c September of 1987 i ~ c l * ~ g re a t c r e s t e d g r e b e , k e c t i s h p l o v e r and marsh h a r r i e r . d e There a r e a l s o mary dams o r t h e 1 2 t r i b u t a r i e s t o Oued Medjerda. The Korth of Le Kef i s t h e Oued Mellegue dam, c o c s t r u c t e d i c 1946-54. maximum a r e a o f t h e r e s e r v o i r i s 1000 h a , which i s i m p o r t a c t i r a r e g i o c w i t h few c a t u r a l w e t l a n d s . The r e s e r v o i r h a s many coves acd a v e r y i r r e g u l a r coastline. Drastic water f l . ~ c t . ~ a t i o e s have r c s . ~ l t e di c l i t t l e submergcct o r edge v e g e t a t i o c . M i g r a t i n g t e a l , wigeoc, m a l l a r d s and waders u s e t h e r e s e r v o i r a s a r e s t s t o p . A v a r i e t y of game b i r d s , p a s s e r i c e s and m a ~ m a l so c c u r on t h e a d j a c e c t l a n d . 3.3.3.2. Oued Milkane

Oued M i l i a c e d i s c h a r g e s i n t o T e Gulf of T u c i s j u s t s o u t h of t h e c i t y of T ~ c i s . A watershed o f 2,000 km d r a i n s i n t o t h e r i v e r , which c a r r i e s a c a n c u a l v o l m e o f 6 m i l l i o n m3 o f u s a b l e w a t e r (Acdrec and Salem 1978). Two d a n s , E l K e b i r and B i r M'Chergua have b e e r c o c s t r u c t e d on t h e H i l i a n e .

3.3.4.
m

C t h e r F r e s h w a t e r Wctlacds

~ r ~ flr ey h w a t e r w e t l a c d s a r e s c a r c e i c T u n i s i a . Kost of t h e w e t l a n d s s a r e sonewhat s a l i c e due t 3 s a l t i c t h e w a t e r s h e d s o i l o r i c f l . ~ x e sof s e a w a t e r i c t ~ h e w e t l a c d . The f r e s h e s t w e t l a c d s e x i s t i c g i c T x i s i a a r e t t h o s e fed d i r e c t l y by r a l c w a t e r o r g r o a c d w a t e r . The f o l l o w i r g f i v e

w e t l a n d s have been s e l e c t e d a s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e v a r i o u s s m a l l w e t l a n d s t h a t e x i s t i n T u n i s i a o r because t h e y e x h i b i t s p e c i a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of i n t e r e s t i n r e g a r d t o b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y . 3.3.4.1. D j e b e l Chktane Lake 3711' N gO1O' E

I n l a n d o f Cap S e r r a t , 45 k n o r t h e a s t of Tabarka o r t h e n o r t h c o a s t , m i s t h e mountain l a k e o f D j e b e l C h i t a n e . The l a k e i s n o t v e r y l a r g e and t h e water i s f r e s h .

A.

Vegetatkon

Lake C h i t a n e i s s u r r o u n d e d by c o r k oak Q u e r c u s s u b e r f o r e s t . The f r e s h w a t e r c r e a t e s c o n d i t i o n s f a v o r a b l e f o r t h e growth of a q u a t i c and edge v e g e t a t i o n s p e c i e s t h a t a r e found i n o n l y a few o t h e r l o c a t i o n s i c T u c i s i a . S p e c i e s i n c l u d e adfo ford and P e t e r k e c 1969, P o t t i e r - A l a p e t i t e 1979) : r

Nymphaea a l b a Sparganium e r e c t u m Ranunculus o p h i o g l o s s i f o l i u s R. a q n a t i l i s s s p b a a d o t i i

Isoetcs velata E c h i c o d o r ~ sr a c u c c u l o i d e s A s p l e r i a m a d i a r t a m nigrum

r
B.
Influences

Rare

T h e r e have been no r e c e n t r e p o r t s o r f a c t o r s i c f l a e c c i c g t h e l a k e , b u t

i t woald be v e r y s e n s i t i v e t o a c t i v i t i e s i n c r e a s i c g s e d i m e c t a t i o r ,
salinity, o r pollutioc.

3.3.4.2.

Lake E l F i e 1

Between D j e b e l Kechem e l Kelb and D j e b e l T o u i l a , 22 k s ~ a t h w e s tof m K a s s e r i n e , i s a s m a l l d e p r e s s i o n (100 h a ) a t an a l t i t n d e o f 650 m. The wetland i s f e d by r u n o f f w a t e r and i t d r i e s o u t e a c h s m m e r f o r a b o u t 2 months. S a l i n i t y i s a b o u t 2 g / l ( ~ o r ~ a 9 8 2 ) . Clay s u b s t r a t e s h e l p 1c r e t a i n w a t e r and t h e b a s i n can f i l l r a p i d l y a f t e r heavy r a i n s .
A.

Vegetation

The l a n d around t h e l a k e i s A r t e m i s i a h e r b a a l b a s t e p p e , much of which h a s been c u l t i v a t e d t o wheat. S c i r p u s m a r i t i m u s c o v e r s 10% of t h e wetland and whec t h e r e i s w a t e r a n a l g a e mat forms on t h e s u r f a c e .

B.

Fauca

I c v e r t c b r a t e s r e p o r t e d by Morgac (1982) a r e S i g a r i a c o c c i c c a ( a b r a c k i s h w a t e r f o r m ) , t h a u m a l i d l a r v a e acd a c a l a c o i d . C 3 3 t , l i t t l e a t i c t , c u r l e w s a n d p i p e r and o t h e r waders and b i r d s f e e d acd r e s t a t t h e wetland d u r i c g m i g r a t i o c .

C.

Icfluences

S c i r p u s would p r o b a b l y c o v e r more o f t h e wetland i f i t was n o t g r a z e d i c t e ~ s i v e l yby l i v e s t o c k . 3.3.4.3. Lake Z e r k i n e 33'15'

1 0 ~ 1 7 'E

Twenty-five k i l o m e t e r s s o u t h e a s t o f Cabes i s a s m a l l (c.50 h a ) wetland f e d by groundwater and r u n o f f . The e h a l l o w l a k e h a s a maximum d e p t h o f 1 meter acd t h e s a l i n i t y kn May o f 1976 was 3.2 g / l (Morgan 1982). Lake Z e r k i c e i s t h e r e f o r e n o t oce o f t h e f r e s h e s t w a t e r b o d i e s o f T u n i s i a , b u t i t i s one o f t h e f r e s h e s t i n t h e r e g i o n .
A.

Vegetatioc

S c i r ~ m a r i t i m u s forms a marsh on 40% of t h e bottom and Characeae i s ~ s d i s p e r s e d o v e r 80% o f t h e pond organ 1982). T h i s i s p r o b a b l y t h e o n l y s o a t h e r r l o c a t i o c of Butomis u m b e l l a t u s , which i s r a r e t h r o u g h o u t T u n i s i a . Dasn9c;m a l i s n a 1s a c o t h e r a q u a t i c p l a n t found i n t h e marsh.

Pocd f a u c a i c c l u d e s : Berthlc : Notocecta sp. Corixa p a c z e r i Sigara corcicca Daphcia sp. Fiaca s p . Lebellulidae Chironomidae Baetidae Coenagrionidae

Icsec t : hphiti~r:

Daphcia a t k i n s o c i Eufo v i r i d i s

B i r d s . Duricg m i g r a t i o c , many of t h e w a t e r f o w l and waders l k s t e d f o r t h e G d f of Gabes ( ~ e c t i o c 3.1.4) could be e x p e c t e d t o f e e d i n t h e pond. Norgar ( 1 9 8 2 ) r e c o r d e d summertime u s e by g r e y h e r o n , l i t t l e e g r e t , squacco h e r o c , e i g h t h e r o c , g l o s s y i b i s , c o o t s , b l a c k t e r c acd garganey.

The f r e s h w a t e r and v e g e t a t i o c o f t h e marsh a t t r a c t h e r d e r s w i t h t h e k r l i v e s t o c k t o t h e s i t e . C r a z i n g i s a primary s o u r c e o f d i s r u p t i o n t o t h e ecosystem. Although i t may n o t be p o s s i b l e t o c o m p l e t e l y e l i m i n a t e g r a z i c g , t h e i m p l e m e c t a t i o n o f some s o r t of s e n s i b l e u s e s t r a t e g y could g r e a t l y e c h a c c e t h e h a b i t a t v a l u e of Lake Zerkkne.

3.3.4.4.

Oued Essed P o o l s

35'55'

10~28'E

Yhec Sebkhet E e l b i h ( ~ e c t i 9 ~ 3.3.2.4) o v e r f l o w s , i t d r a i n s i n t o t h e Sicce Kelbia ocly o c c a s i o n a l l y overflows ( ~ a o u a l i V ~ 9 ~ e df s s e d . E 1 9 ~ 6 ) .as~el::; most o f Oued Esscd i s d r y e x c e p t f o r some p o o l s n e a r S i d i BSJ A l l , bctwcec t h e r a l l r o a d t r a c k s acd GP1. The p o o l s a r e fed by s p r i c g s a c ? ocl:; e x t e c d a few h m d r e d m e t e r s a l o c g t h e r i v e r b e d .
sea

A.

Vegetation

Alocg t h e p o o l s , t h e f r e s h , f l o w i n g w a t e r s u p p o r t s a l u s h growth of c a t t a i l s Typha a n g u s t i f o l i a , P h r a g m i t e s communis, J u n c u s s p . , Tamarix ap. and a few h a l o p h i l e s p e c i e s . B. Fauna

Abundant i n v e r t e b r a t e s occupy t h e w a t e r a r e a t h a t d o e s n o t d r y u p d u r i n g t h e sammer; t h e r e f o r e a n u n u s u a l v a r i e t y o f b i r d s a r e a t t r a c t e d . I n August of 1987, t h e f o l l o w i n g b i r d s were r e c o r d e d : Little egret Night h e r o n Koorhen Coot Water r a i l Shelduck Mallard t n Marbled t e a l n Black-winged s t i l t L i t t l e ringed plover Kentish plover Little stint Ternminck' s s t i n t Cream c o l o r e d c o u r s e r Wood s a n d p i p e r Marsh s a n d p i p e r Greenshank Hoopoe Fan-tailed warbler Olivaceous warbler

t n
C.

= =

Threatened Species Nesting Birds

Icf luecces

The r i v e r f l o w h a s been a l t e r e d by b r i d g e s , road c o n s t r u c t i o n and upstream g r a v e l e x c a v a t i o n , b u t t h e p o o l s a p p e a r t o be r e l a t i v e l y u r - d i s t s r b c d . T h i s i s a v a l u a b l e wetland s i t e t h a t would be v e r y s e n s i t i v e t o v e g e t a t i o c removal o r d i s r u p t i o n of t h e w a t e r flow.

3.3.4.5.

Dar Fatma Bog

36'48'

8'45'

m The o n l y known p e a t bog i n t h e c o u n t r y i s 25 k s o u t h o f Tabarka i n t h e Kroumirie m o s n t a i n s of n o r t h w e s t T u n i s i a . Mountaic s t r e a m s f l o w i n t o a b a s i c ( 7 7 0 rn a l t i t u d e ) c r e a t i n g a s m a l l wetland a b o u t 3 ha i n s i z e , and s-~bterraneac groundwater s e e p a g e h a s c r e a t e d a t r u e Sphagnum bog fn a s m a l l p a r t of t h e b a s h .
A.

Vegetation

Radford and P e t e r k e n (1969) r e p o r t e d t h a t 150 200 p l a n t s p e c i e s grow f n t h e b a s i n , many o f which do n o t o c c u r e l s e w h e r e i n T u n f s i a . The bog, which i s o n l y a few s q u a r e m e t e r s i n s i z e , i s dominated by s e v e r a l s p e c k e s of Sphagcum moss, p r i m a r i l l y S. subsecundum. O t h e r s p e c i e s i n and a t t h e edge of t h e bog i n c l u d e :

Eleocharss multicaulis Hypericum a f rum Holcus l a c a t u s B e l l i s repens J u c c ~ ss p .

Montia f o n t a n a Angallis crassspes P o t e n t i l l a repens Hylocomium s p .

S u r r o u n d i n g t h e bog a r e s o l i g e n o u s m i r e communities of Erica scoparia Asphodelis microcarpus P h r a g m i t e s conmuxis Isoetes hystrix

The f o r e s t e c o s y s t e m a r o u n d t h e b a s i n i s dominated by Quercus c a n a r i e n s i s Q. s u b e r C r a t a e g u s monogyna Erica arborea Calycotome v i l l o s a

B.

Influences

The bog was f e n c e d a t one t i m e t o p r o t e c t i t from g r a z i n g and t r a m p l i n g , b u t i t i s d o u b t f u l t h a t t h e f e ~ c e a s been m a i n t a i n e d . The h s m a l l ecosystem would be v e r y s e n s i t i v e t o tramp1ir.g o r a r y o t h e r form of v e g e t a t i o n d i s r u p t i o n o r removal. S i n c e t h e bog i s o c l y a few s q u a r e m e t e r s i n s i z e , r a r e s p e c i e s of p l a n t s c o u l d be e l i m i n a t e d by a s i n g l e days g r a z i n g . The s i t e i s know. t o be i m p o r t a c t f o r i t s m i q x e v e g e t a t i o n , b u t l i t t l e s t u d y h a s been made of t h e f a x n a .

r : There a r e f i v e maic m o c c t a i c s y s t e m s ir. T w i s i a ( f i & ~ ~F )e t h e Krocnirie/t:ogod c h a i r . i c t h e c o r t h ; t h e T i i c i s i a r D o r s a l r a c g e from t h e w e s t - c e c t e r t o Cap Boc; t h e High T e l l spread betueec the Krocmirie/l.logods acd t h e T c r . i s i a c D o r s a l ; t h e n o s c t a i c s o f t h e High S t e p p e i c c e c t r a l T c c i s i a ; and t h e D o u i r a t m o c c t a i c s of t h e s o ~ t h . E o s t of t h e f o r e s t s of T u r i s i a a r e l o c a t e d i n t h e m o u c t a i c s acd t h e s t e e p rcgged s l o p s s p r o v i d e s a c c t u a r y f o r macy s p e c i e s o f a c i m a l s .

The c l i m a t e i . c t h e m o c c t a i c s d i f f e r s from t h e s c r r o c c d i r . g r e g i o c s . P r e c i p i t a t i o c r a t e s i c c r e e s e 20 mm f o r e v e r y 700 mm i r c r e a s e j c a l t j t u d e . The smmits r e c e i v e p r e c i p i t a t i o c i c t h e form o f r a i c , h a i l a r d evec s c o - ~ ~ . Ar, i m p o r t a c t s o o r c e of a d d i t i o n a l m o i s t c r e i s c l o u d s ar.d f o g , which occi;r ever :c t h e d r y s m m e r s e a s o c s . Temperat1:res a r e a l s o c s o l e r i c t h e n o c c t a i c s ; e s p e c i a l l y t h e h5gh n o x t a i c s n f t h e c o r t h w e s t . Except f o r t h e Krocnirie/Wogods i c t h e Wsmid c z r t h , most cf t h e m o x t s i r f 3 r e s t s a r p degraded acd s e v e r e e r o s i o c i s c o x o c . F i e l w ~ o d c c t t i c g h a s c a i s e d mcch of t h e d e g r a d a t j o r acd o v e r g r a z j ~ ea c c e l e r a t e s erosioc. C-ltivatior- o r the slopes a l s o i c c r e a s e s erosioc especially
u h e r t h e c o z r t D ~ r sa r e c s t f o l l o w e d
n

ard d e c r e a s e s h a b i t a t q ~ a l i t y .

l h ~ t, h e f a c t o r s t o which m 3 . x - t a i c e c o s y s t e m s a r e mast s e r s S t i v e

i r c l ~e : d Z r o s i o c c a l ~ s i c ga c t i v i t i e s : Overgrazice V e g e t a t i o c c c t t i n g f o r fuelwood acd f o d d e r - C~ltivatioc

Soil loss

A l t e r a t i o r of f r a g i l e a l p i n e meadows

The K r o c m i r i e m o m t a i c r a c g e e c t e r s T c c i s j a a t t h e c o r t h w e s t c o r c e r acd e x t e c d s c o r t h e a s t , t o t h e n o r t h of Jecdouba acd Reja acd p a r a l l e l t o t h e c o a s t . A t !Jefza t h e m o u c t a i n s t a p e r o f f acd t h e e r i s e o p a g a i n a s t h e Nogods, which e x t e c d t o B i z e r t e . The a v e r a g e a l t i t s d e v a r 5 e s from 400 t o 800 n (OKUPAA : 9 8 5 ) and r e a c h e s 1203 rn a t D j e b e l Rhorra or. t h e k l g e r i a c border. The c o r t h w e s t i s t h e c o o l e s t acd w e t t e s t p a r t nf T i x j s i a . ? e n p e r a t l i r e acd p r o c i p i t a t i o r . ir. t h e r e g i o c var:r great1.r w i t h a l t ~; d e a r ? ?Xpgsi:e. t The !*;editerrar.ear Sea m ~ d ~ r a t e h e c l j m ~ t eo ~ t h e c o r t h s l z p e s arc! t h e ts c 3 r t i r e r . t a l j r f l ~ e c c e9 s v e r y evider.t o r t h ~o c t h e r r e d p r o f t h e c h a l r . s E i o c l i n a t e s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e K r o c n j r i e / l : o ~ o d s & r e v a r l a c t s o f t h e !-led5 t e r r a c e a r H a i d arc] S c b h s n i d t y p e s .

Figure 8 Mountain Ranges of Tunisia

nediterranean

Kroumirie Hogods High Tell Tunisian Dorsal Mountains of the High Steppe Douirat

The ~ r o u m i r i e / ~ o g o d sr e composed of l i m e s t o n e , s a n d s t o n e and c l a y a from i n t h e o l i g o c e n e e r a . Dominant s o i l s a r e m o d e r a t e l y a c i d i c and o f t e n leached. F o r e s t s o i l s a r e heavy, hydromorphic and f a i r l y r i c h t n w e l l decomposed humus (ONUPAA 1985). P o o r e r s o i l s i n u n f o r e s t e d a r e a s a r e f i n e r and l i g h t e r sandy-limes. Secondary a o i l s i n c l u d e heavy v e r t i a o l s and hydromorphs a t b a s e s o f s l o p e s and brown c a l c a r e o i i s s o i l s . V e g e t a t i o n . A v a s t f o r e s t o f Zen oak Q u e r c u s c a n a r i e n s i s and c o r k oak Quercus s u b e r once covered t h e Kroumirke/Mogods. Smaller f o r e s t s o f & a f a r e s kermes oak & c o c c i f e r a and P i n u s p i n a s t e r a l a o grew. C l e a r i n g 9 and c u l t i v a t i o n i n t h e lower v a l l e y s h a s reduced t h e e x t e n s i v e n e s s o f t h e f o r e s t s , b u t t h e Kroumirie/Mogods a r e e t i l l t h e most f o r e s t e d r e g i o n s of T u n i s i a . Cork oak f o r e s t predominates, s t r e t c h i n g from t h e A l g e r i a n b o r d e r , t h r o u g h o u t t h e Kroumirie and f n t o t h e Mogods. The v a r i a t i o n s i n a l t i t u d e , s o i l and c l i m a t e encompassed by t h e range of t h e c o r k oak f o r e s t s r e s u l t s i n a d i v e r s i t y o f a s s o c i a t e d v e g e t a t i o n t y p e s . Cuenot and Schoenenberger (1965) d e s c r i b e d t h e primary a s s o c i a t i o n s acd v a r i a n t s o f t h e v e g e t a t i o n i r c o r t h e r c T u r i s i a . The primary a s s o c i a t i o r o r t h e h i g h e r mountains c o n s i s t s of cork oak w i t h a n understory of v a r i o u s p r o p o r t i o r s of: Erica arborea Cytisus t r i f l o r u s Calycotome v i l l o s a C i s t ~ ss a l v i i f o l i a s Viburnum t i c u s Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Myrtus commuris

On lower m o a n t a i n s and s l o p e s t h e u n d e r s t o r y c o c t a i c s many o f t h e above s p e c i e s , b u t t h e more humid s h r u b t y p e s a r e r e p l a c e d . There i s a l s o a g r e a t l y d i f f e r i n g h e r b l a y e r . Commoc a s s o c i a t i o c s a r e i n d i c a t e d by: Erica arborea Calycotome v i l l o s a Cistus salviifolius C. m o n s p e l i e n s i s Pistacia lertiscus Myrtus c o m m u ~ i s P h i l l y r e a a r g u s t i f o l i s media

and a common v a r i a n t t h a t o c c u r s on d r i e r s l o p e s i s k n d i c a t e d by t h e p r e s e c c e o f Lavandula s t o e c h a s and: Erica scoparia Halimium h a l i m i f o l i u m Genfsta aspalathoides G. u l c k n a

T A

I n t h e Mogods, c o r k oak f o r e s t s a r e o f t e n mixed w t t h kermes oak, which becomes t h e dominant s p e c i e s i n many l o c a t i o n s . A common a s s o c i a t i o n i n c l u d e s t h e o a k s and: Pistacia lentiscus Erica arborea Myrtus comrnunis Viburrum t i n u s Rubus u l m i f o l i u s

A Lavandula s t o e c h a s v a r i a n t s i m i l a r t o occur on d r i e r s l o p e s . Where c o r k oak does i n a s s o c i a t i o n vi'th: Arbutus unedo Erica multiflora

t h e one d e s c r i b e d above may . n o t o c c u r , kermes oak i s o f t e n C i s t u s monspeliensis Pistacia lentiscus

Near t h e c o a s t t h e main a s s o c i a t i o n i s i n d i c a t e d by kermes oak, Teucrium f r u t i c a n s and d v a r f palm Chamaerops h u m i l i s . On t h e h i g h s l o p e s and n o r t h f a c i n g r a v i n e s o f t h e w e s t e r n p a r t o f t h e Kroumirie, abundant r a i n and c o o l t e m p e r a t u r e s c r e a t e f a v o r a b l e c o n d i t i o n s f o r a zen oak climax f o r e s t . Zen oak g r o v s i n d e n s e s t a n d s , o f t e n v k t h a c l o s e d canopy t h a t r e s t r i c t s t h e growth of u n d e r s t o r y t r e e s . More open s t a n d s c o n t a i n s h r u b s , such a s : Cytisus t r i f l o r u s Erica arborea C r a t a e g u s oxycantha monogyna Myrtus communis Rubus u l m i f o l i u s

but t h e most abundant p l a n t s a r e h e r b s , i n c l a d i c g : Agrimonia eupa t o r i a Brachypodium s y l v a t i c u m Cyclamec africanum Achillea l i g u s t i c a Rumex t u b e r o s u s Prunella vulgaris

vNA

I n r e g a r d t o v c g e t a t i o c d i v e r s i t y , zen oak f o r e s t s i c c l u d e some i c t e r e s t i n g s p e c i e s groups a t t h e l i m i t of t h e i r range. The h i g h e s t peaks of T u n i s i a a r e t h e lower a l t i t u d i n a l l i m i t s of some h i g h a l t i t u d e s p e c i e s , such a s :
rNA

.U r t i c a

Lapsana communis macrocarpa dioica rNA Carex s i l v a t i c a Ajuga r e p t a n s Hieracium p s e u d o - p i l o s e l l a

I l e x a q u i f olium Circaea l u t e t i a c e Geum urbacum Platacthera bifolia

I n terms of l o n g i t u d i n a l r a n g e , t h e zen oak f o r e s t s of T m i s i a a r e t h e e a s t e r n l i m i t of t h e f o l l o w i n g s p e c i e s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e Kabylie mountains: Quercus a f a r e s Carex o l b i e n s i s P o t e n t i l l a micrantha Diacthus b a l b i s i i Saxifraga veronicifolia F e s t u c a dryme j a S c u t e l l a r k a columr.ae r N A Doronicum a t l a c t i c u m Geranium a t l a n t i c u m

There a r e a l s o o v e r 200 s p e c i e s of mushrooms and numerous f e r n s , such a s :

r r r

Blechnum s p i c a n t Athy rium f i l i x - f e m i n a Dryopteris aculeata D. f i l i x - m a s v = Very Rare r = Rare

Ophioglossum l u s i t a n i c u m r P h y l l i t i s scolopecdrim r Ptcris locgifolia

............................................................
NA = North A f r i c a E ~ d e r n i c

Much of t h e K r o u r n i r i e / ~ o g o d sh a s been degraded from t h e climax v e g e t a t i o n t y p e . Where t h e c o r k oak f o r e s t h a s been c l e a r e d , a maquis of h e a t h e r ( ~ r i c a c e a e )forms (ONUPAA 1985). The c h a r a c t e r t s t i c s p e c i e s o f t h e h e a t h e r maquis i n c l u d e ( ~ u e n o t1965): Erica arborea C i s t u s monspeliensis Calycotome v i l l o s a Pistacia lentiscus A r b u t u s unedo Plantago s e r r a r i a Hypochaeris r a d i c a t a o r , t h e r e may be a v a r i a n t t y p i f i e d by: E r i c a scoparka Lavandula s t o e c h a s Halimiam h a l i m i f o l i u m Tuberaria vulgaris Pteridium aquilicum Hedysarum c o r o n a r i u s B r i z a maxima K o e l e r i a pubescens T r i f o l i u m campestre Festuca coerulescens Cynosurus e c h i n a t u s Bellis silvestris Ampelodesma maurktantca

On t h e lower s l o p e s of t h e Kroumirie, e s p e c i a l l y a t t h e edges of t h e racgeS, t h e maquis a r e more l i k e l y t o i n c l u d e : Olea europaea o l e a s t e r Pistacia lentiscus Myrtas cornrumis Genista ferox J u c c u s baf o c i a s Cichoriam i n t y b u s pumilum o r Lavacdula v a r i a c t s . Chrysanthemum paludosum Mentha pulegium Romulea l i n a r e s i i Centaurium s p i c a t u m Gaudica f r a g i l i s

On d r a i n e d s o i l s , t h e f o l l o w i n g s p e c i e s a r e found: Avena a l b a v a r . b a r b a t a Hyparrhenia h i r t a

Calycotome v i l l o s a Genista tricuspidata T r i f olium a n g u s t i f o l i u m

I c t h e Mogods, t h e maquis a r e s t i l l dominated by and P i s t a c i a ( 0 l e a - l e n t i s c u s maquis), b u t t h e o t h e r a s s o c i a t e d s p e c i e s a r e o f t e n q u i t e d i f f e r e c t from t h o s e o f t h e Kroumirie. Common a s s o c i a t i o n s i n c l u d e : Jasminum f r u t i c a n s Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Asparagus a l b u s G a l a c t i t e s tomentosa Cynosurus e c h k n a t u s Urtica pilulifera C e r a s t i u m glomeratum S t e l l a r i a media A r u m media Arisarum v u l g a r e Ambrosia b a b s i i Allium chanaemoly Silybum marianum C i r s i u m scabrum

I n f l u e n c e s . The s p e c i e s composition and v e g e t a t i o n cover o f t h e K r o ; u n i r i e / ~ o g o d shave been changed from t h e o r i g i n a l v a s t oak f o r e s t s by timber h a r v e s t i c g ; c l e a r i c g f o r c u l t i v a t i o c , p a s t u r e acd homes; g a t h e r i c g of firewood, f o r a g e , m e d i c i c a l acd e d i b l e p l a c t p r o d a c t s ; acd m a c i p u l a t i o n

of w a t e r r e s o u r c e s (dams, s t r e a m d i v e r s i o c ) . By 1 9 4 3 , F r e n c h c o l o n i a l i s t s had h a r v e s t e d s o much oak from t h e K r o u m i r i e t h a t no l a r g e s t a n d s of trees g r e a t e r t h a c 1 meter i n d i a m e t e r were l e f t ( ~ i r .F o r . 1 9 6 5 ) . Host of t h e Ic 1 9 4 3 a l m o s t a l l o f t h e t r e e s were 10 wood was u s e d f o r t h e r a i l r o a d s . t o 50 y e a r s o l d , w i t h o n l y a few o l d g r o v e s l e f t a t t h e f o r m e r Ain Draham N a t i o n a l P a r k and s c a t t e r e d s p a r s e i n a c c e s s i b l e c l u m p s i n o t h e r a r e a s . I n terms o f b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y t h e h i g h e s t , s t e e p e s t , most i n a c c e s s i b l e a r e a s a r e t h o s e most l i k e l y t o s u c c e e d t o w a r d t h e n a t u r a l c l i m a x v e g e t a t i o n . O f f i c i a l p r o t e c t i o n o f some o t h e r a r e a s h a s r e s u l t e d i n d i v e r s e n a t a r a l v e g e t a t i o c and f a v o r a b l e w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t . Even l o c a t i o n s t h a t a r e h e a v i l y i n f l u e n c e d by p e o p l e a r e i m p o r t a n t t o t h e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y i f t h e t h e c o n t i n u i t y of t h e oak f o r e s t i s m a i n t a i n e d . S t a r t i n g from t h e w e s t , s i t e s o f s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t i n t h e Kroumirie/Mogods a r e d e s c r i b e d belaw. 3.4.1.1. E l Feidja

Aboat 6 0 km s o u t h w e s t of T a b a r k a t h e T u c i s i a / A l g e r i a b o r d e r c a r v e s westward t o eccompass t h e E l F e i d j a D j e b e l R h o r r a m a s s i f . The summit of D j e b e l R h o r r a ( 1 2 0 3 rn) i s o r t h e b o r d e r , which p u t s t h e s o a t h w e s t s l o p e i n T u n i s i a . E l F e i d j a i s a l a r g e m a s s i f ( o v e r 2 0 , 0 0 0 h a ) w i t h macy p e a k s and v a l l e y s r a c g i n g i c a l t i t u d e from 3 5 0 m t o 1 1 1 0 rn a t D j e b e l S t a t i r .

O t h e h i g h p e a k s i s where t h e h i g h e s t p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e s i n North c A f r i c a o c c a r (1500+ m / Y e a r ) . Scow f a l l s o c t h e h i g h p e a k s s e v e r a l times each w i c t e r a r d r e a c h e s t h e lawer s l o p e s a n a v e r a g e o f 4 t o 7 t i m e s p e r y e a r . D r i z z l e , m i s t and h a i l a l s o add t o t h e w a t e r r e g i m e , k e e p i n g t h e a r e a humid, a c d many s t r e a m s f l w t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r .
A.
Vegetatioc

Over 1 7 , 0 0 0 h a ( 8 5 % ) o f E l F e i d j a i s f o r e s t e d . The h i g h e r s l o p e s of t h e m a s s i f a r e t h e most f a v o r a b l e l o c a t i o n s i c T u c k s i a f o r zen oak. A t t h e summit o f D j e b e l R h o r r a t h e r e i s a 1 6 0 h a a l p i n e meadow ( ~ i r .F o r . t h e l a r g e s t of t h e few t h a t e x i s t i n T u r i s i a . A g r o v e o f t h e r a r e 1965) T u c i s i a / A l g e r i a endemic Q u e r c u s a f a r e s h a s a l s o b e e c r e p o r t e d t o e x i s t a t E l F e i d j a ( ~ i r .F o r . 1 9 f m n o t h e r ~ u n i s i a / ~ l g e r iendemic p l a n t a e r e p o r t e d f o r E l F e i d j a i s G e c i s t a u l c i n a ( p o t t i e r - ~ l a ~ e t i t1979).

S p e c i e s a d a p t e d t o t h e warmer t e m p e r a t u r e s and m o d e r a t e r a i n o f t h e c o r k oak s t a n d s and c l e a r i n g s i n c l u d e t h o s e t y p i c a l o f h e a t h e r o r Oleal e c t i s c u s maquis a n d : Prunella vulgaris Cynosarus p o l y b r a c t e a t u s Gecista ferox Medicago s a t i v a e u - s a t i v a Ampelodesma r n a a r i t a c i c a C e r t a u r e a a f r i c a c u s tagoca F i c a r i a verna Allium t r i q u e t r u m Asphodelis microcarpus Smilax a s p e r a Daphce g r i d i a n Heliarthemum sp.

NA

R A = Ngrth k f r i c a c E ~ d e r n i c

Undergrowth i n t h e zen oak s t a n d s c o n t a f n s ( ~ i r .For. 1965, P e t e r k e n and Radford 1969): Shrubs: Herbs: v r r I l e x a q u i f olium C e r a s u s avium Teucrium s c o r o d o n i a A juga r e p t a n s P o t e n t i l l a micrantha S t e l l a r i a holostea Luzula F o r s t e r i L. c a m p e s t r i s Vicia sativa V. d i s p e m a Cyclamec africanum S a c i c u l a europaea Melica u n i f l o r a M. minuta Cytisus t r i f l o r u s Agrimonia e u p a t o r i a Smyrnium r o t u n d i f o l i u m Asperula l a e v i g a t a Galium l a e v i g a t a Doronicum a t l a n t i c u m Geranium a t l a n t i c u m Asphodelis c e r a s i f e r u s Lamium bifidum Carex europea Achillea l i g u f s t i c a Lathyrus sphearicus L. i n c o n s p i c u u s Anthoxacthum odoratum

rNA

Grasses:

T h e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y of t h e E l F e i d j a f o r e s t s i s i n d i c a t e d by some t h e con-domicant s p e c i e s . There a r e Mid-European t y p e s p e c i e s a s w e l l t h o s e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e Mediterranean f o r e s t .

Kid-Europeac S p e c i e s : Sisymbriam a l l i a r i a Agrimocia e u p a t o r i a Circaea l u t e t i a n a S a c i c u l a europea

Epilobium moctanum r ~ e l i c a niflora u Planthanthera bifolia

Mediterranean Forest Species: Cardamine h i r s u t a Hypericurn afrum H. a u s t r a l e Lathyrus l a t i f o l i u s

S c u t e l l a r i a columnae Phlomis h e r b a v e n t i Specularia falcata Arisarum v u l g a r e

e r e a r e a l s o maay t e m p e r a t e European n o n - f o r e s t s p e c i e s , such a L i l i u m candidum Fumaria o f f i c i n a l i s Geurn urbanum Acthriscus sylvestris Asperula a r v e n s i s Fedia cornucopiae Draba v e r n a Vicia sativa

rNA

...........................................................
r
=

Rare

N A = North A f r i c a Ecdernic

Other n o n - f o r e s t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n c l u d e t h o s e of s a n d s t o n e o u t c r o p s , permanent s t r e a m s and a l p i n e meadows: S a n d s t o n e Outcrops: Celtis australis Acantha m o l l i s Asplenium adiantum nignun A. t r i c h o t o m a n e s Ruecus hypophyllum Permanent Streams: S a l i x purpurea-helix Rosa c a n i n a Acer monspessulanum Nerium o l e a n d e r A l p i c e Meadow: Fissidecs taxifolius Mnium ucgula tum Polypodium v u l g a r e P o t e n t i l l a splendens Sedum c o e ~ l e u m Selaginella denticulata Umbilicus r o z i z e n t a l i s Rubus f r u t i c o s a Polypodium v u l g a r e Ranunculus a q u a t i l i s Cyperaceaes Bryum t o r q u e s c e c s B. a l p i c u m

Two a d d i t i o c a l r a r e p l a n t s t h a t o c c u r a t E l F e i d j a a r e Rutus i n c a n e s c e n s and Rosa g a l l i c a .

Mammals. The E l F e i d j a m a s s i f h a s t h e h i g h e s t c o c c e n t r a t i o n of t h e r a r e b a r b a r y d e e r Cervus e l a p h u s b a r b a r u s i n T u n i s i a . Approximately 1,400 d e e r i n h a b l t 1 8 , 0 0 0 ha of f o r e s t s acd c l e a r i n g s i n t h e a r e a , f e e d i n g on h e r b s and m a s t . Wild b o a r , j a c k a l , red f o x , common g e n e t , A l g e r i a n hedgehog and North A f r i c a n c r e s t e d porcupine a r e a l s o commoc. Occasiocally, r a r e lycx-like caracal Caracal c a r a c a l a r e reported. B i r d s . Abundant rock o u t c r o p s and c l i f f s a t E l F e i d j a p r o v i d e h a b i t a t f o r d i u r ~ a lacd n o c t s r c a l r a p t o r s and o t h e r l e d g e o r c a v i t y n e s t i n g b i r d s . Many m i g r a t i n g b i r d s p a s s through t h e f o r e s t i n t h e s p r i n g acd f a l l , and t h e r e i s a l s o a r i c h d i v e r s i t y of s e d e c t a r y s p e c i e s . Commoc b i r d s r e p o r t e d f o r E l F e i d j a (IUCK 1987) i n c l a d e : Golden e a g l e n Short-toed e a g l e n Sparrowhawk Kestrel Tawny owl Cuckoo Green woodpecker G r e a t s p o t t e d woodpecker T u r t l e dove Wood pigeon Great t i t Coal t i t Chaffinch Blackcap Spotted flycatcher r Firecrest Wren Raven

r = Rare n = Nesting Birds

C.

Irflcerces

Decse f o r e s t c o v e r n o r m a l l y p r o t e c t s t h e s t e e p s l o p e s from e r o s i o c , b ~ tth e f o r e s t s have been a l t e r e d macy t i m e s by f i r e s a r d h m a r m a r i p e l a t i o r . More t h a r 50na o f t h e z e c oak have beec h i t by f l a m e s ( ~ i r . F o r . , l 9 6 5 ) , some o f which was a r e s u l t o f t h e F r e c c h - A l g e r i a c war. L o c a l i r h a b j t a r t s , F r e r c h c o l o r , i a l i s t s acd t h e A 1 g e r i . a ~army a l l e x p l o i t e d t h e f o r e s t s , o f t ~ c e a v i r e c l e a r i n g s o r m a q ~ i st h a t d i d n o t r e g e n e r a t e t o oak. l F i r e b r e a k s v e r e a l s o c c t acd re-opeced e v e r y 3 y e a r s . P a s t a c t i o r s s t i l l i c f l c e r c e t h e ecosystem t o d a y , a r d e x p l o i t a t i o r c o r t i n c e s by t h e l o c a l r e s i d e c t s . Cork h a r v e s t i c g while c o t d e s t r u c t i v e t o t h e oaks - r e s i i l t s i r t r a m p l e d ~ n d e r e r o v t hand d i s t s r b a n c e t o t h e f a x a . Other f o r e s t p r o d u c t s , s c c h a s a c o r n s and Myrtiis c o n m ~ n i sb r a n c h e s are a l s o harvested.

T 1 P r i d j a \<as c ~ i r h a b i t e dc c t i l t h e l a t e 1800s wher t h e F r e r c h a r r i v e d ( 2 i r e y :364 ). 3~:ricg t h e :960s t h e r e were a b o ~ t: ,900 hones w i t h 5 , 0 0 0 n.. c. ; s i a r s who ~ u r ~ d I~ 2,500 caws, 6 , 0 0 0 s h e e p a r d coats a r d 600 e q u i d s . Ir ~ 3 c 3 s e~ t h e ~ c ~ l - p a t i o r s a s were i l l e p l . To f e e d t h e i r a r i n a l s t h e p e o p l e herded t h e n thro.:gh c.5,000 ha t o g r a z e , acd c o l l e c t e d f o d d e r . E s t i m a t e d f o r a g e r..eds averaged 1855 of t h e s c s t a i r i a b l e prod5;ctior i r optincrn co~dit.lor-s for t h e forest. T h i s meacs that s e r i o u s o v e r g r a z i n g h a s b e e c o c c c r i r e f o r n a r y y e a r s , a l t h o ~ i g h t h e l e v e l may have d e c r e a s e d s i r c e t h e 1363s. R e s i d e c t s have a l s o c l e a r e d p l o t s f o r r a i s i r g c e r e a l c r o p s a D T E C ~ ~ Cc 3 w e l l a d a p t e d t o t h e c l i n a t j c c o r d i t i o r s o f t h e r e g 5 o ~ . E ~

B a r t s r y d e e r v e r e c o m p l e t e l y e l j m i r a t e d from t h e a r e a betwecr 1954 and :962 ( ~ i r e y: 9 6 ~ ) . A f t e r t h e d e e r became a p r o t e c t e d s p e c i e s t h e y i m c i g r a t e d t o E l Peid j a from A l g e r i a i r 1962. K i l d b o a r , doves a r d p l g e x s are st511 h x t e d ir the area. To f ~ r t h e rp r o t e c t t h e d e e r a 4:7 ha r e s e r v e h a s b e e r c r e a t e d . T h e r e a r e c ; r r e c t ~ r o p ~ s a l o c r e a t e a 2517 ha c a t i o c a l park a t 51 T e i d j a t o ts p r e s e r v e t h e f o r e s t s a r d f a c r a ( s e e S e c t i o r 5.4.6). 3 . 2 Ain Draham

ASc Drahan i s 4 0 km n o r t h e a s t o f E l F e i d j a acd 26 km s o c t h of Tabarka. Th r e g i o r a r o c r d t h e c i t y i s v e r y m o m t a i n o n s , t h o ~ g hc o t a s h i g h a s B1 Fe: d j a .

Rorthwest of Air Drahan, o r t h e A l g e r i a r b o r d e r , i s D j c b e l D a r a o c j , which i s f o r e s t e d t o z e c oak and c o r k oak adfo ford arc! P e t e r k e c 1 9 6 5 ) . a r ? a l s o s e v e r a l o t h e r zen oak f o r e s t s iip t o s e v e r a l h x d t e d hecyares ir. s f z f t 9 t h e e a s t of Air Drahan. Ore o f t h o s e f o r e s t s , Air T , ~ ~ . - ~kr? 5 of Air- k h h a n ) , c o r t a i ~ s 5 ha g r c v e o f t h e r a r e , :. : h
( 4

T u n i s i a / A l g e r i a endemic Q u e r c u s a f a r e s . I l e x aqukfolium Cytisus t r i f lorus Erica arborea Arbutus unedo Luzala f o r s t e r i Alliaria officinalis Dryopteris aculeta r = Rare

Associated vegetation includes: S a n i c u l a europaea Brachypodfum s i l v a t i c u m Athyrium f k l i x - f e m i n a P o t e n t P l l a micrantha Saxifraga veronicifolia Viola odorata Prunella vulgaris

r r

r r

Two s t a n d s of a l e p p o p i n e P i n u s h a l e p e n s i s e x i s t 3 k n o r t h w e s t and 5 m km c o r t h e a s t o f Fernana. Each s t a n d i s c.300 ha i n s i z e . The i n t e r s p e r s i o n of t h e a l e p p o p i n e s t a n d s i n t o t h e oak f o r e s t i n c r e a s e s t h e e c o t o n e , o r t r a n s i t i o n zone, between t h e Kroumirie and t h e High T e l l . B i o l ~ g i c a ld i v e r s i t y i n t h e a r e a i s enhacced by t h e Dar Fatma bog ( s e e S e c t i o r 3 . 3 . 4 . 5 ) acd somewhat by t h e Beni Mtir r e s e r v o i r . The r e s e r v o i r provides a f r e s h w a t e r r e s t a r e a f o r m i g r a t i n g w a t e r f o w l and waders, but t h e deep w a t e r and u r v e g e t a t e d edges do n o t f a v o r c o n t i n u a l u s e by l a r g e numbers of a c i m a l s . Downstream from t h e dam, t h e Oued Melah i s v e g e t a t e d by Neriun o l e a r d e r , Laurus n o b i l i s , Hypericum androsaemum and o t h e r r i p a r i a n p l a c t s acd i t i s r e p o r t e d t o be used by mongoose and r a r e o t t e r s Lutra l u t r a .

-B.

Irflaecces

E x p l o i t a t i o c of f o r e s t v e g e t a t i o n and c l e a r i n g f o r c u l t f v a t i o n o r developmert a r e t h e maic f a c t o r s a f f e c t i n g t h e ecosystems.

3.4.1.3.

Tabarka

0 c t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a r c o a s t , Tabarka i s t h e n o r t h w e s t e r n most c i t y i n T a c i s i a . The Kroumirie mauntains drop a b r u p t l y t o t h e s e a t o t h e west of T a b a r k a a a d s u b s i d e more g e n t l y t o t h e e a s t . A. Vegetation

F o r e s t s i n t h e a r e a a r e domknated by c o r k oak and o c c a s i o n a l l y c o n t a i n Zen oak a r d a l e p p o p i n e . Southwest o f Tabarka t h e r e i s a maritime p i n e .. Pinus p i c a s t e r s s p . r e n o u i f o r e s t n e a r t h e A l g e r i a n b o r d e r . T h i s 5;500 ha n a t u r a l f o r e s t i s t h e l a r g e s t of i t s t y p e i n T u n i s i a . Cork oak i s mixed i c w i t h t h e f o r e s t , b u t i t does n o t grow w e l l on t h e a c i d i c s o i l . Other associated species include: Erkca scoparium E. a r b o r e a Halimiam h a l i m i f o l i u m Arbatas u r e d ~ Pistacia lentiscus Lavacdula s t o e c h a s Teucrium f r a t i c a c s

B.

Fauca

To t h e west o f Tabarka i s Ain Baccouch, a n a r e a c o n t a i n i n g 50 100 b a r b a r y d e e r . The s i t e i s f o r e s t e d t o c o r k oak, w i t h eome zen oak and marktime p i n e (IUCN 1987) and h a s been d e s i g n a t e d a p e r m a n e ~ t r e s e r v e t o p r o t e c t i t from h u n t i n g , e x p l o i t a t i o n and g r a z k n g ( s e e S e c t i o n 5.4.10). 3.4.1.4. Nefza

Where t h e Kroumirie e n d s and t h e Mogods b e g i n , t h e r e 2 s a v a l l e y c o n t a i n i n g t h e northward f l o w i n g Oued Madena and t h e C i t y o f Nefza. The Mogods a r e l o w e r and n o t as s t e e p a s t h e Kroumirie and most o f t h e l o w e r s l o p e s and v a l l e y s have been c u l t i v a t e d .
A.

Vegetation

There a r e some w e l l f o r e s t e d a r e a s l e f t i n t h e r e g i o c , such as t h e B e l i f f o r e s t . B e l i f i s c l a i m e d t o be one o f t h e most p r o d u c t i v e c o r k oak f o r e s t s i n T u c i s i a . I n 1974 t h e f o r e s t was h i t by a t o r n a d o t h a t d e s t r o y e d most o f t h e t r e e s i r i t s path. I n 1987, d e n s e v i g o r o u s r e g e c e r a t i o n covered t h e a f f e c t e d a r e a . The r e g e n e r a t i n g s t a n d i s p r o t e c t e d froui g r a z i n g and o t h e r e x p l o i t a t i o n . U n d e r s t o r y v e g e t a t i o n i n the forest includes: Calycotome v i l l o s a C r a t a e g u s o x y c a c t h u s monogyca C. a z a r o l a s Teucrium r a d i c a n s T. pseado-scorodonia Daphne gnidsum Asphodelus m i c r o c a r p u s Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Alnus g l u t i n o s a

vT r

A t t h e n o r t h end o f t h e B e l i f f o r e s t i s t h e f o r e s t o f M'hibes. Cork oak i s d o m i c a r t , b a t kermes oak i s a l s o commoc, and becomes dominant toward t h e c o a s t . A s s o c i a t e d s p e c i e s i n c l u d e :
Olea e u r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Pistacia lentiscus Myrtus commucis Erica arboree Chamaerops h u m i l i s Teucrium f r u t i c a n s Cistus s a l v i i f o l i u s C. m o n s p e l i e n s i s Pteridium aquilinum

J u s t s o u t h o f Nefza a t D j e b e l Abiod and f u r t h e r s o u t h a t D j e b e l S i d i Ahmed a r e two m o . ~ n t a i n r a n g e s d o m i ~ a t e dby c a r o b C e r a t o n i a s i l i q u a and Olea-lectiscus formations, along with: Rhamnas a l a t e r n u s R. l y c i o i d e s s s p o l e o i d e s P h i l l yrea a n g u s t i f o l i a ssp latkfolia
aE

South o f D j e b e l S i d i Ahmed i s D j e b e l Rhenza, t h e l o c a t i o n o f i s o l a t e d s t a c d o f a l e p p o p i n e and Arbutus unedo.

................................................................
v = Very Rere r = Rare

T = T u c i s i a Endemic

B.

Fauca

Between 50 and 150 b a r b a r y d e e r e x i s t i n t h e M'hibes f o r e s t (IUCN 1987). Wild b o a r , j a c k a l , red f o x , brown h a r e , and many s p e c i e s o f b a t s and r o d e c t s a l s o o c c u r n e a r Nefza. C. Influences

Timber h a r v e s t i n g is c a r e f u l l y monitored by t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e , b u t t h e r e i s a n unknown amount of g r a z i n g and c o l l e c t i o n of f o d d e r in t h e f o r e s t s . Myrtus and E r i c a b r a n c h e s a r e a l s o h a r v e s t e d . A t M'hibes a 370 ha r e s e r v e h a s been c r e a t e d t o p r o t e c t t h e r a r e b a r b a r y d e e r .

3.4.1.5.

Sejnane

Toward t h e e a s t e r n end of t h e Mogods, c o r k oak i s r e p l a c e d by kermes oak maquis. The c o r k oak t h a t does o c c u r i s u s u a l l y s p a r s e , shows poor growth acd i s mixed w i t h kermes oak and a s s o c i a t e d s p e c i e s . Betweec S e j c a n e acd Tamra t h e r e i s a n example o f such a maquis, i c c l a d i n g E r i c a s c o p a r i a , Myrtus communis and G e n i s t a ferox. I n t h e clearings there are two uncommoc p l a n t s t h a t o n l y o c c u r i n t h i s a r e a : I s o e t e s v e l a t a v a r . t y p i c a a ~ d h e r a r e ~ u n i s i a / ~ l g e r iendemic Armeria s p i n u l ~ a d f o r d t a and P e t e r k e n 1969). An example o f t h e c l i m a x v e g e t a t i o n t y p e c a n be s e e n a t a p l a c e n o r t h e a s t of S e j n a n e by road MC51. C a l l e d "Sacred Wood" by Radford and P e t e r k e c (19691, t h e s i t e c e n t e r s around a n o l d b u r i a l s h r i c e . Out o f r e s p e c t f o r t h e s h r i n e t h e t r e e s a r e n o t c u t , b u t l i v e s t o c k i s brought i n t o t h e f o r e s t and t h e ground i s almost b a r e . The a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 h a s t a n d i s dominated by: Quercus suber Olea e u r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Pistacia lentiscus Myrtus commmis Daphne gcidium Calycotome v i l l o s a

A t t h e n o r t h e a s t end of t h e Mogods t h e h i l l s a r e lower and g e n t l y s l o p i n g . Kermes oak i s r e p l a c e d by O l e a - l e n t i s c u s maquis and c u l t i v a t i o n a t t h e e a s t e r n end u n t i l Ras e l Ahmar on t h e c o a s t . T h e r e , a l a r g e , i s o l a t e d a l e p p e p i n e f o r e s t grows w i t h a n u n d e r s t o r y of kermes oak and:
Pistacia lentiscus J u n i p e r u s oxycedrus J . phoenicea Retama monosperma Chamaerops h u m i l i s Lycium s p .

3.4.1.6.

Djebel Ichkeul

0c t h e s o u t h s i d e of Lake I c h k e u l ( S e c t i o n 3.3.1.1) i s D j e b e l I c h k e u l , an o u t l y i n g mountain of t h e Mogods c h a i n . t h e m o u c t a i c h a s a c a l t i t a d e of 511 m acd d e s c e c d s t o Lake I c h k e u l on t h e c o r t h s i d e , t h e S e j c a c e marsh oc t h e w e s t , Djoumice marsh o c t h e e a s t and t h e Mateur p l a i n t o t h e s o u t h .

A.

Vegetation

The mountaic i s dominated by a c O l e a - l e n t i s c u s rnaqais (UCL 1977) w i t h P h i l l y r e a a c g a s t i f o l i a and Smilax a s p e r a mixed ic. The maquis i s a l s o i n t e r s p e r s e d w i t h Chamaerops h u m i l i s on rocky r i d g e s , and J a c i p e r ~ s p h o e n i c e a o c t h e c o r t h skde o f t h e peak and i r t h e n o r t h e a s t c o r c e r . Euphorbia d e n d r o i d e s dominates t h e maquis o c t h e west acd s o a t h e a s t s i d e s . Other s p e c i e s o f i n t e r e s t i c c l u d e : T T Teucrium s c h o e n e c b e r g e r i Limocium b o i t a r d i i Callitris articulata Notholaeca v e l l e a Ceratocia s i l i q u a

S m a l l , opec g l a d e s o f s h o r t t u r f g r a s s l a n d a r e i c t e r s p e r s e d i n t h e maquis, m o s t l y o c t h e n o r t h w e s t s i d e o f t h e summit. The g l a d e s a r e v e g e t a t e d by Hordeum maritimam F e r u l a commucis B. Faara L a g u n s ovatus Asphodelus m i c r o c a r p s s

The fauna o f Djebel I c h k e u l i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t d e s c r i b e d f o r Lake I c h k e a l ( S e c t i o c 3.3.1 . I ) C. Icflaecces

A c t i v e q a a r r i e s a r e d i s f i g u r i c g t h e s o a t h s i d e o f t h e mmictain, and g r a z i c g a l s o o c c u r s t h e r e . The r e s t o f t h e mountain acd i t s v e g e t a t i o c i s w e l l p r o t e c t e d . D j e b e l I c h k e a l i s i n c l u d e d w i t h Lakc I c h k e z l i n t h e I c h k e a l N a t i o n a l park ( s e e S e c t i o n 5.4.2).

3.4.2.

High T e l l

Between t h e Kroumirie and t h e T u n i s i a n D o r s a l mozntain ranges i s a c a r e a o f mouctaics and h i g h p l a t e a u s c a l l e d t h e High T e l l . The mean a l t i t u d e o f t h e p l a t e a a s i s 600 t o 800 m and t h e h i g h e r moactaic peaks 1985). The mountain c h a i n s a r e o r j e n t e d SW-HE acd a r e p a s s 1000 m (ONUPAA s e p a r a t e d by d e p r e s s i o c s acd c u l t i v a t e d p l a i n s . The s o i l s o f t h e r e g i o c a r e mostly c a l c a r e o u s , b u t many l o c a t i o n s c o n t a i n s a n d s t o n e , gypsum, marnes and a l l u v i a l d e p o s i t s . T h r e e main r i v e r s run t h r o a g h t h e High T e l l : Oued R e l l e g a e , Oaed T e s s a , and Oued S i l i a n a , a l l o f which flow i c t o t h e Medjerda. B i o c l i m a t e s r a n g e from Subhumid i c t h e n o r t h w e s t t o Semia r i d i c t h e south. The High T e l l i s more a f f e c t e d by f o r e s t c l e a r i n g acd o v e r g r a z i c g t h a c t h e K r o a m i r i e / ~ o g o d s . C u l t i v a t i o c e x t e n d s f a r u p many o f t h e s l o p e s , acd even o r t o some of t h e p l a t e a u s . Thas, t h e f o r e s t s t a n d s a r e b r o k ~ cz p i c t o d i s c o n t i n z o s segrnects. H u n t i c g o f wild b o a r , browr h a r e , b a r b a r y

p a r t r i d g e , q u a i l and doves o c c u r s a t a moderate l e v e l , b u t poaching i s a s e r i o u s problem. Barbary hyeca and C u v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s could d i s p e r s e i c t o t h e High T e l l from t h e T a n i s i a c D o r s a l mountain range, b u t most of t h e h a b i t a t i s e i t h e r of poor q u a l i t y o r i c s u f f i c i e c t l y p r o t e c t e d . 3.4.2.1. Chardimaou t 6 Le Kef

Ic t h e northwest p a r t of t h e High T e l l , s o u t h o f Chardimaou, t h e r e a r e O l e a - l e n t i s c z s maquis ( ~ u b u s l m i f o l i i i s v a r i a c t i c Humid b i o c l i m a t e s and a Smilax a s p e r a v a r i a c t i c Sabhumid b i o c l i m a t e s ) s i m i l a r t o t h o s e of t h e lower s o u t h s l o p e s of t h e Kroumirie. South end e a s t of t h e O l e a - l e n t i s c u s maquis, a l e p p o p i n e becomes dorninact. Aleppo p i n e o c c u r s throughout t h e High T e l l i c a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h v a r i o u s o t h e r s p e c i e s a c c o r d i n g t o c l i m a t e acd s o i l f a c t o r s .
O r h i g h e r , l e s s d i s t u r b e d s l o p e s a l e p p o p i n e i s o f t e c mixed w i t h holm oak Q u e r c z s I n t h e Subhumid l o c a t i o n s s o s t h o f Ghardimaoa acd n o r t h of Tebozrsosk t h e p i c e acd oak a r e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h s p e c i e s g r o s p s

*.

i c d i c a t e d by: Catacacche c o e r ~ l e a or acd c o ~ t a i c i c g P i s t a c i a t e r e b i c t h u s Acthyllis vulneraria Lonicera implexa Rabia p e r e g r i c a Aspleci..irn adiactum cigrum

Colutea arborescecs Arbatus unedo P h i l l y r e a a c g a s t i f o l i a media Pistacia lectiscus J;;niper;ls oxycedrus r v f e s c e n s Pistacia terebinthus Medicago t u n e t a c a

Degraded a r e a s of t h e s e a s s o c i a t i o n s w i l l c o n t a i n Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s F~rnaca t h y m i f o l i a Cistus villos~.is Cistss m o c s p e l i e n s i s Heliacthemam cineream r ~ b e l l u m

) The summit of Djebel Medjembia ( 2 0 k NW of Le ~ e f i s v e g e t a t e d t o m holm oak acd P i s t a c i a t e r e b i c t h a s w i t h o u t a l e p p o p i n e . Other a s s o c i a t e d

species i n c l u d e :

Ampelodesma m a u r i t a c i c a Calycotome v i l l o s a Cistas villosus Pistacia lectiscus P h i l l y r e a a n g u s t i f o l i a media

Crataegas azarolus Bellis silvestris Cheilacthes pteridioides Prassum ma j u s Orchis provincialis

T h i s a s s o c i a t i o c a l s o o c c u r s a t t h e sammits o f D j e b e l S e r d j , Djebel Bargou and t h e p l a t e a a de Kessera i n t h e T u n i s i a n D o r s a l mouctain range. Soiithwest of t h e r e g i o c of Sabumid b i o c l i m a t e s t h e r e i s a wicding s t r i p o f l a c d i c t h e Semi-arid S u p e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e t h a t i s v e g e t a t e d t o a l e p p o p i c e acd rosemary Rosmaricss o f f i c i c a l i s . The p i c e i s o f t e c poor i c form acd

s p a r s e , acd t h e r k e m a q i s mixed w i t h : Pistacia lectiscus Calycotomc v i l l o s a Globalaria a l y p ~ m Cista mocspeliecsis Erica m u l t i f l o r a Gecista cicerea Teucrium pseado-chamaepitys B-~pleurumb a l a c s a e Lotophyllas argecteus Fumaca e r i c o i d e s F. l a e v i p e s F. t h y m i f o l i a

O t h e r s p e c i e s such a s Ampelodesma m a u r i t a c i c a acd L y g m s ~ a r t u m i n d i c a t e marcous acd gypsoas s o i l s , r e s p e c t i v e l y . T h i s t y p e o f v e g e t a t i o c e x t e n d s from S a k i e t S i d i Y o ~ s s e fon t h e A l g e r i a c b o r d e r a c d winds i t s way t o D j e b c l T o a i l a , c o r t h o f Le Kef. A f t e r t h a t i t i s found on most o f t h e moactaics t o the northwest a s f a r a s Tucis. Acother a s s o c i a t i o c f o a c d b e t w e e c Ghardimaoa acd Le Kef t h a t o c c u r s extecs:vely t h r o i g h o ~ tt h e High T e l l i s t h e g r o u p o f a l e p p o p i c e acd J.ir2peris phoccicea. Species c h a r a c t e r i z i c g t h i s a s s o c i a t i o c i c c l u d e : Pitsracthos chloracthzs Rosmsriczs o f f i c i c a l i s Cjstas libacotis
G l o b . ~ l a r i aa l y ~ ~ m

Famaca t h y m i f o l i a F. e r i c o i d e s Avena bromoides

Te.acrium p s e . ~ d o - c h a m a e ptys i

Ebens pinata T h i s a s s o c i a t i o r i s a l s o commoc i n t h e T a n i s i a c D o r s a l m o a c t a i c r a n g e acd i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of S e m i - a r i d I r f e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e s . The a r i d i - t y c a a s e s v a r g i c g d e c s i t i e s o f a l e p p o p i n e acd j u n i p e r , o f t e n r e s u l t i n g i n v e r y oper. s t a n i s . The m o ~ c t a i cr i d g e s e x t e r - d i c g c o r t h e a s t from Le Kef a r e a g a i c i n t h e Semi-erid S a p e r i o r b i o c l i n a t e acd s u p p o r t a s s o c i a t i o n s o f a l e p p. p i c e , - o holm oak a r d - E r i c a m . d t i f l o r a . his- v e g e t a t i o c t y p e i s s c a t t e r e d o v e r s e v e r s 1 mouctain r i d g e s t o t h e e a s t acd i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:
~

Rosnaricas o f f i c i c a l i s C l o b z l a r i a alypum B.iplear~m b a l a c s a c Famaca t h y n i f o l i a F. e r i c o i d e s

Lotophyllus argecteus Gecista cinerea Avena bromoides S i d e r i t i s iccaca

3.4.2.2.

Le Kef t o t h e T u n i s i a c D o r s a l

The m a j o r i t y o f t h e r e g i o n t o t h e s o a t h and e a s t o f Le Kef i s c ~ l t i v e t e d . 0 e t h e m o a c t a i c t o p s acd r i d g e s a r e h e a v i l y g r a z e d a c d m a c i p , i l a t e d s t a c d s o f a l e p p o p i n e and a s s o c i a t e d v e g e t a t i o c . Most o f t h e a s s o c i ~ t i o r sa r e morn a r i d v a r i a c t s of t h o s e d i s c z s s e d above. Of s p e c i a l i c t c r e s t i s t h e r e p l a c e m e e t of t h e a l e p p o p j c c rosemary Kroap by a l e p p o - p i c e - J z r i p e r z s ~ h o e r i c e as s p . m f e s c e c s . Kacy o f t h e s p e c i e s c h a r a ~ r e r i z j c gttc t v o g r o s p s a r e t h e same. Whec t h e a l e p p o juniper g r o z p i s degraded i t i s i r v a d e d by rosemary.

E r i c a r n u l t i f l o r a group i s a l s o a l t e r e d i n holm oak The a l e p p o p i n e aleppo pine holm oak E r i n a c e a a c t h y l l i s . The t h e aouthern a r e a s t o l a t t e r group has many s p e c i e s i n commoc w i t h t h e degraded v a r i a c t of t h e former.

Most of t h e h i l l s a r e domicated by t h e a l e p p o p i c e rosemary group d e s c r i b e d above. On t h e lower s l o p e s of some o f t h e h i l l s a group of aleppo p i c e jxniper D i p l o t a x i s h a r r a o c c u r s . T h i s i s a grcup t y p i c a l of Semi-arid I c f e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e s o c c u r r i c g i n a r e g i o n of maicly Semia r i d Superior vegetation types. Other s p e c i e s i r d i c a t i n g t h e dry l a r d vegetatioc type are:

Tucica i l l y r i c a ssp. a n g u s t i f o l i u s Artemisia herba a l b a

Anabasis oropedioram Stipa parviflora

Another i c t e r e s t i n g v e g e t a t i o c g r o u p e a s t o f T e b o a r s o ~ ki s t h e t of carob Olea-lectiscus Jasmicum f r a t i c a c s . T h i s grw;p i s f r c q s e c t l y accomparied by:

Arisarum v a l g a r e A r m italscum Rhamcus l y c i o i d e s o l e o i d e s

B e l l e v a l i a rnaaritacica Ambrosicia b a s s i i

The t e r r a i c becomes lower acd f l a t t e r t o t h e e a s t . C ~ l t i v a t i o ci s p r e d o n i r a t e except o c some h i l l s occ3pied by a l e p p ~p i n e acd rosemary, o r i~d e p r e s s i o n s w i t h h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n such a s a t Sebkhet Ko3rzia 3.3.2.3). (~ectioc

3 . 4 .

T u c i s i a c Dorsal

The T a n i s i a n Dorsal i s t h e n o r t h e a s t e r n e x t e n s i o c of t h e A t l a s m o u c t a i c s , which b e g i c i c Morocco, p a s s t h r o u g h A l g e r i a and e n t e r T u n i s i a a t Bou Chebka, 35 k west o f K a s s e r i c e . Guecod and Schoececberger (1965) m c o c s i d e r e d t h e T a c i s i a c D o r s a l a s i n c l u d i n g t h e peaks o f D j e b e l s Chambi, Semmama, Tiouacha, Barbrou, S e r d j , Bargou, F k i r i n e and Zagouan, whkch a r e o r i e c t e d f a i r l y r e g u l a r l y SW-NE. I n t h i s documect t h e T u c i s i a c Dorsal w i l l be c o n s i d e r e d a s i n c l u d i n g t h e above mentioned 'backbone' r i d g e and t h e a d j a c e c t m o a n t a i c s , such a s D j e b e l s B i r e n o , S e r r a g u i a , Oum Jeddour, K r h i l a , Trozza, O u s s e l a t , and Macsoar. The r a n g e a l s o e x t e n d s beyocd D j e b e l Zaghoaac t o Cap Boc and i n c l u d e s D j e b e l s Ressas, Bou K o m i n e and S i d i Abder Rahmace. A s t h e mountains e x t e n d n o r t h e a s t they g r a d u a l l y d e c r e a s e i n a l t i t ~ d e . D j e b e l Chambi i c t h e s o u t h w e s t i s T u c i s i a ' s h i g h e s t p o i c t a t 1544 m while D j . S i d i Abder Rahmane i n t h e c o r t h e a s t h a s a maximum a l t i t a d e of o c l y 637 m. The T u c i s i a n D o r s a l i s composed p r i m a r i l y o f c a l c a r e o a s r m k . S o i l s c a l c i m o r p h with macy d e p o s i t s o f a r e s i ~ i l a r o t h o s e o f t h e High T e l l t s e e d , gypsum acd marccz. Hot, d r y sammers ar.d stormy p r e c i p i t a t i o c p a t t e r c s make t h e a r e a e s p e c i a l l y v u l c e r a b l e t o e r o s i o c . Kacy o f t h e s o z t h s l o p e s a r e s e v e r e l y eroded acd s e d i m e n t l o a d s i c r i v e r s a r e high. The t h r e e most i m p o r t a n t r i v e r s o r i g i c a t i c g i c t h e r a c g e a r e t h e Oueds

Nebhara, E a r g s e l i l ( E l ~ e r d ) acd Zeroud ( E l ~ a t o b )a l l o f which f l o w i n t o

Sebkhet K e l b i a ( s e c t i o n 3.3.2.4). Domicact f o r e s t s p e c i e s o f t h e T u c i s i a n D o r s a l a r e holm oak acd a l e p p o p i c e i c t h e s o a t h w e s t acd c e c t e r , t o which a r e added thuya C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a acd kermes oak i c t h e c o r t h e a s t . Holm oak o f t e r . grows a s a maquis 2-3 m t a l l or. mouctaic sammits o r a s a c u n d e r s t o r y i n a l e p p o p i n e . f o r e s t s o r browc c a l c a r e o u s s o i l s . J u n i p e r u s phoenicea i s commoc i c t h e u c d e r s t o r y of a l e p p o p i c e o e p o o r e r s o i l s and a t lower e l e v a t i o n s . I t becomes t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s p e c i e s i c degraded s t a n d s .
~

3.4.3.1.

D j e b e l Chambi

F i f t e e c k i l o m e t e r s west of K a s s e r i n e i s D j . Chambi, e s s e c t i a l l y t h e f i r s t h i g h peak of t h e T u c i s i a c D o r s a l a s i t e n t e r s from A l g e r i a . From a summit a l t i t u d e of 1544 m , Chambi d r o p s t o 565 m a l t i t u d e a t t h e base. Along w i t h t h e t y p i c a l s u b s t r a t e s o f t h e T u c i s i a n D o r s a l t h e r e a r e a l s o d e p o s i t s of z i n c , g a l e c a , h e m a t i t e ( i r o n o r e ) and t r a c e s o f c o a l ic t h e Chambi massif ( ~ i r .For. 1981 ). The c l i m a t e a t Chambi i s somewhat d i f f e r e n t from nearby K a s s e r i n e , s i c c e t h e p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e i n c r e a s e s 20 mm f o r e v e r y 100 q i n c r e a s e i n a l t i t a d e . Therefore t h e r e l a t i v e l y dry p l a i c s (semi-arid superior) c o n t r a s t g r e a t l y w i t h t h e Subhumid summit, which r e c e i v e s 12.500 mm a n n u a l p r e c i p i t a t i o c i c t h e form of r a i c , h a i l and sr.ow w i t h a d d i t i o n a l m o i s t u r e from c l c ~ z d sacd f o g .

A.

Vegetatioc . A i c t e r e s t i n g s u c c e s s i o c o f holm oak a t t h e summit, p a s s i c g aleppo c p i c e o c t h e s l o p e s acd r e a c h i c g a n e s p a r t o S t i p a t e n a c i s s i n a s t e p p e a t t h e b a s e e x i s t s a t Chambi. The holm oak a s s o c i a t i o n o f t h e sammit i n c l a d e s ( ~ e t e r k e cand Radford 1969, ORSTOK 1962, D i r . For. 1981 ) : Paronychia a r g e n t e a Amelanchier o v a l i s P h i l l y r e a a c g u s t i f o l i a media Sorbus a r i a Cotoneaster racemiflora C. numalaria P r ~ n u sp r o s t r a t a Rosa s i c ~ l a rNA Delphicium b a l a c s a e Campacula a t l a n t i c a Atractylis hamilis Pistacia lentiscus P. t e r e b i n t h u s Cistus salviifolius P i m p i n e l l a tragium Lamium l o c g i f l o r d m Alyssum moctamm a t l a n t i c a S i d e r i t i s incaca tunetana S i l e c o p s i s montaca Stipa foctacesii Astragalus a m a t z s Carex h a l l e r i a n a

rNA rNA

v
A

The a l e p p o p i c e f o r e s t i s accompacied by: Retama s p h a e r o c a r p a Polygala r u p e s t r i s Ococis p a i l l a Erinacea a c t h y l l i s Ic~la moctaca Leuzea c o c i f c r a Tezcriiim pseudo-chanaepitys A s t r a g a l u s monspessulanas A. f o c t a c e s i i n n i d i c a T r i s e t a r i a flavescecs Bromus s q u a r r o s a s J a c i p e r u s oxycedrzs r u f e s c e c s

Rosmaricus o f f i c i n a l i s G l o b z l a r i a alypum Fw,aca t h y m i f o l i a F. e r i c o i d e s F. l a e v i p e s

Cistzs l i b a n o t i i s Heliacthemum ciceret;rn rubellum Avena bromoides T e u c r i m polism C o r o c i l l a micima

. O t h e r a s s o c i a t i o c s of i c t e r e s t ( ~ i r For. 1981) a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

1)

Cistzs villosus Lonicera implexa Calycotome v i l l o s a Ampelodesma mauri t a c i c a Onocis p u s i l l a Hedysanm pallidum S t i p a tenacfssima Juciper-us phoecicea Lotus c r e t i c u s c o l l i c u s Artemisia herba a l b a canpestris G e c i s t a microcephala Olea earopaea o l e a s t e r Rhus t r i p a r t i t u m Retama r a e t a n
A.

P i s t a c i a terebinthus Buplezram g i b r a l t a r i c i i m Bellis silvestris Bilpleunm b a l a n s a e B. spinosum J u n i p e r u s oxycedrus r d f e s c e n s Thymus h i r t u s Teucrium compac tum Thymelaea t a r t o c r a i r a Plactago albicacs Hcliacthemzm h i r t ~ n f i c o m m n P i t a r a c t h o s chloracthas Thymelaea h i r s z t a Pistacia atlactica Hed y s a ram s p j c o s i s s i r n

2)

31

B.

Fauca

Mammals. F a m a of D j e b e l Chambi a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t t o n 4 (Gouvernorat -of ~ a s s e r i c e ) . Featured a n i m a l s i n c l u d e a p p r o x i m a t e l y 200 h v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s G a z e l l e c u v i e r i . A f t e r b e i n g a l m o s t e x t i r p a t e d from T x i s i a d u r i r g c o l o c i a l t i m e s , t h e g a z e l l e s a r e cow i n c r e a s i c g i c comber acd d i s p e r s i n g a l o n g t h e T u n i s i a c D o r s a l (H.P. Mallei-, p e r s . corn. ) Aoudad Ammotragas l e r v i a were e x t i r p a t e d from t h e p a r k and have been r e i n t r o d u c e d . Fozr males escaped from a c a c c l i m a t i z a t i o n e n c l o s a r e and s i x f e m a l e s acd yoang a r e s t i l l i c c a p t i v i t y . Hyena a r e common enough t o have had a s e r i o u s impact o e t h e w j l d b o a r p o p u l a t i o c . Local o f f i c i a l s r e p o r t e d t h a t an a v e r a g e o f 1 0 h y e c a s a r e k i l l e d by v e h i c l e s oe t h e r o a d s n e a r K a s s e r i n e each y e a r .

E i r d s . Mary r a p t o r s , i n c l u d i n g e g y p t i a c v u l t u r e s and t h r e a t e n e d p e r e g r i c e s , r e s t a t Chambi. A wide v a r i e t y o f o t h e r f o r e s t acd s t e p p e species a l s o o c c x ic the area.

A 6723 ha c a t i o c a l park was c r e a t e d a t Chambi ( ~ o c t i o c 5.4.3) i c 1980, which reduced most of t h e d e t r i m e n t a l hurnac i c f l u e n c e s on t h e environmect. Some s m a l l f i r e s s t i l l o c c a r and park f a c i l i t i e s a r e b e i c g c o c s t r u c t e d , but t h e ecosystem i s i c e x c e l l e c t c o c d i t i o c . F i r e s a c t d a l l y improve t h e h a b i t a t f o r t h e g a z e l l e s acd aoudad by c r e a t i r g s m a l l c l e a r i c g s with a b a c d a c t h e r b s . Aleppo p i c e c o r e s a r e c o l l e c t e d e c c u e l l y f o r t h e i r s e e d s , which a r e e a t e r o r s o l d t o c s r s e r i e s . T h i s d o e s c o t a p p e a r t o sigcificactly affect regeceratioc i c the forest.

3 . 4 3 2

D j e b e l Bireno

Die c o r t h of D j . Chanbi acd 35 k c o r t h w e s t of K a s s e r i c e i s D j . m B i r e c o . Averagicg 1100 m i c a l t i t s d e (maximum 1419 m), Bireco i s formed o f marc? and l i m e s t o c e acd h a s h a r d , o f t e c e r o d e d , s o i l s . The b i o c l i m a t e i s Semi-arid S ~ p e r i o r .
A.

Vegetatioc

A t t h e summit t h e v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o n i s a l e p p o p i n e , holm oak and J u c i p e r u s o x y c e d r ~ sr u f e s c e c s . The p i n e i s of poor form and r a t h e r s p a r s e ; t h e oak i s 1-2 m t a l l . Descending dowc t h e s l o p e , t h e p i n e 5 s l a r g e r acd d e c s e r and holm oak i s r e p l a c e d by o t h e r p l a n t s , such as rosemary acd Ampelodesma m e u r i t a c i c a ( o c marnes) A t t h e b a s e o f B5reno t h e p i n e i s a g a i c s m a l l acd s p a r s e due t o e x p l o i t a t i o c , c l e a r i n g and d r i e r c o c d i t i o r s . Associated v e g e t a t i o c i c c l u d e s (ORSTOM 1962):

G l o b z l a r i a alypurn Retama s p h a e r o c a r p a I?. raetam

Cistus villosus C. m o c s p e l i e n s i s Cecista argentea

w i t h gypsous s o i l s i c d i c a t e d by Lygeum spartum and d r i e r l o c a t i o c s i c d i c a t e d by e s p a r t o g r a s s end j u c i p e r . P a s t o r a l s p e c i e s iccliide: Artemesia herba a l b a A. c e m p e s t r i s Medicago t u n e t a n a Lotus sp. Hippocrepis scabra P s o r a l e a bitumicosa C o r o n i l l a juccea C. minima

B.

Fauna

A l o n g racge of c l i f f s below t h e r i d g e oc f a v o r a b l e l o c a t i o c s with l e d g e s , c e v l t i e s and r a p t o r n e s t s . Mammals i n c l a d e hyena, j a c k a l , A f r i c a n c r e s t e d porcupice, A l g e r i a n hedgehog, inclsde:

D j . Bireco provides s e v e r a l c a v e s f o r mammal decs o r red f o x , wild boar, North gundi acd b a t s . Bkrds
T u r t l e dove Ravec

tc

Peregrice Ban: owl Sarbary p a r t r i d g e

Black r e d s t a r t Black w h e a t e a r Chaff i n c h

C.

Icfliiecces

Ic r e s p o c s e t o e r o s i o c problems, some t e r r a c i n g has beec doze on t h e s t e e p e r s l o p e s . Oce f i f t h o f t h e f o r e s t h a s been designated a s r e g e c e r a t i o r - f o r e s t t o p r o t e c t i t from e x p l o i t a t i o c acd g r a z i c g , t h z s echancicg t h e f o r e s t cover and r e d u c i c g e r o s i o c . Although g r a z i c g i s reduced somewhat i n t h e r e g e n e r a t i o n f o r e s t , i t s t i l l occnrs t h e r e acd t h r o s g h o u t t h e f o r e s t . Other f o r e s t u s e i n c l u d e s h a r v e s t i c g rosemary bracches f o r d i s t i l l a t i o n and fuelwood c o l l e c t i o n .

3.4.3.3.

Djebel Mrhilla

One of t h e m o x t a i c s f l a n k i n g t h e main 'backboce' of t h e Tiicisiac D o r s a l i s D j . M r h i l l a . It i s located oc the south s i d e of the D o r s a l , 10 kn c o r t h of S b e i t l a acd 45 km n o r t h e a s t of K a s s e r i n e . The a l t i t s d e i s 1378 m a t t h e h i g h e s t summit acd 1058 m a t t h e second, soiitherr. peak. S l o p e s a r e rocky w i t h many b a r e rock o u t c r o p s .
A.

Vegetatioc

--

The v e g e t a t i o c a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e s i m i l a r t o t h o s e of D j . Chambi ( ~ a e n o t 19651, b s t M r h i l l a is lower and h a s o n l y beec p r o t e c t e d f o r 3 y e a r s , s o i t is more degraded. Aleppo p i c e grows f a i r l y w e l l a t t h e s s m m i t , but t h e holm oak i n t h e u n d e r s t o r y i s s t u c t e d , deformed and v e r y s p a r s e . Eroded, t h i c s o i l s r e s u l t i n many b a r e a r e a s betweer, t h e rosemary h s h e s on t h e s l o p e s . Humus a c c . ~ m u l a t i o c si c t h e w a t e r s h e d s a r e i c d i c a t e d by P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c ~ sacd P h i l l y r e a a n g u s t i f o l i a . J s c i p e r s s phoecicea acd e s p a r t o g r a s s i c d i c a t e t h e d r y c e s s of t h e s l o p e s , acd t h e base of t h e mountaic i s dornir-ated by e s p a r t o g r a s s acd t h e r m o p h i l e s l i k e rosemary acd C l o b u l a r i a a l y p ~ a . A r a r e , North A f r i c a c ecdemic p l a c t recorded f o r KrhLlla i s Sorb.~s ria. a

B.

Fauca

Mammals l i v i n g or. D j . M r h i l l a !include t h e North A f r i c a c ecdemic gufidi, O t h e r r o d e c t s , brow. h a r e , which i s preyed upon by red f o x and j a c k a l s . b a t s , wild b o a r and o c c a s i o n a l hyenas a l s o o c c u r i n t h e a r e a . Birds -i c c l u d e many s p e c i e s Wood ptgeon Barbary p a r t r i d g e Crested l a r k Icfluences o f d i u r n a l and c o c t u r n a l r a p t o r s acd: Goldfinch Chaffinch Hoopoe Black wheatear Nigh t i c g a l e Raven

C.

Although H r h i l l a h a s beec p r o t e c t e d f o r 3 y e a r s , some g r a z i r g s t i l l occurs. 3.4.3.L. D j e b e l Selloum

A r o t h e r moactaic f l a c k i c g t h e maic ' b a c k b o r e ' of t h e T a n i s i a r D o r s a l i s D j . Selloum, l o c a t e d 5 km s o u t h e a s t o f K a s s e r i c e . The a l t i t u d e i s 1248 m e t e r s a t t h e s a m m i t , which i s q u i t e b l u n t and a p p r o a c h e s p l a t e a z form i c some p l a c e s . There a r e s e v e r a l b a r d s o f low c l i f f s ( 2 20 m f r s c g i c g ) t h e s a m a i t , and t h e lower s l o p e s a r e i c t e r r a p t e d by macy rock o z t c r o p s .

The maic v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e e s s e c t i a l l y t h e same a s t h o s e on D j . M r h i l l a acd s i m i l a r fauna wozld a l s o be e x p e c t e d . A p l a c t o f s p e c i a l i r t e r e s t i s t h e T u c i s i a n ecdemic G e c i s t a m i c r o c e p h a l a v a r . t u c e t a c a . 3.4.3.5. Djebel Ousselat 35'42'

I4 9'44'

F o r t y km n o r t h w e s t of Kairouan i s a c o t h e r o u t l y i n g moaetaic of t h e T a c i s i a c D o r s a l . D j . O u s s e l a t h a s a c a l t i t z d e of 895 m , which d e s c e c d s s t e e p l y , w i t h macy c l i f f s , t o t h e Low S t e p p e s . S u b s t r a t e s of t h e s o u t h f a c e a r e o f t e n dominated by marble. S o i l s a r e t h i n , d a r k and v e r y rocky on t h e s l o p e s .
A.

Vegetatioc

Formerly, t h e dominant a s s o c i a t i o r . was a l e p p o p i n e , J u c i p e r d s p h o e c i c e a , D t p l o t a x i s h a r r a ( ~ u e c o t1965), b u t t h e r e i s l t t t l e a l e p p o p j n e remainicg and t h e d e g r a d a t i o n s t a g e s a r e now dominact. On some s l o p e s t h e r e i s l i t t l e s o i l , s p a r s e jur.iper and few h e r b s . A commoc maquis a s s o c i a t i o n a p p e a r s t o be O l e a - l e n t i s c u s , c a r o b . Rosemary o c c z r s , bl;t i s s p a r s e i c macy a r e a s . Nerium o l e a n d e r grows a l o c g t h e s t r e a m beds acd i c m o i s t l o c a t i o c s oe t h e s l o p e s .

B.

Fauca

O u s s e l a t i s i m p o r t a c t i n t e r m s of b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y because i t i s a n e s t i c g l o c a t i o c f o r e g y p t i a c v u l t u r e s , p e r e g r i c e s , acd booted e a g l e s . Macy o t h e r r a p t o r s and o t h e r a c i m a l s p e c i e s o c c u r o c D j e b e l O a s s e l a t ( s e e S e c t i o c 4 , Goavernorat o f ~ a i r o u a c ) .

A l a r g e marble q u a r r y e x i s t s on t h e s o u t h s i d e o f t h e mouctain. G r a z i c g i s s o i n t e n s e t h a t by l a t e summer l i t t l e remains i c t h e herb l a y e r . I c t h e prime r a p t o r c e s t i n g a r e a s , human d i s t u r b a n c e would be d e t r i m e c t a l t o c e s t i c g success.

3.4.3.6.

Djebel S e r d j

35'56'

9'33'

D j e b e l S e r d j i s o r e of t h e maic r i d g e s o f t h e T a n i s i a c D o r s a l . I t l i e s 90 k c o r t h e a s t o f D j . Semmama, 20 k s o u t h e a s t of S i l i a c a and 60 k m m m c o r t h w e s t o f Kairouac. A t t h e h i g h e s t peak t h e a l t i t u d e i s 1357 m. Vegetation The v e g e t a t i o ~i s p a r t i c a l a r l y r i c h o c D j . S e r d j . A t t h e summit i s e meadow a s s o c i a t i o c of h e r b s acd s h r a b s (ORSTOM 1962) c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:
A.

IJA

* * *
=

Pracus p r o s t r a t a Cectaarea incaca C. l a g a s c a e Trifoliam c h e r l e r i Poa b a l b o s a Acthoxacthum odoratum Acdrosace maxima Horcacgia p e t r a e a Geraniam lucidum Ophrys l u t e a s u b f u s c a

Thymas a l g e r i e c s i s T e ~ c r i u mpoliam Armeria p l a n t a g i c e a V i c i a ocobrychioides Acthy l l i s v u l c e r a r i a Alyssum montacum S i d e r i t i s iccaca t x e t a c a Acthemis p u c c t a t a Tulipa s i l v e s t r i s T. a , ~ s t r a l i s

S o u t h e r c l i m i t o f g e o g r a p h i c a l range

Oc c o r t h f a c i c g rock c r e s t s i s a c a s s o c i a t i o ~c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

rNA

Draba h i s p a c i c u s

HO rnaga p e t r a e a

Alyssum montanum Sedum s p .

Ic m o i s t , shaded rocky a r e a s , a d d i t i o n a l s p e c i e s a r e four.d, s a c h a s :

S a x i f raga t r i d a c t y l i t e s S. c a r p e t a n a Arabis auriculata A. t u c e t a n a

ORSTOK (1962) a l s o d e s c r i b e d a n a s s o c i a t i o n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of high p l a t e a ~ sof t h e T u c i s i a c D o r s a l dominated by B a p l e ~ r ~ spjcos:m acd m

A s t r a g a l i s f o r t a n e s i i s s p . numidicds. v e g e t a t i o e t e c d s t o be composed o f : P o p ~ l u sa l b a Fraxinus a n g u s t i f o l i a Ulmus c a m p e s t r i s Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Rosa s p . Nerium o l e a c d e r Hedioscladium n o d i f l o r u m

Along permacect s t r e a m s t h e

Ranunczlus macrophylla V i t i s vicifera Carex remota Poa t r i v i a l i s Equisetum maximam Clycera f l u i t a c s

On t h e upper s l o p e s t h e r e a r e a l i t t l e o v e r 1 , 0 0 0 c o r k oak growicg f a r s o u t h of t h e normal racge. There a r e a l s o s t a n d s o f t h e r a r e maple t r e e 1962, P e t e r k e c acd growirg i c a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h (ORSTOM Radford 1969
rCA

vNA

Qaercus i l e x Sorbus a r i a Rosa p o a z i c i Crataegas azarolus R a c ~ c c ~ l u sc a r i a fi )!elacdrisn d i v a r i c a t a m Brassica gravicae Vicia ocobrychioides V i o l a mzcbyaca

Gcracism r o b e r t i a c a m purpureum Tamus conmznis Rabss a l m i f o l i z s Delphlcium emarginatsm Lamiam l o c g i f l o r i i m cumidicum Scrophalaria laevigata Arabis verca Festaca ovica Armeria p l a c t a g i c e a

Some o f t h e lower s l o p e s have holm oak dominated v e g e t a t i o c s i m i l a r t o t h a t of D j . Eargoa ( s e e f o l l o w i r g s e c t i o c ) and o t h e r s have v e g e t a t i o c t y p i c a l of d r y , degraded maritime t o c o n t i n e n t a l a l e p p o p i c e a s s o c i a t i o c s w i t h marne acd humus acc;lmalatiocs a s d e s c r i b e d f o r D j . Mansozr. There a r e a l s o a b o u t 1 , 5 0 0 ha o f Maktar c y p r e s s C a p r e s s u s s e m v e r v i r e c s s s p . cumidica nixed w i t h a l e p p o p i c e i c t h e r a v i n e s .

Faaca of t h e r e g i o c i s l i s t e d i c S e c t i o n 4 ( ~ o u v e r c o r a tof ~ i l i a n a ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i s a c e x t r o a r d i c a r y p o p u l a t i o c of b a t s i c o r ? of t h e c a v e s ( ~ s s i ,p e r s . comm.). C. Influences

The f o r e s t s a r e managed and e x p l o i t e d i n a manner t h a t i s n o t d e t r i m e n t a l t o t h e o v e r a l l v e g e t a t i o c c o v e r . However, e x p l o i t a t i o c acd g r a z i n g i c some a r e a s a p p e a r s t o have allowed s e r i o u s e r o s i o c t o s t a r t . mocspessalacum and c o r k oak a r e i c such low The r a r e maple t r e e numbers t h a t e x p l o i t a t i o c w i t h o u t s e r f o u s r e g e n e r a t i o r e f f o r t s wmld t h r e a t e c t h e i r coctinued presecce. 3 . 4 3 . D j e b e l Bargou 36'04 * 9 9'36 ' E

K o r t h e a s t of D j . S e r d j acd 20 k e a s t o f S i l i a c a i s D j e b e l Sargoz. m i The summit a l t i t ~ d e s 1268 m acd t h e s l g p e s a r e moderate t o s t e e p . A racge of c l i f f s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 10 53 m h i g h , r e a r o th? c r e s t a t Z c h i l a , h a s s e v e r a l i r t e r e s t i c g c a v e s acd l e d g e s .

A.

Vegetation

The v e g e t a t i o c i s very r i c h , w i t h a h i g h meadow a s s o c i a t i o c a t t h e summit, s i m i l a r t o t h a t d e s c r i b e d f o r D j e b e l S e r d j i c t h e p r e v i o s s s e c t i o c . Below t h e meadow i s a hblm oak dominated a s s o c i a t i o r (ORSTOM ) 1962). w i t h Acer monspessulanum i c some a r e a s ( a s a t D j . ~ e r jd and o t h e r areas vegetated to: Pkstacia terebicthus L o n i c e r a implexa Prasium m j u s a Ruscus hypophyllum Heliacthemam glaucum Alysszm s e r p y l l i f o l i a m A. moctanam a t l a c t i c u m Asplecium adiantam cigrum Geranium lucidam G . r o b e r t i a c a m Firpaream Fumaria c a p r e o l a t a Cynosarus e l e g a c s P i m p i c e l l a tragium S a t u r ej a a l p i c a etc..

S t r e a m s i d e v e g e t a t i o n i s a l s o s i m i l a r t o t h a t oc D j . S e r d j , with some Typha a c g a s t i f o l i a a t t h e base of t h e mouctaie. I n degraded l o c a t i o c s , where t h e humzs h a s been removed, holm oak i s r e p l a c e d by s l e p p o p i c e and Rosmaricss o f f i c i c a l i s Globularia a l y p m Erica mzltiflora Ericacea a c t h y l l i s etc..

I c t h e lower p i n e f o r e s t s , v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o c s s i m i l a r t o t h o s e d e s c r i b e d f o r D j . Mansodr o c c a r w i t h c o c t i c e c t a l s p e c i e s s s c h a s J c c i p e r u s oxvcedras r e p l a c i c g t h e maritime s p e c i e s . Ac a s s o c i a t i o r i a p o r t a c t i c t h e 'i'zcisiac D o r s a l i s t h a t of c a r o b , O l e a - l e c t i s c u s , Rhamnss l y c i o i d e s s s p . o l e o i d e s maqais; w i t h Myrtas cornmanis acd C r a t a e g a s a z a r o l u s mixed i n on D j . Bargoa.

B.

Faaca

t F a x a a r e l i s t e d i r S e c t i o c 4 ( G o 7 ~ v e r c o r a of ~ i l i a c a ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i s t h o p r e s e c c e of North A f r i c a c c r e s t e d p o r c z p i c e , hyeca and cesticg peregrines.

O l i v e s a t t h e b a s e of t h e mountain have been g r a f t e d acd tended s i c c e Romac t i m e s . Edges o f t h e lower s t r e a m s a r e c u l t i v a t e d acd g r a z i n g o c c u r s throughout t h e y e a r . Some rosemary b r a n c h e s a r e h a r v e s t e d f o r d i s t i l l a t i o c , b a t n o t i n g r e a t amounts, and t h e )Iyrtus i s commoc enough f o r e f f e c t i v e h a r v e s t i c g . Ic o r d e r t o e c s u r e a n a d e q a a t e f o r e s t c o v e r t o p r e v e n t e r o s i o n , u o o d c a t t i n g i s c o t p e r m i t t e d . Macy of t h e b a r e a r e a s s t i l l show s i g c s o f e r o s i o n . 3.4.3.8. D j e b e l Macsoar
36'17'

: :

9'42'

Corth of t h e backbone r i d g e of m o a c t a i n s , 40 k s o a t h u e s t of Zaghosac m and 20 k s o u t h w e s t of l e Fahs i s D j e b e l Macsozr. The s z m a i t a l t i t ~ d e s m i 678 m acd t h e topography (moderate t o s t e e p s l o p e s ) acd s s b s t r a t c s (marcoc a l c a r e o a s ) a r e t y p i c a l of t h e T u c i s i a c D o r s a l . Two o r t h r e e permacect s p r i c g s a f f e c t t h e w a t e r regime o f t h e s l o p e s , l o c a l l y f a v c ~ r i c gr i p a r i a n p l a c t s . The b i o c l i m a t e i s Semi-arid I n f e r j o r .

A.

Vegetatioc

D j . Hansour i s f a i r l y w e l l covered by a l e p p o p i n e , a v e r a g i n g 5-7 m t a l l . Low, shrubby holm oak i s s c a t t e r e d i r . p a r t s of t h e f o r e s t . O c c a s i o c a l c l e a r i n g s i n t h e f o r e s t c o v e r a r e domicated by rosemary and h e a t h e r . The f o r e s t was burned i n 1938 and t h e r e have beec some s e l e c t i o r . c u t s , which a f f e c t s p e c i e s compostion. The g e c e r a l v e g e t a t i o n p r o f i l e r e p o r t e d by ORSTOM ( 1 962) i s a s f o l l o w s :
Picus helepecsis Quercus i l e x accompacied by t h e r m o p h i l e s and c a l c i c o l e s Rosnarinus o f f i c i n a l i s G l o b u l a r i a alypum B;pleul-m b a l a c s a e Fzmaca thymif o l i a F. l a e v i p e s
G.

Gecista argentea cicerea Teucriam poliam Ebecus p i c c a t a Aveca bromoides

etc...

A maritime i c f l i e c c e i s shown by t h e p r e s e c c e of

Erica multiflora w h i l e t h e d r i e r s i t e s a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by J a c i p e r s s phoecicea

Fumaca a r b i ca

S t i pa t e c c a c i s s i m a

0 c marcous s o i l s some s p e c i e s a r e r e p l a c e d by Ampelodesma n a ~ r i t a r i c a . Humas a c c z m a l a t i o n s a r e i c d i c a t e d by Pistacia lentiscas Phillyrea acgastif olia Degradation caused by f i r e s i s i c d i c a t e d by Cistus villosas C i s t . 2 ~m o c s p e l i e c s i s Jasmican f r i i t i c a c s

T h i s v e g e t a t i o n p r o f i l e i s t y p i c a l of t h e a l e p p o p i c e f o r e s t s from D j . Semmama t o D j . F k i r i n e .

B.

Fauca

The f a u n a i s composed of t h e s p e c i e s l i s t e d f o r mountaicoas a r e a s i c t h e Gouvernorat of Zaghouac ( S e c t i o c 4 ) . O f s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t i s t h e p r e s e c c e of North A f r i c a c c r e s t e d p o r c u p i c e s acd ( r a r e l y ) hyecas.

C.

Influences

Hamac i c f l a e c c e s i c c l s d e managemect c a t s , o c c a s i o c a l P;elwood g a t h e r i c g , acd g r a z i c g . The s o i l s a r e s s b j e c t t o e r o s i o c i f t h e v e g e t a t i o c c o v e r i s removed.

3 4 3 . 9

D j e b e l Zaghouan

I r u n e d i a t e l y s o u t h o f t h e c i t y of Zaghouan and 57 km ~ 0 2 t hof T a c i s i s D j . Zaghouac. A s e r i e s o f moderate t o s t e e p s l o p e s i n t e r s p e r s e d w i t h rock o u t c r o p s acd c l i f f s r i s e t o a summit a t 1295 m a l t i t u d e . Racy of t h e rocky dome o u t c r o p s f r a c t u r e , b r e a k o f f , and f a l l , r e s a l t i n g i c low c l i f f s and rock s t r e w c s l o p e s . Snow i s common i n t h e w i n t e r and t h e a c n u a l 500 mm) is h i g h e r t h a n t h a t o f t h e s a r r o u c d i c g p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e (450 area.

A.

Vegetation

The h i g h a l t i t u d e , m a r i t i m e acd c o c t i n e n t a l i n f l u e n c e s acd n o r t h e r c l o c a t i o c have r e s u l t e d i c a d i v e r s i t y o f v e g e t a t i o c a s s o c i a t i b n s on D j . Zaghouac. 0 c t h e summit a s p a r s e , low-shrub, meadow-like v e g e t a t i o c domicates. Holm oak d o m i c a t e s aroucd t h e summit acd t h e h i g h s l o p e s o f t h e c o r t h s i d e . The holm oak a s s o c i a t i o n i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t of Dj. Bargo;, w i t h t h e a d d i t i o c o f O r c h i s p r o v i n c i a l i s , C o r o c i l l a v a l e n t i c a acd Tulipa s i l v e s t r i s . P a r t s of t h e holm oak f o r e s t a r e a l s o c h a r a c t e r i z e d by t h e & r m o r ! s p e s s ~ l a c u s a s s o c i a t i o c d e s c r i b e d f o r Dj. S e r d j . Ac a l e p p o p i c e f o r e s t s i m i l a r t o t h a t of Dj. Macsour d o m i c a t e s t h e s p p e r s l o p e o r t h e west s i d e . Most of t h e lower s l o p e s a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by d e g r a d e t i o r - s t a g e s of t h e p i c e f o r e s t . The i c f l z e c c e of t h e m a r i t i m e c l i m a t e ox t h e v e g e t a t i o c r e s z l t s i c t h e appearacce of: Qaercus coccifera Callitris articulate Erica m ~ l t i f l o r a Fumaca a r b i c a

The maic d e g r a d a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o c f o t h e l o w e r s l o p e s t e c d s toward Oleal e c t i s c z s , c a r o b , w i t h s c a t t e r e d g r o v e s o f a l e p p o p i c e z p t o 7 m t a l l acd: Pi.stacia terebicthus Jasmicum f r ~ t i c a n s Calycotome v i l l o s a Phillyrea arg;stifolia

media

O c c a s i o c a l f i r e s a l l o w i c v a s i o c o f b a r r e d a r e a s by
C ~ S ~ Um o c s p e l i e c s i s S

Ampelodesma m a a r i t a ~ i c a

C.

villosus

albe a s s o c i a t i o c d o m i c a t e s . Some Alocg t h e lower s t r e a m s a P o p ~ l u s a l e p p o p i n e , a c a c i a , acd Maktar c y p r e s s have b e e r p l a c t e d on t h e m o u n t a i r . A s p e c i e s o f i n t e r e s t o c c u r i c g i c t h e maquis i s Euphorbia d e c d r o i d e s . A r a r e T u c i s i a c endemic s p e c i e s i s L i c a r i a r e f l e x a v a r . daumeti. P e t e r k e c and Radford (1969) r e p o r t e d t h e f o l l o w i c g r a r e p l a c t s f o r Dj. Zaghouac:
P h a g c a l o c cycodon Lamiam l o c g i f lorum S i c a p s i s p a b e s c e c s v. p o l y c l a d e S a x i f r a g a dichotoma ( v e r y r a r e )

B.

Fauna

Fauna of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t a r e t h e many s p e c i e s of r a p t o r s t h a t Rest on l e d g e s and i n c l i f f c a v i t i e s oc D j . Zaghozac, such a s e g y p t i a r v u l t u r e , golden e a g l e , p e r e g r i r e acd k e s t r e l ( s e e S e c t i o n 4 , Gouvernorat of ~aghouar)

C.

Influences

There have been some problems i n t h e p a s t w i t h p e o p l e c o l l e c t i n g r a p t o r eggs a t D j . Zaghoaac. A s p e c i a l g u a r d i a n i s now a s s i g n e d t o t h e major c e s t s i t e s d u r i n g t h e b r e e d i n g s e a s o n . S m a l l f i r e s occur almost e v e r y y e a r , b a t t h e y a r e q a i c k l y l o c a t e d acd e x t i n g u i s h e d , s o t h e y do l i t t l e damage. The f o r e s t a s c l a s s i f i e d a s unmacaged, which means no e x p l o i t a t i o n o r improvemert c u t s . Ic p r i c c i p l e a l a r g e p a r t of t h e n o r t h s l o p e i s c l o s e d t o g r a z i n g , which r e d u c e s t h e g r a z i c g i m p a c t s , b u t d o e s n o t e l i m i n a t e them. Some members of t h e l o c a l o r n i t h o l o g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n f e e l t h e s i t e i s i m p o r t a c t ecoiigh t o be d e s i g c a t e d a n a t i o c a l park. 3.4.3.1C. D j e b e l Marchana, D j . Z i t , D j . Bou S a f r a

N o r t h e a s t of Zaghoaac, j a s t b e f o r e t h e T a c i s i a c D o r s a l e x t e c d s i n t o 500 m h i g h . The mountains a r e Cap Bor, i s a t r i o of m o x t a i r s 350 c h a r a c t e r i z e d by moderate s l o p e s w i t h numerous rock o s t c r o p s . S u b s t r a t e s a r e d i v e r s e , i n c l a d i r g l i m e s t o r e , marce acd gypsum covered by s h a l l o w , well d r a i r e d s o i l s .

A.

Vegetatior

A t t h e s s r n m i t o f D j . Z i t , t h e v e g e t a t i o c i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of holm oak s t a c d s . The m a r i t i m e i c f l a e c c e o r t h e v e g e t a t i o c a s s o c i a t i o c h a s r e s u l t e d i c thuga a r d kerrnes oak r e p l a c i c g a l e p p o p i c e a s t h e domicact t r e e s p e c i e s i c most of t h e f o r e s t s . A m a r i t i m e i r f l u e c c e i s a l s o i c d i c a t e d by t h e p r e s e r c e of E r i c a m a l t i f l o r a . The thuya f o r e s t o r D j . Z i t c o c t a i c s many of t h e s p e c i e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a l e p p o p i r e f o r e s t s ( a s d e s c r i b e d f o r D j . ~ a c s o a r )a s w e l l a s L a v a r d z l a s t o e c h a s a r d E r f c a a r b o r e a .

D j e b e l Karchaca h a s a l a r g e O l e a - l e c t i s c u s maquis oc t h e s o a t h s i d e ( ~ a s s e racd V e r c e t 1958) acd a t Bou S a f r a t h e thuya f o r e s t i s accompacied by: Rosmariras of f i c i n a l i s Calycotome v i l l o s a G l o b a l a r i a alypam Ampelodesma m a a r i t a r i c a Stipa teccacissjma P h a l a r i s bulbosa Genista aspathaloides C i s t u s monspeliensis C. v i l l o s u s Lygeum spartum

B.

Faara

F a x a of t h e 3 m o z r t a i c s i s t y p i c a l of t h a t l i s t e d f o r m o . x t a i c o a s a r e a s ir. t h e G o z v e r r 3 r a t o f Zaghnzar ( ~ e c t i o r .4).

D j e b e l Bou S a f r a h a s been a permanent r e s e r v e s i n c e a b o u t 1980. Hunting, g r a z i n g and v e g e t a t t o c c u t t i ~ g r e p r o h i b i t e d . S i c c e t h e r e i s a a f a i r v e g e t a t i o c c o v e r , e r o s i o n i s c o t s e v e r e and t e r r a c i c g acd p l a c t i n g h a s been done t o r e d u c e f u t u r e problems. Removal o f v e g e t a t i o c w v ~ l d leave t h e s l o p e s very vulcerable t o erosion. 3.4.3.11. D j e b e l Reseas

m Djebel R e s s a s i s 25 k s o 2 t h e a s t of Tunis. S h a r p c l i f f s r i s e up from moderately s t e e p s l o p e s a t t h e b a s e t o a peak 795 m k c a l t i t u d e . Vegetatioc Thuya i s t h e dominact t r e e o f D j . R e s s a s , and i t grows i c a s s o c i a t i o n with g a r r i g i i e s composed o f c o m b i n a t i o c s o f o l e a - l e c t i s c u s and ( ~ 1 - ~ a m r o s n i 1979):
A.

Q ~ e r c acoccifer-~s s Calycotorne v i l l o s a Periploca laevigat a Rhamcus l y c i o i d e s Prasium majiis Jasmicsm f r u t i c a c s Cistzs m o n s p e l i e n s i s F r a x i n a s dinorpha

Rosmarinzs of f i c i n a l i s Lavacdula m s l t i f i d a Thymus c a p i t a t a s Teacrizm p o l i ~ ~ r n G e n i s t a c i c e r e a s. c i c e r e a Erica miiltiflora Phillyrea acgiistifolia

and macy s p e c i e s o f h e r b s and g r a s s e s ; c o t a b l y : Brachypodium ramosam B. Distachyum Cyclamec persicurn Tarnus cornmzeis D a c t y l i s glomerata Ampelodesma m a u r i t a c i c a

There i s a l s o an a s s o c i a t i o c k n d i c a t e d by: Brassica c r e t i c a and a meadow a s s o c i a t i o n c o c t a i c i c g : Stipa capensis Erycgium i l i c i f o l i u m Atractylis caccellata Eaphorbia d e c d r o i d e s

B.

Fauca

Djebel R e s s a s i s o f s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t a s a prime c e s t i c g l o c a t i o c f o r r a p t o r s . Recorded s p e c i e s i c c l u d e p e r e g r i n e , k e s t r e l acd e g y p t i a c v u l t ~ r e . O t h e r fauna t h a t o c c u r i c t h e a r e a a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t i o c 4 ( ~ o a v e r c o r a to f ~ x i s )

C.

Icfluecces

The m o u c t a i c s l o p e s a r e grazed and some v e g e t a t i o n c u t t i c g may o c c u r , b u t t h e s t e e p c l i f f s p r o t e c t t h e h i g h e r v e g e t a t i o n acd t h e c e s t i c g s i t e s . 3.4.3.12. D j e b e l Bou Korn5ne 36'42' N 1 0 ~ 2 0 'E

I n t h e west s i d e o f Hammam-Lif, 1 8 km s o u t h e a s t of T u c i s , i s t h e double-peaked D j e b e l Bou Kornice. From an a l t i t ~ d e f 1 0 m , s t e e p s l o p e s o r f s e t o a n e l e v a t i o c of 576 m a t t h e h i g h e s t peak. Limestoce acd marce s u b s t r a t e s t y p i c a l o f t h e T u n i s i a c D o r s a l a r e weathered by almost 420 mm o f a n c u a l p r e c i p i t a t i o n a t t h e b a s e , which i c c r e a s e s t o 660 700 mm a t t h e szmmit.

A.

Vegetatioc

The domicact v e g e t a t i o c t y p e s of Boz K o r c i c e a r e thuya f o r e s t s acd maqzis, which c o v e r 90dp o f t h e mouctaic. Average h e i g h t s of thzya i c t h e f o r e s t e d z o c e s a r e 6-7 m. Stacds of aleppo p i c e , pigroc pice P i r s s picea, Acacia c y a c o p h y l l a , C u p r e s s z s s p . and e u c a l y p t ~ shave b e e r p l e r t e d oc v a r i o s s p a r t s of t h e mouctaic. O t h e r p l a c t s p e c i e s o c c u r r i c g o r Boa K o r c i r e a r e l i s t e d i c f i g u r e 9.

Tht. f a u r a o f B3u K o r c i c e i s v e r y d i v e r s e ( s e e S e c t i o r 4 , ~ z r i s ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t is t h e occurrecce of Borth Africac c r e s t e d porczpice, wild b o a r , k a f f i r c a t , s e v e r a l s p e c i e s o f b a t s , t h r e a t e c e d p e r e g r i n e f a l c o c s acd e g y p t i a c v u l t u r e s . C u v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s were observed i c 1930.

The f o r e s t c o v e r o f Boa K o r c i c e h a s p r o t e c t e d t h e s l o p e s from s e r i o z s e r o s i o c problems, b z t t e r r a c i n g was doce on some of t h e s l o p e s t o p r e v e n t p o s s i b l e f u t u r e problems. There a r e a few p l a c t e t i o c s oc t h e mouctaic acd o l i v e g r o v e s acd v i n y a r d s a t t h e b a s e . O c c a s i o c a l l y , c a p e r C a ~ ~ a r i s s p i e o s z s buds acd o t h e r f o r e s t p r o d a c t s a r e c o l l e c t e d , b s t t h e most d i s r u p t i v e humac i n f l u e n c e o c t h e mouctaic i s a s e r i e s of 9 q a a r r i e s e x t r a c t i n g gypsum acd c o n s t r u c t i o n m a t e r i a l . D j e b e l Bou K o m i n e i s u n i n h a b i t e d and h a s been p r o t e c t e d from g r a z i c g s i n c e 1929 ( p e t e r k e n and Radford 1969). P a r t o f t h e moactaic was e s t a b l i s h e d a s a n a t i o c a l park on 1 7 February 1987. There a r e p l a n s f o r macagemeet and c o c s t r u c t i o c o f p a r k f a c i l i t i e s ( s e e S e c t i o c 5.4.5).

F l o r a of Djebel BOJ Kom.ice ( a f t e r Dir. For. 1985, El-Hamrouci 1979) T r e e s and s h r u b s : Arbutus unedo . Pistacia lectiscus Calli tris a r t i c u l a t a Ceratocia s i l i q a a P. t e r e b i n t h ~ s Crataegus a z a r o l u s Quercus i l e x Myrtas cornmanis Q. c o c c i f e r a Olea europaea o l e a s t e r Rhus s p . P h i l l y r e a a n g a s t i f o l i a media Tamarix sp. Low, woody p l a c t s : A r t i r r h i r a m majus A s p a r a g ~ sa c z t i f o l i a s Calycotome v i l l o s a Capparis s p i r o s a Chamaerops h z m i l i s Cistss l i b a c o t u s C. morspeliecsis Cororilla valertica Ephedra b r o u n a i l l e s Erica multiflora Genista sp. G l o b a l a r i a alypum Jasmirum f r u t i c a c s Kectrartus ruber Lavacdula m u l t i f i d a Lavatera a l b i a Lonicera implexa Nerium o l c a r d e r Opmtia ficus icdica Periploca laevigata Prasium m j a s a Rosmarinxi o f f i c i c a l i s Ruscus hypophyllum Ruta c h a l e p e c s i s Smilax a s p e r a Thymelea h i r s z t a Thymus v u l g a r i s Zizyphus l o t u s

Herbs a r d g r a s s e s : Aceras acthropophorum r Ophrys scolopax R l l i . s m cupaci 0. sub-fasca A. pariculatum 0. l e n t h r e d i c i f i r a Orchis acatolica Ampelodesma m a a r i t a c i c a 0. c o l l i r e a Arisararn v n l g a r e 0. l o n g i o i a l i s Arrhexathersm e l a t u s 0. p r o v i n c i a l i s Asplecisrr. adiantum Brachypodium rarnoszm 0. p a p i l i o c a c e a Brassica c r e t i c a Polypodium v a l g a r e Calchicum c u p a r i Ranucculus f lammula Cyclamec persicum R. s p i c a t u s Feriala commucis Romulea bulbocadium Gladiolas byzarticus S c i l l a aztamnalis I r i s juncea S. l s n g u l a t a I. p l a r i f o l i a S. r m i d i c a Le;coinm a . ~omnale t Sedum coerulesm Narcissus e l e g a r s S. sediforme Ophrys a t l e c t i c a Stipa tecacissina G. r s s e a Tulipa s i l v e s t r i s G . l.;tea Urgicea maritima

r = rare placts v = very r a r e p l a c t s

3.4.3.13.

D j e b e l S i d i Abder Rahmane

36'49'

1:

1 0 ~ 4 5 'E

O r t h e l a r g e pecics:.ila o f Cap Boc i s D j . S i d i Abder Rahnace, which r i s e s t o a c a l t i t u d e o f 637 m. Moderately s t e e p s l o p e s d r o p q c i c k l y t o t h e C . d f of T c c i s o r t h e c o r t h w e s t s i d e acd l e v e l oy.it t o low p l a i c s t o t h e s o u t h e a s t . The m a r i t i m e i c f l i i e c c e n o d e r a t e s t e m p e r a t i i r e s acd r e s c l t s i c f a i r l y h i g h a ~ r u a l a i n f a l l augmented by f r e q u e r t f o g a r d h i g h humidity. r
A.

Vegetatioc

C o c d i t i o c s or. D j . S i d j . Abder Rahnace p r e v i o z s l y f a v o r e d a c o r k oak f o r e s t a l o n g t h e e c t i r e r i d g e , which i s u c c s i i a l s i r x e c o r k oak i s more c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e K r o u m i r i e , f a r t o t h e west. 60w o c l y a few c o r k oak s t a c d s remaic. The c i i r r e c t domicact s p e c i e s i s k e r n e s oak, which domicates t h e c o a s t a l c l i m a x v e g e t a t i w from E i z e r t e t o l!abecl (ORSTON 1962). Thiiya a l s o d o m i r a t e s some f o r e s t s t a c d s oe t h e so;;theast s i d e acd i s d i s p e r s e d i c t h e f o r e s t s acd maquis throzghoiit t h e moncteic. 'ii'here t h e thiiya o r kermes oak f o r e s t h a s b e e r d e g r a d e d , e c O l e a - l e c t i s c s . , c a r o b naqliis i s p r e s e c t . S r i a l l s t a e d s of a l e p p o p5r.e a r d holm oak s i m i l a r t.2 t h o s e d e s c r i b e d f o r o t h e r n 3 e r t a i r . s o f t h e T , x i s S a c 3 3 r s a l a r e fo2r.2, a s w e l l a s P 3 p a l c s e l b a a s s o c j a t i o r s a1or.g t h e r i v e r s .

The c o r k oak f o r e s t c o t t a i t s s e v e r a l s p e c i ~ sc k a r a c t f r i s t i c o f t h e
Krozmirfe,

szch a s :

Cytisus t r i f l o r ~ s Carex s j l v a t i c a E a r ~ c c ~ l c icaria fs R . spi.cat1.i~ a s w e l l a s n a y o t h e r s p e c i e s more t y p i c a l of Cap B3e a r d t h v a r y i c g ~ c o c d i t i o r s of s o i l , c l i c a t e acd a l t j t n d e :

?

r TA

Brassica c r e t i c a a t l a c t i c a Diacthcs rcpicola hermaecsis C e r t a u r e a gymcocarpa papposa Smilax a s p e r a ( h ~ m u s ) Tamus conmccis " J c c i p e r n s oxycedrus (sacdy s o i l s )

A c a c t h ~ sn o l l i s p l a t y p h y l l n s ScabS.osa f a r 5 c o s a A c t h g l l i s barba j o v i s C e r i s t a ~ l c i c a( a c j d s c i l s ) Lavecdda stoechas " E - ~ p h o r b i a ivocae (s.imnit) b

acd degraded z o c e s w i t h : Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s T r i f o l i u n scabrum Fcmaca t h y m i f o l i a J u c i p e r c s phoecj c e a Cistiis v i l l o s ~ i s Phagealoe r u p e s t r e

Kernes oak o f t e c r e p l a c e s c o r k oak i c i t s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a s s o c i a t i o c s o r i s fo1.ir.d i r . a v a r i e t y of o t h e r a s s o c i a t i o c s , whlch a r e d e s c r i b e d b:~ OESTO;: ( : 9 6 2 ) .

B.

Fauna

Cap Bon S s a n i m p o r t a c t s i t e f o r m i g r a t i c g r a p t o r s ( S e c t i o c 2 . 4 ) acd tnacy s t o p t o r e s t on Dj. S i d i Abder Rahmace. Common fauna of Cap Boc a r e l i s t e d kn S e c t i o n 4 ( ~ o u v e r n o r a t o f ~ a b e u l ) .

C.

Influences

Dj. S f d i Abder Rahmane i s u n f n h a b i t e d and t i m b e r h a r v e s t i n g i s n o t allowed, but g r a z i c g i s heavy and v e g e t e t i o c c u t t i n g i s n o t uncommon. The high p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e s make t h e s l o p e s s e n s i t i v e t o e r o s i o n when t h e vegeta t i o n c o v e r i s removed.

3.4.4.

M o u c t a i r s o f t h e High S t e p p e

Between t h e T u c i s i a c D o r s a l and t h e c h o t t s a r e macy s c a t t e r e d moantaic c h a i n s i c t h e h i g h s t e p p e . Some o f t h e c h a i n s a r e a c e x t e c s i o c o f t h e S a h a r a c A t l a s (IUCN 1987). The g e c e r a l o r i e c t a t i o c o f t h e rnosctaic c h a i r s i s E-W a l o n g t h e c o r t h e r c b o r d e r o f t h e c h o t t s , acd NE-SkI n e a r t h e Tuniskan D o r s a l . Varyicg i n a l t i t u d e from 600 m t o o v e r 1100 rn, t h e mouctaics a r e g e c e r a l l y rocky ( c a l c a r e o u s ) acd e r o d e d . Low p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e s and a c i c l a c d l o c a t i o c g i v e t h e mozntains Semi-arid t o A r i d b i o c l i m a t e s . Most o f t h e r a i r f a l l s i c wicter c l o u d b u r s t s ar.d s t o r m s , which c a u s e s much o f t h e w a t e r t o rx o f f t h e s u r f a c e i n t o aeasocal streams. This runoff l e a v e s l e s s water f o r v e g e t a t i o c grbwth and i c c r e a s e s e r o s i o c problems. V e g e t a t i o n . Formerly maKy o f t h e m o a c t a i c s were f o r e s t e d t o a l e p p o pine. Today Inbst o f t h e p i c e h a s d i s a p p e a r e d , l e a v i c g or-lp r e l i c s of t h e o r i g i n a l f o r e s t w i t h a few p i c e t r e e s acd a g a r r j g a e of J u c i ~ e r J s hoecicea. Ir g e c e r a l , t h e v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o r s of t h e degraded :metair. f o r e s t ecosystems i c c l u d e (ORSTOO 1966 2) : J a c i p e r z s phoenicea Globularia a l y p m Cecista cicerea Lavacdula m a l t i f i d a Periploca laevigata o r , o r the high plateazs: Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s Cistas libacotis Helianthemum semi g l a b r ~ n Thymelea t a r t o n - r a i r a Aveca bromoides I c t h e r e g i o c o f S i d i Bou Zid Globalaria a l y ~ n Ebecus p i c c a t a Famaca t h y m i f o l i a F. e r i c o i d e s A s t r a g a l u s i c c a c u s cammularizm Phymcs a l g e r i e t s i s Fanace thymif o l i a Ebecus p i c c a t a Phagcaloc x- pestr re T s l i p a s i l v e s t r i s s. a u s t r a l i s

Cafsa, the f o r e s t r e l i c s ofter coctaic: Jasmican f s u t i c z c s P r a s i a n ma j u s Aspleniam a d i a c t a m cigrum

Olea e z r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Pistacia atlactica Fumana l a e v i p e s P h i l l y r e a a n g u s t i f o l i a media

I n t e r s p e r s e d i n t h e f o r e s t r e l i c a s s o c i a t i o c s and d o m i c a t i n g t h e v e g e t a t i o n o f some o f t h e m o u c t a i c s i s e s p a r t o g r a s s S t i p a t e n a c i s s i m a . The lower s l o p e s a r e domicated by e s p a r t o g r a s s acd G e c i s t a ~ i c r o c e p h a l a c a e t e l l a t a acd t h e p l a i n s a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a c e s p a r t o g r a s s : 8 t : p ; b i o c 3.5). Fauca. Fauca o f s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i c t h e m o u c t a l r s of t h e high s t e p p e i c c l s d e t h e North A f r i c a c ecdemic g u c d i , ? l o r t h A f r i c z c c r e s t e d porc;pires, r a r e h y e c a s , o c c a s i o c a l C z v l e r ' s g a z c l l e s a r d aozdad. More comnor s p e c i e s i n c l u d e j a c k e l , red f o x , wild b o a r , g e c e t , acd czmeross r o d e c t s ( s e e S e c t i o c 4 , C o u v e r c o r a t s of S i d i Bou Z i d , G a f s a , K a s s e r i c e , " w a r ) .

I c f l ~ e c c e s . The s c a r c i t y o f v e g e t a t i o n r e s o u r c e s i n t h e h i e h s t e p p e p u t s a h i g h demecd o c t h e f o r a g e acd woody p l a n t s i n t h e m o c r t a i c s . G r a z i c g i s s o heavy t h a t h e r b s a r e o f t e c e a t e n b e f o r e t h e y d r o p s e e d ecd many o f t h e woody p l a c t s have been hedged by l i v e s t o c k o r c ~ f ta r fiielvoad. T h i s l e a v e s t h e groucd b a r e acd v ~ l n e r a b l et o e r o s i o n when t h e f i r s t wicter storms s t a r t . The E-K o r i e n t e d c h a i e o f m o u c t a i c s p a s s i c e t h r o s g h C e f s a , t o t h e n o r t h o f acd p a r a l l e l t o t h e c h o t t s , s e p a r a t e s t h e h i g h e s p a r t o g r a s s s t e p p e s from t h e more a r i d s t e p p e a r e a s of t h e s o ~ t h . Two l o c a t i o c s of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t a l o c g t h a t c h a i c a r e d e s c r i b e d below.

D j e b e l Bou Ramli

m D j e b e l 93: Eamli i s l o c a t e d 25 k c o r t w e s t o f G a f s a . A s m m i t a l t l t c d e of 1:56 n makes D j . Eo.; 3 a m l i t h e h i g h a s t of t h e n o r ; r t a l c s t o t h e west of G a f s a . Rocky, c a l c a r e o ~ ss l o p e s descecd t o e s p a r t o g r a s s s t e p p e s or- t n c3rt.h s j d e acd s e b k h e t s o c t h e s o u t h s i d e . ~

E s p a r t o G r a s s grows o v e r t h e e n t i r e m o s c t a i c , j.c a s s 3 c i e t , i o c v i . t h degrade6 p o p l ; l a t j o c s o f J u r i p e r ~ s~ h o e c i c e aacd holm oak a t t h e s u m i t , ard G ~ r i s t e i c r o c e ~ h a l ev a r . c a p i t e l l a acd A r t e m i s j a c a n p e s t r i s o r t h e n lower s l o p e s . T h e r e a r e a l s o a s s o c i a t i o c s o f rosemary o r t h e s l o p e s . A t t h e f o 9 t 3f t h e n o x t a i c , P a r s e t i a a e g y p t i a c a and C l a d a r t h s s a r a b i c c s grow with t h e ~ s p e r t og r a s s acd e x t e c d S c t o t h e s c r r a ~ r d i n gp l a i c s . A c ~ m b e r of rarE s p e c i e s a r e a l s o f o s c d i c t h e r i c h f l o r a o f t h i s a r i d n o u x t a i r . ( ~ e t e r k e ra r d Radford 1 9 6 9 ) .

Pa.xa a r e c h a r a c t e r i s t j c of t h e Gafsa m o u c t a i c s ( ~ e c t i o c ) . 4

The n o x t a j r . h a s beer. a p r o t e c t e d a r e a f o r macy y e a r s , b i t t h e e f f e c t i v e r e s s o f t h e p r o t e c t i o c h a s c o t b e e c r e c e r - t l y a s s e s s e d . Acy v e g e t a t i o c removal w o ~ l da f f e c t s p e c i e s c o m p o s t i o c s acd l e a v e t h e s l o p e s s>;sceptible t o i c c r e a s e d e r o s i o c r a t e s .

3.4.4.2.

D j e b e l Bou Hedma

34'30'

!I

9'38'

A s s h t h e r c m o s c t a i r o f s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t i s D j . BOG H~dma. Located 85 k i l o m e t e r s e a s t of Gafsa acd 45 k west of t h e c o a s t , t h e m o ~ c t a i ci s i c m t h e t r a r s j t i o c zoce b e t w e e r c e r t r a l aed s o c t h e r c T ~ c j s i a( p o t t i e r A l a ? ~ t i t e: 9 7 9 ) . From a s m n j t a l t i t > i d e of 790 m , t h e m o w t a i n d e s c e r d s f e i r l y rclpldly ( s l o p e s > 25:) t o t h e f o o t h i l l s , which deecer-d nore g r a d - t l l y t o t h e s ~ r r o x d j r - g t e p p e s . !,:axe acd ~ y p s c ~ s deposi t s 5 r t h e c a l c e r c s , ~ n a s s i f R T F x e a t h e r e d t o f o r n t h e s o i l s of t h e s l o p e s a r 2 b a s e .

A.

Vegetation

A t t h e sammit o f Bou Hedna, a d d i t i o n a l m o i s t z r e from low c l o u d s produces a c Arid S u p e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e and r e s u l t s i c v e g e t a t i o n groups t y p i c a l of aleppo pice formatiocs ( ~ c h o e n e n b e r ~ e r 1986). Above 600 700 m e t e r s , depecdicg on t h e e x p o s i t i o c , a s s o c i a t i o c s 5nclude:

Rosmaricus o f f i c i n a l i s G l o b a l a r i a alypum Gecista cinerea Cistus libacotus Pistacia lectiscus Cectaurea t e n u i f o l i a Phagcaloc r a p e s t r e

Leuzea c o n i f e r a Fumana t h y m i f o l i a F. e r i c o i d e s Bupleurum g i b r a l t a r i c u m Helianthemum cicereum H. virgatum H. semfglabrum

Below t h e s ~ n m i t acd on t h e f o o t h i l l s i s a v e g e t a t i o r g r o c p t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e s climax j a c j p e r f o r e s t s . D e g r a d a t i o c o f t h e climax f o r e s t i s s i g c i f i e d by t h e p r e s e c c e o f e s p a r t o g r a s s . J~ciper~s phoecicea Rosmariczs o f f l c i n a l i s G l o b s l a r i a alypsm Stipa teracissima Fumaca l a e v i p e s Pituracthos scoparizs Thymas h i r t u s Sedum s e d i f o r m e Teucrium ramosissimam Heliacthemum h i r t u m

A t t h e b a s e of t h e m o z c t a i c i s a v e g e t a t i o n g r o u p a s s o c i a t e d w i t h c a l c a r e o z s c r ~ s t s r d gypsoas s o i l s , w i t h : a

Astragalas arnatzs Acabasis oropediorum Gyrncocarpos d e c a c d e r Tetrapogoc v i l l o s ~ s Heliarthemum k a h j r l c z m Coris mocspeliecsi s Rhzs t r i p a r t l t m

Atractylis serratuloides Erodiam h i r t u m Aristada c i l i a t a Stipa parviflora Herneari a fontacesf i Moricandia a r v e c s i s Fagocia c r e t i c a

Schoececberger (1986) a l s o d e s c r i b e d a s s o c i a t i o n s foacd a t s p r i n g s ( i n c l z d i c g t h e r a r e Sacchordm r a v e c c a e ) , s t r e a m s , marshes acd rocky f a u l t s . A complete p l a c t l i s t f o r t h e m o a r t a i r acd a d j a c e c t p l a i c i s g i v e r i n t h e pre-pro j e c t p r o p o s a l f o r BOJ Hedma N a t i o c a l p a r k - ( ~ i r .For. 1980).

B.

Fauna

Mammals. Boz Hedma h a s maey mammals endemic t o North A f r i c a acd some t h r e a t e n e d s p e c i e s , such a s aoudad, d o r c a s g a z e l l e s , s l e r d e r - h o m e d g a z e l l e s acd sand c a t F e l i s m a r g a r i t a ( ~ i r .For. 1980). O t h e r mammals t h a t have b e e r r e p o r t e d i c c l z d e j a c k a l , g e n e t , brow. h a r e , d e s e r t hedgehog, sacd f o x Vulpos r u p e l l i , k a f f i r c a t , Saharan s t r i p e d . w e a s e l P o e c i l i c t i s l i b y c a , acd a v a r i e t y o f r o d e c t s and b a t s :

Rodects : NA NA NA
WA

NA

Hystrix c r i s t a t a Elephactalus r o z e t i C t e c o d a c t y l a s gundi Gerbillus campestris G . nanus G. s i m o c i G. g e r b i l l u s , G . pyramidum Pachyuromys d a p r a s i Merioces shawi H. c r a s s a s M. l i b y c u s Psammomys obesus Mus rnasculus Rattus r a t t a s R alcxacd r i c u s Jaculas jaculus

C r e s t e d porcupice E l e p h a n t Shrew Gundi Gerbils

Shaw's j i r d Libyac j i r d Sard r a t Hosse mosse black r a t palm r a t L e s s e r Egyptiac jerboa

Bats:

Rhicolophus mehelyi R. e u r y a l e M y ~ t i sb l y t h i o x y g c a t h z s Eptesicas seroticus isabellicus Plecotas austricacas aegypticus

Birds. A g r e a t v a r i e t y of m i g r a t o r y and w i c t e r i c g b i r d s occur a t D j . Bou Hedma acd a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t i o n 4 ( ~ o ~ ~ v e r c o ofa tS i d i BOL id). r Sadectary b i r d s i c c l u d e a number of c e s t i c g r a p t o r s acd p a s s e r i c e s p e c i e s ( ~ i r .For. 1980) such a s :

Short-toed e a g l e Locg- legged bzzzard B o r e l l i es e a g l e Colder e a g l e Egyptiac v ~ l t a r e

Peregrice Kest r e 1 Lancer f a l c o c Little swift Crag m a r t i n

Blue rock t h r a s h Rock dove Mosrcicg wheatear Black wheatear Rock sparrow

Grazicg h a s had a s t m c g i n f l u e c c e on t h e s p e c i e s c ~ m p o s i t i xof Boa Hedma. The most dwamic grazed s p e c i e s ( ~ c h o e n e n b e r g e r 1376 ) a r e : Aristada c i l i a t a obtusa Cenchrss c i l i a r i s Koricacdia a r v e n s i s
A.

Periploca laevigata Lycium arabiczm Rhus t r i p a r t i t ~ m Acacia r a d d i a c a

while s p e c i e s l i k e Acabasis oropediorum acd Cymr.ocarpos decacder a r e s o s e v e r e l y a f f e c t e d by g r a z i c g t h a t r e g e c e r a t i o c c e a s e s . P a r t of D j . BO.J Hedrna and t h e a d j a c e c t s t e p p e have beec e s t a b l i s h e d a s a c a t i o c a l park. A b o ~ t3,660 ha a r e k l l y p r o t e c t e d ard ar- addi t l o r a l 12,828 ha a r e r e g ~ l a t e da s a b s f f e r zoce (IUCB 1987). A~imal r e i c t r o d ; c t i o c acd o t h e r park macagemect p l a c s a r e be5 re implernected ( ~ e c t i o .~ . 4 ) . 5 4

3.4.5.

Douirat !4ouctaics

Ic s o u t h e r c T u n i s i a , a l o c g t h e e a s t e r n b o r d e r o f t h e Gracd Erg i s a l o n g c h a i r of low m o ~ c t a i c sacd h i g h p l a t e a u s . The D o u i r a t m o x t a i c s a r e o r i e r t e d K-S a r d r a c g e i n a l t i t u d e from 300 600 m. Due t o t h e i c c r e a s e d a l t i t ~ d e s ,t h e m o u c t a i n s a r e s l i g h t l y c o o l e r and r e c e i v e more r a i c t h a n d t h e s u r r o a c d i ~ g e s e r t , b u t t h e a n n u a l p r e c i p i t a t i o c f s s t i l l o n l y 200 300 mrn.

V e g e t a t i o c . P l a c t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h e northern. p a r t of t h e D o u i r a t mouctaics d i f f e r from t h o s e o f t h e s o u t h i c t h a t t h e a p p e r s l o p e s from Katmata t o D j . Rhar e l Jami (NM o f ~ a t a o u i n e )a r e v e g e t a t e d by degraded J u n i p e n s phoenicea g a r r i g u e s . J u n i p e r i s s c a r c e on most o f t h e m o z c t a i c s a r d may soon d i s a p p e a r c o m p l e t e l y . O t h e r s p e c i e s o f t h e a s s o c j a t i o c (ORSTOE1962) i c c l u d e s c a t t e r e d : Ceratocia s i l i q a a Olea e a r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Pistacia atlantjca Rhas t r i p a r t i t a m Periploca laevigata Calycotome v i l l o s a

a c d , n o r e commorly, t h e r m o p h i l e s acd c a l c i c o l e s : Tescriam polium Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s G l o b i i l a r i a alypum acd o t h e r s p e c i e s , s a c h a s : Thymus c a p i t a t u s T. h i r t u s Coris monspeliecsis Atractylis serratuloides Gecista microcephala Gynnocarpos d e c a r d e r Heliacthemum k a h i r i c u m H. r u f i c o r ~ m Stipa parviflora Herriaria foctacesii Phagnalon s a x i t i l e Cistiis libacotis Fumaca t h y m i f o l i a

O r t h e l o w e r s l o p e s acd on t h e m o x t a i n s t o t h e s o u t h , t h e v e g e t a t i o c g r o z p s i r d i c a t e f b r t h e r d e g r a d a t i o c . The a s s o c i a t i o r o f Arthrophytum s c o p a r i a n acd A r t e m i s i a h e r b a - a l b a , S t i p a t e c a c i s s i m a v a r i a r t a l s o cortairs:

Tetrapogor v i l l o s u s Percisetum elatum Hyparrheria h i r t a F a r s e t i a aegyptiaca Moricacdia a r v e c s i s

Ac o v e r e x p l o i t a t i o n o f t h e e s p a r t o g r a s s a r d o t h e r v e g e t a t i o c h a s r e s z l t e d i n a v e g e t a t i o c s t a g e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by t h e a b a r d a c c e o f : Gymcocarpos d e c a r d e r Herciaria f r ~ t i c o s a Anabasis a r t i c u l a t a oropediorum Helianthemirm k a h i r i c u n At r a c t y l i s serratuloides

This v e g e t a t i o r s t a g e r e p r e s e c t s a c i r r e v e r s i b l e d e s e r t i f i c a t j o r process (Le Hoseros 1959 i r ORSTOM 1 9 6 2 ) . which seems t o a c c e l e r a t e x d e r d e m ~ g r a p h i cp r e s s z r e

Fauna of t h e D o u i r a t rnouctains i c c l u d e g i . d i , Eliomys quercycus and o t h e r r o d e n t s , which a r e preyed upon by j a c k a l s , a o 3 t h e r c fox and a v a r i e t y of r a p t o r s . More complete l i s t s are given i n S e c t i o c 4 ( ~ o u v e m o r a t sof Cabes , Wedenine , T a t a o u i n e )

I n f l u e n c e s . I n t e n s e p r e s s u r e from g r a z i c g l l v e s t o c k and people g a t h e r i n g fuelwood and f o d d e r ha8 degraded t h e D o u i r a t ecosystems t o a v e r y poor a t a t e . The rnoimtaica a r e i m p o r t a n t as a n a t i l r a l b a r r i e r betweer. t h e d e s e r t i c s t e p p e s and Grand Erg t o t h e west and t h e J a f f a r e s t e p p e t o the east. Further degradation w i l l iccrease the r i s k of d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c and duce f o r m a t i o c ic t h e s t e p p e s , as w e l l as r e s u l t i c a c c e l e r a t e d erosior. or. t h e mountains. Ir: t h e Matmatas chair., more t h a n 750,000 ha have beep t r e a t e d f o r e r o s i o n c o n t r o l ( ~ i r . For. 1986).

3.5.

STEPPES

The term s t e p p e i s o f t e n used t o d e s c r i b e any l a r g e p l a i c covered by low, d j s c o c t i c u o u s v e g e t a t i o n . T h i s vague d e f i c i t i o c r e s u l t s jc a r e a s with v e r y d i f f e r e c t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s b e i c g c a l l e d s t e p p e s i c v a r i o u s c o u c t r i e s o r c o c t i n e n t s o f t h e world. To c l a r i f y t h e term i c T u c i s i a , i t h a s beee s u g g e s t e d t o l a b e l t h e s t e p p e - l i k s a r e a s ' p r e d e s e r t s ' o r ' p o s t f o r e s t s ' , which more c l e a r l y d e s c r i b e s t h e i r s u c c e s s i o c a l s t a g e and c h a r a c t e r k s t i c s (Le Hoaerou 1969). However, 1c o r d e r t o remaic c o n s i s t e n t w i t h o t h e r l i t e r a t a r e o c T u c i s j a acd t o f a c i l i t a t e g r o u p i c g a r e a s o f s i m i l a r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , t h e commoc term ' s t e p p e e w i l l be a s e d i n t h i s documect w i t h r e g i o c a l c l a r i f i e r s , s a c h a s High S t e p p e , Low S t e p p e , and S a b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l / ~ o c t i n e c t a l Steppe. The d e f i c i t i v e work o c T s c i s i a ' s s t e p p e v e g e t a t i o c was doce by Le Hosero.; (1969). He d e s c r i b e d t h e f o s r p r i c c i p l e v e g e t a t i o c s t r u c t u r e s t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e 6 t o 7 m i l l i o c h e c t a r e s of steppe i c Tacisia:

- Ligross
-

G r a s s s t e p p e : S t e p p e s o f e s p a r t o , Lygeam spartum, A t i s t i d a s p , e t c . s t e p p e : S t e p p e s of Arteme9j.a h e r b a - a l b a o r R h a r t h e r i u n ssaveolecs. H a l o p h i l e s t e p p e : Wide bacds o f s a l t t o l e r a c t v e g e t a t i o n aroucd t h e c h o t t s (350,000 h a t o t a l ) . Wooded s t e p p e o r pseado s a v a c c a h : S t e p p e s w i t h s c a t t e r e d t r e e s s a c h a s Acacia r a d d i a c a o r P i n a s h a l e p e c s i s .

The g e r e r a l r e g i o c a l c a t e g o r i z a t i o ~o f s t e p p e s s e d i c t h i s documect w i l l a l s o j c c l ~ d et h e f o l l o w i c g more s p e c i f i c v e g e t a t i o c t y p e s d i s t i c g s i s h e d by Le Foueroa:

- Pseudo-steppe:
-

S t e p p e s o f s h r u b s o r ' s c r ~ b ' from 0 . 5 t o 3 m t a l l , i c c l a d i c g Retama raetam, Ephedra a l a t a s s p . a l e c d a , C a l l i g o n - m comossm acd Zizyphas l o t u s . P r a i r i e s : S e a s o ~ a lh e r b f o r m a t i o c s o f s p e c i e s sgch a s F e s t a c a a r ~ c d i c a c e aacd T r i f o l i u m f r a g i f e r u m a l o n g s t r e a m s o r i c depressiocs. Keadows: S e a s o n a l h e r b a c e o g s f o n n a t i o c s i c Subhumid o r Semi-arid Szperior bioclimates (ex. b u l b o s a , Loliam p e r e x e . Czltivated lands: Iccludicg o r c h a ~ ~ g r a i c s~ , ~ ~ (1,500,000 h a ) and f a l l o w g r o x d .

A s t h g s d e f i n e d , t h e s t e p p e s o f T u c i s i a a r e t h o s e non-moactainous a r e a s t o t h e s o u t h and e a s t o f t h e T u n i s i a n D o r s a l and t o t h e e a s t o f t h e Grand Erg ( f i g u r e 1 0 ) . l i a l o p h i l e s t e p p e v e g e t a t i o n h a s beee d e s c r i b e d i c s e c t i o n 3.3.2. The f o l l o w i c g s e c t i o c s w i l l d e s c r i b e t h e v a r i o z s g e c e r a l steppe regiocs of Tacisia.

Figure 10 Steppes and Grand Eastern Erg

of Tunisia

High Steppe Low Steppe Subdesertic Littoral Steppe Subdesertic Continental Steppe Grand Eastern EI

Gulf of

w e r

I r f l u e n c e s . The i m p ~ c t so f humar a c t i o c s have had a p r o f o a d i r f l u e r c e o r t h e s t e p p e s . ?Y~cho f t h e s t e p p e s o f c e r t r a l T x i s S a have b e e r c u l t i v a t e d o r e x p l o i t e d f o r e s p a r t o g r a s s , a r d a l m o s t a l l of t h e s t e p p e a r e a s a r e g r a z e d . O v e r g r a z i n g h a s beer. e s t i m a t e 8 a t 5 E more t h a r t h e s a s t a j n a b l e p r o d u c t i o r i c c e r t r a l T u r i s i a acd 25c i r t h e s o ~ t h D i r . ( For. 1986). T h i s e x c e s s i v e p r e s s u r e h a s r e s u l t e d i r t h e d e g r a d a t i o n o f much p r o d a c t i v e l a r d a r d makes t h e r e g i o r s s ~ s c e p t i b l et o d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c . T u c i s i a i s o r e o f t h e most e r o d e d M e d i t e r r a c e a c c o u r t r i e s and o c e o f t h o s e most t h r e a t e r e d by d e s e r t i f i c a t i o n ( ~ i r .F o r . 1 9 8 5 ) . Kore t h a r h a l f t h e a r e a o f T m i s i a i s a f f e c t e d by d e s e r t j f i c a t i o n ( D i r . For. 1977) acd o v e r 18,000 ha a r e l o s t t o t h e d e s e r t e a c h y e a r ; h a l f o f which i s a g r i c ~ l t ~ r aaln d . The t h r e e f a c t o r s most r e s p o r s a b l e f o r t h e r a p i d l d e s e r t i f i c a t i o r a r e : decreased f o r e s t v e g e t a t i o r ( c o l o n i a l harvesticg, fuelwood c o l l e c t i o r , g r a z i r g ) ; r e d ~ c t i o racd d e g r a d a t i o r o f g r a z i c g l a r d s ( l a r d l o s t t o c u l t j v a t i o r o r o v e r g r a z e d and l o s t t o t h e d e s e r t ) ; acd a g r i c u l t ~ r a lp r a c t i c e s ( d i s c p l o w i r a , d r y - f e r a i r q methods acd p l o w j r g a g a i r s t t h e c o n t o a r o r s l o p e s ) . With d e s e r t i f j c a t i o r cor.es s e v e r e e r o s i o r t h e erosio: a r d r x o f f ard raicwater r x o f f ( r a t h e r t h a r p e r c o l a t i o r ) cazse f l o o d s , t h r e a t e r conmucities, f i l l r e s e r v o i r s , redice s ; t t e r r a r c a r w a t e r t a b l e s , r;ir f a r n l a c d s a r d s t e p p e h a b i t a t s , acd wash o,t r o a d s .

To combat d e s e r t i f i c a t i o r , t h e T u c i s i a r govercmect h a s a t t ~ m p t e d s e v e r a l t y p e s o f p r o j e c t s , i c c l ~ d i c gr a c g e n a r a g e m e c t , d,zre f i x a t i o r , a r d s o i l a r d w a t e r c o r s e r v a t i o c . S o i l acd w a t e r c o c s e r v a t i w . p r n j e c t s x ~ a l l y d e a l with e r o s i o c c o c t r o l , such a s t e r r a c i r g s l o p e s ; c o c s t r z c t i r g embarkmects, low rock w a l l s acd o t h e r b a r r i e r s t c sloyl: r z r o f f ; p l a c t i c g forage, s o i l - f i x i r g p l a r t s , l i v i r ~ hedges a r d w i r d b r e a k s ; a r d c r e e t i r g s t o c k pocds t o c a p t u r e r x o f f o r s l o p e s ( D i r . F o r . 19E5). Goverrnert p r o j e c t s f o r p a s t u r e inprovemert, r e g e c e r a t i o r of p s b l i c g r a z i c g l a r d s , e r o s i o c c o r t r o l a r d a c t i - d e s e r t i f i c e t i o c have met w i t h v a r i e d l e v e l s o f s a c c e s s . However, c o r t i c u e d p o p ; l a t i o r growth i s r e s z l t i ~ gi r i c c r e a s i r g p r e s s u r e o r l a r d s d e c r e a s i r g i r p r o d z c t l v i t y acd a d d i t i o r a l p r o t e c t j o r acd irnprovemert n e a s s r e s a r e c e e d e d . The f l o r a acd f a a r a o f t h e s t e p p e s a r e e s p e c S a l l y s e r s i t i v e t o : V e g e t a t i o r removal: Grazicg, esparto g r a s s h a r v e s t i c g

Water t a b l e m a c i p z l a t i o c H a c t i n g and P o a c h i r g Sspecially urgulates

3.5.1.

High S t e p p e

The High S t e p p e i s l o c a t e d ro;if;hly betweec t h e T z r i s j s r . 3orsiil a r d B o r j K a a j e r be1 Abbes ( r o r t h of ~ a f s a )a r d t o t h e w e s t of F%krassey ir. a r e g i o r of h i g h p l a i r s ( o v e r 400 m i r e l t i t s d e ) d i v i d e d by s e v e r a l m o x t a i c c h e i ~ s( s e e S e c t i o r 3 . 4 . 4 ) . Deep c a l c e r e 3 ~ ss o i l s a r e d x i r a z t I E t h e h i g h s t e p p e , b d t t h e r e a r e macy a r e a s w i t h g y p s o i s , m f i r ~ o s ssrd s 6 l i E e

200 mm n e a r Cafsa s o i l s (ONUPAA 1985). Accual r a i c f a l l v a r i e s from 100 300 mm a l o c g t h e T o c i s i a c D o r s a l acd n o r t h e a s t of Cafsa. t o 200 Mountain summits i c t h e same r e g i o n r e c e i v e 300 400 mm a g c u a l r a i n f a l l . Average t e p e r a t u r e s v a r y from 16 C i c t h e c o r t h w e s t t o 19 C c e a r Cafsa. A s a r e s u l t of t h e r e l a t i v e l y l o u p r e c i p i t a t i o c acd t h e t e m p e r a t z r e t h e b i o c l i m a t e i s Arid S u p e r i o r w i t h a c o o l w i n t e r v a r i a c t i c t h e west p a r t acd a t e m p e r a t e w i c t e r v a r i a n t i c t h e east p a r t o f t h e High S t e p p e .

A.

Vegetation

V e g e t a t i o c o f t h e High S t e p p e s was occe domicated by J u c i p e r u s p h o e n i c e a . Now j u c i p e r i s o c l y found o r t h e p l a t e a u s acd mouctains, acd t h e p l a i c s a r e covered by a s s o c i a t i o n s of e s p a r t o g r a s s . ' O r t h e h e a v i e r s o i l s i c t h e w e s t e r c p a r t of t h e High S t e p p e s t h e v e g e t a t i o n i s dornicated by e s p a r t o and A r t e m i s i a h e r b a a l b a i c a s s o c i a t i o c with (ORSTON 1962, Le Hoaeroz 1969) : Haloxylon t a m a r i s c i f o l i s n Acabasis a r t i c z l a t a C a r r i c h t e r a aecza Chrysacthemen f L ; s c a t m Arthrophytun s c o p a r - i m Salvi a aegyptjaca Plactagc ovata C e c t a ~ r e aa c a i l i s F e l i a c t h e m x h i r t c n r o f lcomum

O l i g h t e r s o i l s i c t h e u e s t e r c High S t e p p e a secocdary s t e p p e o f c e s p a r t o acd A r t e n i s i a c a m p e s t r i s , j o i c e d by rosemary o r h i g h e r ground, domicates. These s o i l s a r e o f t e c p l a c t e d t o o l i v e s . Associated p l a c t s icclude: Plactago albicacs Heliarthemam r c f iconum H. l i p p i i s e s s i l i f l o r u m Licaria aegyptiaca Cecista uciflora Laucea r e s i d i f o l i a Karicaria prestrata H e r r i a r i a f r u t j cosa Cutacdia d i v a r i c a t a Anacyclzs c y r t o l i p i d i o i d e s hstragalus crsciatus

a Ir. t h e s o u t h w e s t c o r n e r of t h e High S t e p p e t h e r e i s a l a r ~ e r e a
covered by ax a s s o c i a t i o r of e s p a r t o g r a s s acd:

Heliacthernum l i p p i i A r i s t i d a plumose

Plantago a l b i c a c s Atractylis serratcloides

To t h e e a s t , i c t h e t r a c s i t i o c zone b e t u e e c t h e High S t e p p e and t h e Low Steppe a r e a s s o c i a t i o c s dominated by s c a t t e r e d j s j u b e Zizyphus l o t u s acd abucdact A r t e m i s i a c a m p e s t r i s , w i t h c o m b i n a t i o n s o f : E r a g r o s t i s papposa Stipa parviflora (oc sacd) S. r e t o r t a S. l a g a s c a e p a b e s c e c s " Plactago albicacs P. o v a t a Cecista uci f l o r a Linaria aegyptiaca Ifloga spicata Fagocia k a h i r i c a Astragalus c r s c i a t a s Ocopordoc a r e c a r i ~ m Scablosa a r e c a r i a Arjstida o b t ~ s a A t r a c t y l i s cacd5da P flava c i t r i c a .

Ic t h e s o u t h e e a t , h e a v i e r s o i l s r e s u l t i n A r t e m i s i a herba a l b a b e i c g a s s o c i a t e d w i t h j u j u b e and c o m b i n a t i o n s of e s p a r t o g r a s s , Asparagas a l b a s and G l o b a l a r i a alyp'im. Along t h e edge o f t h e High S t e p p e , s o s t h of t h e above a s s o c i a t i o n s and e x t e c d i n ~i c t o t h e Low S t e p p e i s a c a s s o c i a t i o n of R h a c t h e r i m S u a v e o l e n s w i t h ~ i a i t h u sc r i c i t u s a n d - k r t e m i s i a c a n p e s t r i s .
B. Fauna

Macy of t h e a n i m a l s found i c t h e m o u c t a i c s descecd i c t o t h e p l a i r s t o f e e d , d r i c k , o r a s p a r t o f a m i g r a t i o n p a t t e r n . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i c t h e High S t e p p e a r e t h r e a t e n e d houbara b u s t a r d s , which c e s t i c t h e e a s t e r c p a r t of t h e r e g i o c , and r a r e h y e c a s , which descend f r o n t h e m o z c t a i c s t o prey o c wild boar. Common f a u n a a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t i o n 4 ( G o u v e r c o r a t s of S i d i Boz Z i d , K a s s e r i c e , G a f s a ) .
C.

Icflaecces

A l a r g e paper m i l l is located i c Kasserice. Esparto g r a s s f i b e r s a r e processed a t t h e m i l l t o produce a h i g h q u a l i t y paper. Of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 433,000 ha of d e c s e e s p a r t o s t e p p e s i c T u c i s i a , most a r e ir. t h e High Steppe acd more t h a c h a l f a r e e x p l o i t e d f o r t h e m i 11 ( ~ i r .For. 1986). T h i s e x p l o i t a t i o r , a l o c g w i t h o v e r g r a z i c g acd c l e a r i c g f o r a g r i c ; l t " r e i s having s e r i o u s i m p a c t s o c t h e c a t a r a l v e g e t a t i o c of t h e r e g i o c . Of t h e 124,000 ha o f e s p a r t o s t e p p e i n t h e Sidi BO.G Zid G o z v e r c o r a t , o c l y o r e t h i r d i s c o c s i d e r e d d e c s e o r m o d e r a t e l y d e n s e , a c o t h e r t h i r d i s s p a r s e acd t h e f i c a l t h i r d i s degraded ( e r o s i o c , f i r e s , c u l t i v a t i o c ) . The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e h a s implemected r e g u l a t i o c s t o p r o t e c t t h e s t e p p e s f r 3 s o v e r h a r v e s t i c g , b u t o v e r g r a z i c g and c u l t i v a t i o c a r e problems n w h n o r e d i f f i c u l t t o c o c t r o l . The p a p e r p l a c t a l s o u s e s l a r g e q z a c t i t i e s of w a t e r from t h e Osed Derb acd r e l e a s e s v a r i o 2 s c h e m i c a l compovcds i c i t s discharge.

3.5.2.

Low S t e p p e

E a s t o f t h e High S t e p p e , n o r t h o f Sebkhet M e c h e q z i g ~ eacd s o v t h of Ecfida, a v a s t f l a t t o g e c t l y ucdulaticg p l a i c extecds t o the coast. T h r o z g h ~ z tt h e Low S t e p p e , t h e a l t i t a d e i s l e s s t h a c 250 m. Rscoff from t h e High S t e p p e f l o w s i c s e v e r a l temporary r i v e r s acd s e t t l e s i r t h e macy d e p r e s s i o c s i c t h e Low S t e p p e , c r e a t i c g s e b k h e t s ( ~ e c t i o c . 3 . 2 ) . 3 Shallow s o i l s form or. c a l c a r e o u s c r u s t s t h r o z g h much o f t h e r e g i o n , a r d i c a r e a s of h i g h e r p r e c i p i t a t i o c , red H e d j t e r r a c e a c s o i l s form on hard l i m e s t o n e (ONUPAA985 ) 1

Most o f t h e Low S t e p p e r e c e i v e s 200 300 nun a c c u a l r a i c f a l l , b z t t h e a r e a s o a t h o f S f a x r e c e i v e s l e s s t h a c 200 mm. Average t e m p e r a t a r e s o f t h e 0 r e g i o c a r e c e a r 19 C. B i o c l i m a t e s vary from Semi-arid I c f e r i o r c e a r t h e c o a s t t o Arid I n f e r i o r s o u t h w e s t o f 51 Djem. E o s t of t h e i c l a c d p o r t i o n of t h e Lox S t e p p e h a s a c Arid S a p e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e ( ~ Hozeroz 1966). e

A.

Vegetation

I c t h e Arid S u p e r i o r i n l a c d r e g i o c , t h e dominant v e g e t a t i o c t y p e is t h e j;; jube, A r t e m i s i a c a m p e s t r i s , E r a g r o s t i s p a p p o s a a s s o c i a t i o c found ir. t h e e a s t e r c High S t e p p e . A s s o c i a t i o c s of j u j s b e , A r t e m i s i a herba a l b a and Aspara-s a l b a s , acd o f Rhantherium s u a v e o l e n s a l s o extend from t h e High S t e p p e a l o n g t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n edge of t h e Arid S u p e r i o r zone of t h e Low Steppe. The a l l u v i a l p l a i c s r e a r Kairouan have f i n e t e x t u r e d m i l s t h a t e r e o f t e n i n u c d a t e d and a r e v e g e t a t e d t o ( ~ Houerou 1969): e Beta macrocarpa Scolymzs m a c u l a t u s Silybum eburneum

Aroucd t h e s e b k h e t s , a l m g s a l i c e w a t e r s h e d s acd i c a l a r g e a r e a s x r r o u c d i c g Kairosar., t h e primary v e g e t a t i o c t y p e i s t h e h a l o p h i l e Gypsous s o i l s t o t h e n o r t h w e s t , a s s o c i a t i o c d e s c r i b e d ir. S e c t i o c 3.3.2. ~ 0 2 t ha r d s o s t h e a s t o f S e b k h e t S i d i e l Haci a r e v e g e t a t e d t o t h e Cynara c a r d ~ c c u l u s , Lygeum s p a r t ~ m ,Cycodoc d a c t y l o c groap. Alocg t h e c o a s t , from E c f i d a t o S o z s s ~ ,t h e v e g e t a t i o c of t h e S e n i - a r i d I c f e r i o r . ( m i l d w i c t e r v a r i a c t ) b i o c l i m a t e i s domicated by: Artemisia herba a l b a Stipa parviflora Zizyphzs l o t 2 s p Heliarthemam 11 p i i .!I racemossn Atractylis serratsloides A r i s a rum v ~ l g a r e Lavacdula m u l t i f i d a Phlomis f l o c c o s a Echiochiloc f n t i c o s a m Lygeum s p a r t u n

Soath of S o z s s e , t h e ab3ve v e g e t a t i o c i s j o i n e d by v a r i a c t s i n d i c a t e d by Solacsin sodosaearn o r Cycodoc d a c t y l o c acd A r t e n i s i a h e r b a a l b a , which a r e i c t e r s p e r s e d w:th a r e a s of a l l u v i a l p l a i c s . The Arid S z p e r i o r r e g i o c a l o c g t h e c o a s t s o u t h of E l Djem i s v e g e t a t e d t o v a r i o z s a s s o c i a t i o c s of k r t e m i s i a , i c c l u d i c g : Artemisia herbz a l b a canpestris Zizyphzs l o t u s E r a g r o s t i s papposa Asparagzs a l b u s
A.

G l o b u l a r i a alypzm Diacthus c r i c i t s s Rhantherism s u a v e o l e n s Atractylis s e r r a t u l ~ i d e s

o r , r e & r Sebkhet E l Djen acd t h e c o a s t : Trigocella acguica Lyge.;m s p a r t u n Solacam sod~maeam

The f a x e of t h e Lox S t e p p e i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t of t h e High S t e p p e acd i s l i s t e d i c S e c t l o r . 4 ( ~ o z v e r r - o r a t sof K a i r o s a c , S o u s s e , S f a x ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t a r e t h r e a t e c e d hozbara b ~ s t a r d s ,which r e s t r e a r Kair-c;ac.

C.

Influecces

Nost o f t h e i n l a n d a r e a o f t h e Low S t e p p e i s c u l t i v a t e d acd t h e c o a s t a l a r e a s a r e c u l t i v a t e d acd p l a r t e d t o o l i v e s . T h e r e f o r e , t h e l a r g e s t a r e a o f u n c u l t i v a t e d h a b i t a t i s composed o f t h e s e b k h e t s a c d z o n e s w i t h s a l i n e s o i l s . C r a z i n g i s h e a v y t h r o u g h o a t t h e r e g i o c acd p o a c h i n g o f brow. h a r e a c d b a r b a r y p a r t r i d g e i s commor.

3.5.3.

Sabdesertic L i t t o r a l Steppe

S o u t h o f t h e Low S t e p p e , t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e e x t e c d s i n l a c d a l m o s t t o C a f s a , t h e c c a r r o w s s o a t h o f S e b k h e t ec N o s a l t o t h e a r e a betweec S e b k h e t e l Hamna and t h e c o a s t a c d e x t e c d s s o u t h t o T a t a o z i n e . A t T a t a o u i c e , t h e b o r d e r of t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e c u r v e s c o r t h acd t h e c s o s t h e a s t t o t h e L i b y a r b o r d e r . A s w i t h t h e Low S t e p p e , t h e a l t i t u d e of t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e i s less t h a c 250 n ; h i g h e s t c e a r t h e High S t e p p e aKd D o u i r a t m o i x t a i c s acd l o w e s t r e a r t h e c o e s t . S l i b s t r a t e s a r e l i n e s t o r e o v e r l a i r by c a l c a r e o z s , g y p s o u s a c d s a c d y s o i l s . Average a c c s a l p r e c i p i t a t i o c i 6 t h e r g g i o c i s from 100 t o 2 0 0 mm and Wiclmum w i x t s r t e m p e r a t a r e s a v e r a g e a c c s a l t e n p e r a t ~ r e sa r e 19 t o 2 0 C. 9 0 average 6 C ard maximsm samrner temperatures average 35 C. The b i o c l i m a t e o f t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e i s Arjd I r f e r i o r , mild wirter varlact.

A.

Vegetatix

Although t h e l o c g i t u d i c a l a c d l a t i t u d j r a l r a r g e o f t h e S s b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l Steppe i s l a r g e , t h e M e d i t e r r a c e a c s e a moderates t h e c l i m a t e acd t h e p r i m a r y f a c t o r i c f l u e n c i c g t h e v e g e t a t i o r - a p p e a r s t o be t h e i c l a c d e x t e c s i o c . C o a s t a l v e g e t a t i o x t y p e s have b e e r d e s c r i b e d i r S e c t i o r 3.1.4. Ar, i c t e r e s t i r g a s s o c i a t i o r t h a t g r o w s o r u p l a r d s a l o c g t h e c o a s t s o l i t h o f Kceiss i s t h a t o f Zygophyllum a l b ~ macd ~ n a r r h i r u nb r e v i f o l i ~ n . N e a r t h e c o a s t a v a r j a c t t o O r o c i s c a t r i x s s p . f a l c a t a i s o f t e c f o x d . The a s s o c i a t i o r a l s o e x t e c d s from a r a r e a i r l a n d o f Kceiss i c a b a r d t o t h e c o r t h o f t h e C h o t t s t h a t p a s s e s t h r o i l g h C a f s a . A s t h e ZygophylllimAcarrhicun a s s o c i a t i o x e x t e c d s i c l a c d , a v a r i a r t t o Moricardla a r v e c s i s appears. Most o f t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e i s v e g e t a t e d by a s s o c i a t i o c s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by c o m b i r a t i o c s o f : Rhactherim saaveolecs Artemisia campestris ( 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 ha t o t a l ir ~ u c i s i a )

acd

w i t h s ~ abs s o c i a t i o c s o f Atrac t y l l s s e r r a t ; l o i d e s

o I'

L y g e ~ rs p a r t z n

2
and

Pitaracthos tortuosus Haplophyllum v e r m i c u l a i r e

with a s u b a s s o c i a t i o r . of Erodiam g l a u c o p h y l l u m

31
and

Artemisia herba a l b a Arthrophytum scoparium

(350.000 h a )

with sub a s s o c i a t i o n s of Gymnocarpos d e c a n d e r o r Erodium glaucophyllum and Stipa tenacissima

Xorth of Gabes i s t h e a d d i t i o c a l a s s o c i a t i or. o f : Artemisia herba a l b a Lygeum sparturn P t e r a c t h u s dichotomas

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S x t h o f Gabes, t h r e e o t h e r a d d i t i o c a l a s s o c i a t i o c s a p p e a r :
1

>
acd acd ard

Rhactherium s u a v e o l e n s Asphodelis r e f r a c t u s Atractylis serratuloides A r i s t i d a pungens Scrofularia saharae Zizyphus l o t u s Retama raetam

(250,000 h a )

West of S e b k h e t H a c s o a r , toward G a f s a , t h e p r e v i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e r e p l a c e 2 by a s s o c i a t i o c s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by: ard with v a r i a x t s t o Artemisia campestris and Diplotaxus harra A r t h r o p h y t ~ ms c h m i t t i a n u m Thymelaea m i c r o p h y l l a
(-50,000h a )

Hedysar"m carnosum Peganum harmala Aaabasis aphylla Suaeda v e r m i c a l a t a

A t t h e b a s e of D j e b e l Bou Hedma, t h e v e g e t a t i o n i n t h e s o ~ t h e r cp a r t of t h e s t e p p e a r e a o f t h e c a t i o c a l park ( S e c t i o n 5 . 4 . 4 ) i s r e p r e s e c t e d by a psammophyte grocp. S p e c i e s i c t h e group ( ~ c h o e c e n b e r g e r1986) i c c l u d e :

Rhactheriam s s a v e o l e n s C e r t a u r e a dimorpha k r t h r o p h y turn s c h m i t t i a r a m Argyrolobium u r i f l o r u n Echiochiloc fruticosum S i l e c e arenar i o i d e s Artemesia c a n p e s t r i s Catacche a r e n a r i a M a r r u b i ~ md e s e r t i Salsola v e m j calata Polygocsm e q u i s e t i f o r m e Chrysanthemum t r i f u r c a t u m N o l l e t i a chrysocomoides F a r s e t i a aegyptiaca E r a g r o s t i s papposa Erassica t o u r c e f o r t i i Dacthocia f o r s k a h l i i A s tragalas capricus Stipa tegascae A . hamosus A r i s t i d a plumosa Ifloga spicata A. purgers Piturarthos tortuosus Eeliarthernzm l i p p j s e s s i f l o r ~ m There 5 s a l s o a v a r j a r t a t 33: H e d ~ ac h a r a c t e r i z e d by l i m o r o p h g t e s . Cereal crzps a r e p l a r t e d i r t h e s e areas. Ir d r y y e a r s t h e s o i l i s a l m o s t b a r e s i r c e P . r t h r . o ~ h y t i n s c o ~ a r j ~ r n Pegarzm h a m a l a a r e o f t e c t h e o n l y acd p e r e r c : ~ l s . Other s p e c i e s i c c l a d e : Artemisia herba a l b a Salvia aegyptiaca Diplotaxss harra Er;ca v o s c a r i a Vella a r c s a Cladacth;~arabicus kj"ga i v a Kedj cago t r ; r c a t " l a Trjgorella polycerata Limocium b o c d s e l l i Locchophora c a p i o m o ~ t a n a V i c j a mortana A s t e r i s c a s pygmaeus Erarthrocarpss clavatas Yalva p a r v i f l o r a Arnberboa l i p p i i Reseda d e c u r s i v a Stipa retorta

S c h o e r e r b e r g e r ( 1 9 9 6 ) a l s o l i s t e d v a r i a ~ t st h a t a p p e a r o r s a l t y , gypsoss a r d wet s o i l s . Of s p e c i a l i r t e r e s t i s a p s e ~ d o - s a v a c c a o f Acacia r a d d i e c a t h a t a p p e a r s i n some o f t h e above a s s o c i a t i o c s . I r t h e p a s t , t h e e r t j r o r e g i o r was c o v e r e d by s a v a r c a ( s e e S e c t i o r 2.3, ~ l o r a ) . iiow t h e r e a r e o c l y c.10 ha l e f t t h a t a r e d o n j r a t e d by A c a c i a r a d d i a c a acd some s c a t t e r e d t r e e s i r t h e Bled T a l h a r e g i o r . The c l i m a x a c a c i a psesdosavanca i s t y p i c a l l y accornpacied by: Pistac:a a t l a r t i c a P h ~ stri p a r t i t a r n L a v a c d s l a m a l t i f j da L. cororopi f o l i a Zizyphus l o t u s Periploca laevigata Lyciam s p .

The l a r g e s t mammals o f t h e n o s t of t h e S s b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e a r e j a c k a l s a r d f o x . IT. s o z e r e g j o r . s , s;ch a s Br?; l t e d ~ a , d o r c a s g a z e l l e s and s l e c d e r - h o r c e d e a z e l l e s a l s o o c c ~ r . Brow. h a r e a r e connoc, a s w e l l a s a v a r i e t y of r o d o r t s , 1 r c l ; d i r g ? 1 5 o i n ~ ~q ;se r c y c ~ s ar.d t h e l t o r t h A f r i c a c ~

endemic Shew's j i r d . Nacy s p e c i e s o f r a p t o r s h u n t i c t h e r e g i o n , and t h e t h r e a t e c e d houbara b s s t a r d i s r e p o r t e d t o n e s t t h e r e . O t h e r s p e c i e s commoc t o t h e S a b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e a r e l i s t e d i~S e c t i o c 4 ( ~ o s v e r c o r a t so f S f a x , S i d i Bou Z i d , G a f s a , Cabes, acd ~ e d i c i c e ) .
C.

I c f luences

Forage p r o d u c t i o n i s f a i r l y h i g h i c a s s o c i a t i o n s o f Rhantherium suaveo1er.s acd A r t e m i s i a (200 F o r a g e ~ n i t s / h a ' ) , Rhactherium and A hodelis refractus s A r t h r o h tum s c h m i t t i a c a m (180 t they a r e - e x ' (Le Houerou and P r o n e c t 1966). Ic t h e k o r t h p a r t o f t h e r e g i o c , much o f t h e s t e p p e i s c u l t i v a t e d , some o f whjch i s p l a c t e d t o o l i v e s . C u l t i v a t i o n by t r a c t o r s w i t h d i s c s i s a major caiise o f e r o s i o n i n t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e . R a v i c e s and sar.dy s o i l a r e o f t e c plowed, r e s u l t i n g i r a c c e l e r a t e d g a l l y a c d d a c e f o m a t i o c . With t h e i m p a c t s o f o v e r g r a z i r g added t o p o a r f a r m i c g p r a c t i c e s , macy a r e a s a r e i c d a c g e r o f d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c . To c o c t r o l d e s e r t i f i c a t i ~ ci c degraded a r e a s , w i n d b r e a k s , s o i l s t e b i l i z e t i o c p l a c t j c g s and w a t e r s h e d macagemeet p r a c t i c e s have b e e c implemected. Kacy o f t h e s e a r e a s a r e showicg f a v o r a b l e r e s u l t s , b z t problens with s p e c i e s s e l e c t i o c aad p l a n t a t i o c s u r v i v a l have reduced s x c e s s ic other locatiocs. Poachicg o f h a r e and p a r t r i d g e i s a common p r a c t i c e . U n d e r s t a f f e d and icad;q;ately oq2ipped e c f o r c e m e c t a g e c t s are o n l y a b l e t o r e d u c e t h e l e v e l o f p o a c h i c g ; t h e y a r e by no meacs a b l e t o s t o p i t . H a b i t a t d e g r a d a t i o c combiced w i t h heavy h u c t i c g p r e s s u r e ( l e g a l and i l l e g a l ) a r e s e v e r e l y a f f e c t i ~ gt h e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y o f t h i s r e g i o n . The r e g i o c h a s p o t e c t i a l f o r a v a r i e t y o f p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o c s acd a n i m a l s p e c i e s ( g a z e l l e s , a d d a x , o r y x acd o s t r i c h f o r m e r l y o c c u r r e d ) , b a t i t i s v e r y s e c s i t i v e t o i r f l u e c c e s t h a t remove v e g e t a t i o c , i n c r e a s e e r o s i o n o r excessively decrease w i l d l i f e popzlatiocs.
3.5.4.

Subdesertic C o c t i r e c t a l Steppe:

G a f s a , J e r i d , Dahar

S o z t h of t h e t h r e e p r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d s t e p p e s , t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S t e p p e e x t e c d s s o u t h and west t o t h e edge o f t h e S a h a r a (Gracd E a s t e r c ~ r g ) . I n t h i s documect, t h e r e g i o n n o r t h o f t h e c h o t t s is c a l l e d t h e Gafsa p l a i c s , s o a t h o f C h o t t e l C h a r s a i s J e r i d and t h e r e m a i c d e r o f t h e s o s t h e a s t e r c S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i n e n t a l S t e p p e i s t h e Dahar p l a i n (which a l s ~c c l u d e s p a r t o f t h e J a f f a r a r e g i o c ) . I n t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o n t i c e c t a l i S t e p p e , l i m e s t o n e s u b s t r a t e s a r e o v e r l a i n by s a c d y c a l c a r e o u s s o i l s w i t h macy gypsoas l o c a t i o n s . Uclike t h e S a b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l Steppe, t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S t e p p e d o e s c o t b e c e f i t g r e a t l y from t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a a s e a acd o n l y 180 200 mr: r a i c f a l l s a c c z a l l y . T e m p e r a t u r e s a r e v e r y h i g h , a v o r a g i c g 19 t o 0 0 20' C . E.verage s m w r maximi;ms a r e r e a r 0 0 C , w i t h e x t r e m e s o v e r 50 C. 0 Average w i n t e r m i c i n ~ m sa r e 3-5 C. Along t h e n o r t h acd e a s t edge of t h e S z b d e s e r t f c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e t h e b i o c l i n a t e i s Arid I n f e r i o r , w i t h c o o l ( c o r t h : acd t e m p e r a t e ( e a s t ) w i c t e r v a r i a n t s . E a s t of T a t a o u i c e , Rernada acd Deklbat t o t h e L j b y a c b o r d e r , t h e b i o c l i m a t e i s S a h a r a c S r ; p e r i o r , t e n p e r z t e wir.ter v a r i a c t . The rest o f t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S t e p p e ( s o i t ~ ~ w e p tr r i o r ) i s S a h a r a c S z p e r i o r , c o o l w i n t e r v a r i a n t . s

A.

Vegetation

V e g e t a t i o c a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h e Cafsa p l a k c s a r e s i m i l a r t o t h o s e d e s c r i b e d f o r t h e p a r t of t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e n e a r C a f s a . More s a l i c e s o i l s a r e i n d i c a t e d by t h e p r e s e n c e o f S a l s o l a v e r m i c u l a t a var. v i l l o s a and o t h e r h a l o p h y t e s . There a r e a l s o v a r i a c t s t o L i r c a r i a f a l l a x , Chrysanthem~mfuscatum and e s p a r t o g r a s s of t h e a s s o c i a t i o n o f : A r t e m i s i a herba a l b a Arthrophytum scopariurn Cymcocarpos d e c a n d e r Near Tozeur t h e v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o c s a r e s p a r s e r and c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of Saharac b i o c l i m a t e s . An a s s o c i a t i o n o f Brocchia c i c e r e a Cornulacea mocacactha Cyperus c o c g l o n e r a t a s with s z b a s s o c i a t i o n s t o ar.d Astragalus armatus tragacanthoides A r i s t i d a pucgecs

domirates r e a r Tozeur. To t h e s o u t h acd a c r o s s a l a r g e r e g i o n on t h e s o a t h s i d e o f C h o t t D j e r i d , t h e r e i s a c a s s o c i a t i o c of Retama raetam Arthrophyturn s c h n i t t i a c u m v a r schmittianum Suaeda v e r m i c u l a t a

acd

Eetueec t h e moactaic r a c g e p a r a l l e l t o t h e c o r t h e r c edge o f C h o t t D j e r i d acd Djebel Tabaga i s a n a s s o c i a t i o c of Tragansm cudatum v a r . o b t u s a t u n acd Anabasis a r t i c u l a t a v a r . a r t i c u l a t a
A t t h e c o r t h u e s t c o r n e r of t h e Dahar, a l o c g t h e e a s t edge o f t h e Retama, Arthrophytum, S ~ a e d aa s s o c i a t i o c d e s c r i b e d a b ~ v e ,a r e Tamarix s t a n d s oe c o c s a l i c e s o i l s and p a r c e l s v e g e t a t e d t o :

and

C a l l i g o c ~ mcomosum A n t h y l l i s s e r i c e a s s p . henoniana

which a l s o o c c u r s o a t h e a s t o f T a t a o u i n e . Along D j e b e l Tabaga acd s o a t h e a s t of T a t a o u i c e a r e a r e a s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

1

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Rhac t h e r i a m s u a v e o l e c s Asphodelis r e f r a c t u s and A c t h y l l i s s e r j cea herociaca

vj t h

vzriacts t o Savigcy p a r v i f l o r a

S t i p a tecacissima )?or5 c a c d i a a r v e c s i s Z y g o p h y l l m album Acarrhiccm b r e v j f o l j n m

(450,000 h a )

The r i a j o r i t y of t h e Dahar ( 2 , 1 0 3 , 0 0 0 h a ) i s v e g e t a t e d t o a c a s s o c i a t i o c i c d i c a t e d by: A c t h y l l i s s e r j c e a s s p hecocia Cyncocarpos d e c a c d e r

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w i t h s:ib a s s o c i a t i ~ c st o Stipc lagascae H e l i a r t h e n u m l j ppS i i c t r i c a t u m S t i p e t e c a c j ssima

or

There a r e s l s o sone a r e a s w i t h h a l o p h j l e a s s D c i a t i o c s ( ~ e c t i o c . 3 . 2 ) 3 a s s o c l a t i o r s of Arthrophytsm schmi tti.acum Retarria r a e t a n C a l l i g o c s m comoscn S.;aeda v e r m i c c l a t a

acd

arc? or

Ic t h e c e r - t e r of t h e Dahar a r d o r t h e west e d g e , f o r m i c g t h e t r a c s t t: oz zor.e s: t k t h e S a h a r a i s

krthrophytzm s c h n i t t . i a c m v a r . prostratcm A. scopail i n var. sccpariun

ar.2

Fazca s f t h e S l b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S t e p p e a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t j o c G ( G o i v e r ~ o r a t sof G a f s a , T o z e ~ , K e b i l i , J ~ ? e d i r j c e ,~ a t a o - i c e ) . Of s p e c i a l r i c t e r p s t a r e s l e c d e r - h o r c e d g a z e l l e s , d o r c a s g a z e l l e s , k a f f i r c a t acd t h r e a t e r e ? hozbzra b ~ s t t i r d s .

I c f l c e c c e s oc t h e e c o s y s t e m i c c l c d e o v e r g r a z i n g and c l e a r i c g o v e g e t a t i o c f o r c ~ l t i v a t i o r - f g r a i c s acd o r c h a r d s . D e s e r t i f i c a t i o c acd duce f o r n a t i o r . 5s a s e r i o s s problem acd some r e m e d i a l a c t i o c s a r e b e i c g t a k e c ( p l a c t a t i o c s , w a t e r s h e d c o c t r o l s t r u c t u r e s , t e r r a c i n g , eccouragemect of c o c t o c r p l o u i c g ) . A c a t i o n a l p a r k / b i o s p h e r e r e s e r v e h a s b e e c proposed f o r t h e e a s t e r c p a r t of t h e r e g i ~ c ,n e a r Hamada, D j e b e l T o c i acd t h e Libyar- b o r d e r ( s e e S e c t i o c 5 . 4 . 7 ) . There i s a c c r r e c t p r o j e c t a t t e r p t i c g t o e s t a b l i s h a ' g r e e c b e l t ' o f o r c h a r d s ar.d c e e o a s e s aroncd C h o t t J e r j d . Over 2 9 5 , 0 0 0 ha h ~ v e l r e a d y a beer. e f f ~ c t ~ c ! t h i s program, whjch c o ~ l aprodcce v e r y f a v o r a b l e r e s c l t s by by slswir.,~ h e r a t s o f d e s ~ r i j f j c a t i o cacd provi.dir.g some f a u c a h a b i t a t t ( s s ~ e c i e l : : : f o r b i r d s ) . T h e r e i s a d a r g e r , however, t h a t t h e messive ic t h i s program ccrild c a c s e x e x p e c t e d o ~ a r . t l T l e sI f i r r j ~ a t 5 9 r .w a t e r ~ s e d r e s p 2 s e s I r t h e m t ~ ra b l e s . ( e x . d ~ s s i c a t i o ro f d j s t a r t o a s e s ) . t

.3.6.

GRAND EASTERN ERG:

SAHARA

Alocg t h e southwest edge o f T u n i s i a i s p a r t o f t h e v a s t d e s e r t kcowr. as t h e Grand E a s t e r n Erg, o r t h e S a h a r a ( f i g a r e 1 0 ) . L i t t l e r a i c f a l l s i c t h e r e g i o r ; t h e a v e r a g e a n n u a l p r e c i p i t a t i o n i s 50 100 mm a t t h e n o r t h e n ; edge and o c l y 20 50 mm f o r t h e r e s t . M ~ n yy e a r s can p a s s w i t h no r a i c a t a l l . Average t e f p e r a t u r e s a r e above 21 C , w i t h summer maximums a v e r a g i c g above 4 0 C and w i n t e r minimums a v e r a g i n g below 3 C. Hot dry S i r o c c o winds sweep o v e r t h e l a n d f o r many days a t a time i n t h e summer. The h a r s h c l i m a t e h a s l e a d t o t h e f o r m a t i o c o f v a s t a r e a s o f l a r g e sacd duces, which c o v e r t h e Grand E a s t e r c Erg.

The e r g i s s e c s i t i v e t o :

- Chacges i r . r a i c f a l l - V e g e t a t i o n removal

patterns

Harvesticg of r a r e s p e c i e s of faaca

especially ucgulates

Ic such a f o r b i d d i c g a r e a , t h e a n m e t of v e g e t a t i o c t h a t d o e s e x i s t i s s u r p r i s i c g . Betweec and oc t h e dunes i s a p s e u d o - f o r e s t a s s o c i a t i o n of There a r e from 1 t o 1 0 " t r e e s " p e r h e c t a r e , acd many a r e 8-10 Houeroa 1969, ORSTOM 1962). S p e c i e s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e associatior. a r e : Calligocum a r i c h C. a z e l C . comoszm Gecista saharae A r i s t i d a pucgecs Ephedra a l a t a a l e n d a Corr.ulaca mocacactha Retama raetam

rNA

There a r e o v e r 1 , 7 2 0 , 0 0 0 ha o f d u c e s w i t h t h e above a s s o c i a t i o n . O c t h e e a s t e r c edge o f t h e s o u t h e r n t i p o f T u n i s i a , t h e r e a r e a c a d d i t i o c a l 760,000 ha w i t h a s s o c i a t i o c s o f :

11

Tragacam nudatum microphyllum S a l s o l a vermiculata with a v a r i a c t t o Arthrophy tum s c o p a r i a m acd a sub a s s o c i a t i o n t o Acabasis a r t i c u l a t a a s c e c d e c s Heliacthemum c o c f e r t u m brachypodum Calligocum comosam Acvillea radiata A c t i r r h i c u m ramosissimum

E.

Faana

Slender-horned g a z e l l e s i n h a b i t t h e n o r t h and e a s t edges of t h e r e g i o c ; gucdi l i v e i c t h e h i g h e r zones and a v a r i e t y of r o d e n t s , r e p t i l e s and i c s e c t s can be foucd. Nany s p e c i e s of b i r d s a r e adapted t o t h e d e s e r t c o n d i t i o c s and o t h e r s r e s t t h e r e durkng m i g r a t i o n . C. Inflaecces

Human i c f l u e n c e s i n t h e r e g i o c a r e mostly l i m i t e d t o g r a z i c g by h e r d s of camels and t h e u s e of Calligonum f o r fuelwood. While t h e a n n u a l f o r a g e production i s only 2 Forage U c i t s p e r h e c t a r e (compared t o 200 FU/ha i n t h e Rhantherium and A r t e m i s i a c a m ~ e s t r i ss t e p p e s ) overgrazing problems a r e much l e s s thar. i n t h e s t e p p e s- 7 u and Fromect 1966). However, t h e advacce of t h e d e s e r t i c t o t h e a d j a c e n t r e g i o c s i s a s e r i o u s problem facicg Turisia.

3.7.

OASES

There a r e a b a i t 6 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 n i l l i o r . n3 of w a t e r i r . t h e underground r e s e r v o i r s of t h e S a h a r a ( p a l l a s 1972). Ic p l a c e s where some o f t h a t w a t e r r i s e s t o t h e s w f a c e , o a s e s a r e formed. Oases a l s o o c c u r a l o n g s t r e a m a r d s p r i c g s L o r t h of t h e S a h a r a p r o p e r . O a s e s v a r y i c s i z e from l e s s t h a r oce h e c t a r e t o w e l l o v e r o c e thousacd h e c t a r e s . The l a r g e r o a s e s a r e c . ; l t i v a t e d i c t e c s i v e l y a r d a r e t h e l o c a t i o c s of t h e m a j o r c i t i e s of t h e s o s t h : S f a x , Gabes, E a h a r e s , C a f s a , T o z e u r , N e f t a , Douz, e t c . There a r e w e l l o v e r 7 5 , 0 0 0 ha o f o a s e s ir. T u n i s i a , most of which a r e s u b j e c t e d t a s o n e f o r % of c c l t i v a t i o c acd o v e r h a l f o f which a r e i r t e c s i v e l y ~ n a r a g e d . Sone o a s e s have beer. a r t i f i c i a l l y c r e a t e d o r expacded. Oases a r e s e c s i t , i v e t o :

Yater t a b l e n a c i p ~ l a t i o r S t r e s m fl07:~ i c t e r r 3 ~ p t i o c "emoval 3f paln t r e e s C a p t ~ r eof m l g r a t i c g b i r d s

I ~ t e r s l v ec ~ l t i v a t i o c a k e s i t . d i f f i c ~ l tt o d e t e r n i r e t h e c a t i v e r v e g e t a t l o r a s s 5 c i a t i o r s of t h e o a s e s . A p1ar.t s p e c i e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h most o e s e s i s t h e r a t c r a l i z e d d a t e palm P h o e r i x d a c t y l i f e r a . Among t h e d a t e p a h s ir. t h e i c l a c d o a s e s r o r t h of K e b i l i acd a l o r g t h e c o a s t t o Z a r z i s ( iccl.;dir-g t h e i s l a c d o f ~ e r b a )t h e v e g e t a t l o r i s commocly characterized by: 1:alva p a r v i f l o r a Aizooc h i s p a r l cum P e g a r c n harmala The o a s e s a t a r d n e a r Cabes a l s o c ~ c t a ft h e r a r e s h r n b P r o s o p i s ~ s t e p h a r j a r i a (O~S'?O:? 9 6 2 ) . Dile t o t h e i c t e n s e c u l t i v a t i o r , t h e o t h e r : p l a r t s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h o a s e s a r e u s u a l l y c r o p weeds, b u t t h e r e a r e a l s o f e r c s , scch a s bdlactcm c a p i l l i s v e r e r i s acd Grasses: Par.] c m r e p e c s Cyperaceaes: Carex e x t e r s a C y p e r ~ sl a e v i g a t c s

Ic a ~ b a l r t. h~ i r r i g a t i o r c & c a ? s g r o x a q u a t i c p l a r t s , i c c l z d i c g : e

- s t i z c g e t 5 r~ o d o s i s ~
r r
F. p e c t i c e t : ; ~ P. d e z s ~ s( ~ a f s s ) F. 1;;cer.s

fn

XarS c h e l l a p a l u s t r i s . y p h ~ a c ~ i i s tflo l i a E ~ p p i am a r l t i m a

Near K e b i l i , o a s e s o c c u r c a t u r a l l y o r have been c r e a t e d i n a r e a s p r e v i o z s l y v e g e t a t e d by t h e a s s o c i a t i o n o f : Retama raetam Arthrophytum s c h m i t t i a c u m v a r . schmittianum Suaeda v e r m i c u l a t a

B.

Faiica

Mammals foznd i c t h e o a s e s r e f l e c t t h e p r e s e n c e o f i c t e r s i v e c u l t i v a t i o c and humac d i s t u r b a r c e . R a t t u s r a t t u s and macy o t h e r s m a l l r o d e c t s ( g e r b i l s , mice, e t c . ) o c c u r , but t h e o c l y l a r g e mammals a r e wild b o a r s , which o c c a s i o c a l l y damage c r o p s . P r e d a t o r s , such a s j a c k a l s , fox acd wild c s t s sometimes v e c t s r e i n t o t h e o a s e s , but t h e y a r e very s e c r e t i v e ecd o f t e c o c l y remajc f o r a s h o r t p e r i o d o f time. Cases I s provide 6c e x c e l l e c t r e s t i c g f o r a v a r i e t y of m i g r a t i c g b i r d s acd nzcy s e i e c t z r y s p e c i e s r e s t a t t h e o a s e s o r e c t e r t o feed and d r i c k . F i s h occ;r r a t i r ~ l l y ,acd have beec i c t r o d u c e d , i r macy ~ f t h e oases. The t y p e s of f:sh i r . c l . ~ d e : Aphaczs 9arS;s a c t i c o r i i Eezichrornis Gambusi a Astatotilapia Ti l a p i a ( ~ a r o t h e r o d o c )

k s p r e v i o u s l y mectioced, t h e primary humar. i c f l u e c c e o r o a s i s ecosy s t e n s i s i c t e c s i v e c z l t i v a t i o c acd i r r i g a t i o c . Wells d r j l l e d t o i r r i g t i t e rev c r o p l a r d s have reduced w a t e r flows i c some a r e a s a r d r e s u l t e d i c t h e a e s s i c a t i o c o r d e p r a d a t i o r o f some o a s e s . Duricg t h e s p r i n g , m i g r a t i r g b i r d s a r e o f t e c c a p t u r e d with s n a r e s i c t h e o a s e s ( ~ r ~ m m e t 19~7).

!'lacy oases a r e t h r e a t e c e d by t h e e f f e c t s of d e s e r t i f i c a t j o c . Wicd blowr. sacd can be trapped by t h e palm t r e e s acd moving dunes c a c c o v e r a n o a s i s d e s t r o y i c g t h e ecosystem. The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e h a s implemented p r o t e c t i o c measures a t more t h a n 50 o a s e s , i n c l u d i n g p l a n t i c g 1 , 7 0 0 ha of wicdbreaks t o p r o t e c t some o f t h e more economically i m p o r t a c t acd ichabited areas.

4.

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY DATA B GOUVERNORAT Y

T u c i s i a i s d i v i d e d i n t o 21 governmental u n i t s , o r g o u v e r r o r a t s . Ic t h i s s e c t i o n , summaries a r e g i v e n o f t h e major ecosystems; s p e c i f i c sites, f l o r a and fauna o f i c t e r e s t ; and f a c t o r s i n f l u e n c i n g b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s 3 t y i n each g o u v e r c o r a t . S p e c i f i c s i t e s a r e c r o s s r e f e r e n c e d t o s e c t i o n s where more d e t a i l e d i n f o r m a t i o ~can be found. The h e a d i n g s 'Medicinal P l a c t s ' acd ' G e n e t i c Resource P l a c t s ' r e f e r t o S e c t f o c 2.3.1. The l i s t s g i v e n a r e n o t c o m p l e t e , and sometimes t h e r e l a t i v e l e c g t h s may c o r r e s p o c d more t o r e s c a r c h and r e p o r t i c g i n t e n s i t y t h a c t o comparative d i f f e r e c c e s i c b i . o l o g 5 c a l d i v e r s i t y betweec g o u v e r c o r a t s . The summaries a r e i r t e c d e d t o g i v e b a s e l i c e d a t a a r d h i g h l i g h t e c v i r o c m e c t a l c o c c E r c s , which c a r be used i n p r e p a r i c g E c v i r o n m e c t a l Assessmects f o r p r o j e c t s t a r g e t e d i c t h e v a r i o u s g o u v e r n o r a t s . The summaries a r e a l s o intended t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e s e l e c t i o c of p r i o r i t y a r e a s f o r s p e c i e s o r ecosystez s p e c i f i c cocservation projects.
The g o J v e r c o r a t s a r e p r e s e n t e d ir. t h e f o l l o w i n g a r d e r :

BEJA JERDOUSA LE KEF SILIANA E I ZERTE KABEUL TUNIS ZAGHOUP.!J KAIROUAK KASSERIKE SIDI BOU Z I D KAHDI A 1,IONASTIR SOUSSS SFAX GABES CAFSA KEBILI KEDENINE TfiTAOUI1:E POZEUT?

A.

BEJA

Area: 355,000 ha Major Ecosystems: ~roumirie/Eogbd Mouctaics High T e l l C o r a l Coast Island Med j e r d a V a l l e y

S p e c i f i c S i t e s 1mportar.t t o B i o l o g j c a l D i v e r s i t y : 3 B e l i f F o r e s t : 1 5 , 0 0 0 ha c o r k oak f o r e s t ( ~ e c t i o c . 4 . 1 ~ ) Andoac F o r e s t : 5 , 8 0 0 ha cork oak f o r e s t , c o r t h of Beja C o r a l C o a s t : S e c t i o c 3.1.1 3.2.1 ) G a l i t e A r c h i p e l a g o acd R e s e r v e : 700 ha ( ~ e c t i o c !hi b e s Reserve : S e c t j or. 5. A . 1 0 Lake C h i t a c e : S e c t i o c 3 . 3 . 4 . 1 3.3.:~) S i d i S a l e n E e s e r v o i r : 4 , 6 0 0 ha ( ~ e c t i o r . Kasseb !Ian R e s e r v o i r : 400 h z Flore : I;et;ral

F o r e s t : 33,455 ha S e c t i o r 3.4.1n Cork oak f o r e s t P l a c t e d f o r e s t - 27,WO ha (505 maceged f o r e s t ) bleppo p i c e , p l g c o c p i c e , m a r i t i m e p i c e , e a c a l y p t u s ?iaq;is: 3 6 , 5 0 0 ha O l e a - l e c t i s c ~ s ( ~ e c t i o c .4.2) 3 C o a s t a l maq;is ( ~ ~ c t i 3.1 . I ) o c Degraded cork o a k / a l e p p o p i c e f o r e s t ( s e c t i o n 3.4. I D ) F o r e s t C l e a r i c e s : 1 , 7 6 0 ha C s l t i v a t r d P l a i c : 23C,000 ha

Rare acd E c d e z l c P l a c t s : rlJA Li cum c o r y n b i f e r ~ mlambesacum v k l t e r c a c t h e r a s e s s i :is ' ?A G e c i s t a u l c i c a Cyclamec a f r,caczr? " Brassica cretica atlactica T e a c r i a n psezdo-scorodoc5a " Reseda d u r i a e c a T. r a d i c a c s Liceria flava " Ramex a r i s t i d i s T R. t u r e t a c ~ s L. p i m i f o l i a Ococis mitissima rTA M a r e s i a malcolmoides Corocilla a t l a c t i c a TA S i l e c e s c a b r i d e T S. t u c e t a c a A Nymphea a l b a r S. c e e l e c t e Lathyrus c i s s o l i a v = Very Rare r = Rare
R A = North A f r i c a Ecdemic T = T u c i s i a / ~ l g e r a Endemic A i T = T u c i s i a Bcdemic

Ketlclcal Plaxts: Cacpsr: s sp:rosa (:rcorn~5r) Yyrt;s ccrmrr.s.i s Rosmariczs of fl c i c a l i s Flstacia l e r t i s c i s

Lavacdzla n s l t i f i d a Asphodeli s m i c r o c a r p a E r i c a sp.

C e c e t i c Resource P l a c t s : Ceratocia s i l i q u a Olea earopaea o l e a s t e r Quercas i l e x Q. s u b e r Fauca : Mammals: Wild b o a r Jackal Red f o x Egyptiar mxgoose Crested porcupice
3i r d s :

LLibstus mx?do Crateegila azamlaaa 3 u b s Wferia

Hedysarirm

G r e a t c r e s t e d Grebe Grey hereor.

mite

stork

Black k i t e hzzard Lorg- l e g g e d b a z z a r d Karsh h a r r i e r Kestrel Q;ail Barbary p a r t r i d g e Coot Yoorher. Pirtail Kectish plover \loodcock Slecder-billed gull Spacish sparrow Spotless s t a r l i c g Raver. Ir,fluerces:

Aock d m Ybod pigem f a h ~DvF? TLartle duw? Sidft 3ee e a t e r C r e e r mdperker 3d * Great grey s h r i k . Yoodcfiat shrike Sardirian mrbler Dartford w a r b l e r S p ~ t t e dflycatcher Alack-eared wheatear glackbfrd Nigfitingah G r e a t tit G ~ l dir-cfi f Chaffi~cb

K y r t u s commucis h a r v e s t i z g Cork h a r v e s t i c g Caltivatioc, grazicg 3 Fauca R e s e r v e s 20 km L i t t o r a l Cordon, 3,470 fia M e d D2r.e S t a b i l i z e t i o r . P r a i r i e Creatior. 613 ha

Rajm "Lcosyst~:

K r w z i r i e Y&rtaim High T e l l C o r a l Coast W d j e n 3 a Valley

SpecFfic S i t e s I m p o r t a t t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : 3l F e i d j a : Oak fowst, F a u m r e s e r v e , S e c t i o r . 3.4.1.1 3.4.1.2) fir. Drahm: Oak fbrest ( ~ e r t l o r : Aiz BBccouCtl Reserve: 3 a r b a r y d e e r 3.3.4.5) Dar Fatme Bogs 3 ha, ( ~ e c t i o r : Plaritime Pine T o r e s t : S e c t i n : 3.4.1 fleserwirs: 3 3 ~ ~ 5 35tir; Hamnsm S n u r g z i b a ; B m h'uertma
Flora : 1iat;rel

Forest: 47,379 ba Cork oak &r./Cork oak 3 3 , 6 3 3 ha x a r i t i m e piz* 5,500 ha d e p p o pire 9,509 ha P l a x t e d P o r e s t : 2,033 ha A l e p p ~?ire, ~ T I P s s ,e-jptos, acacia h q ~ i s : 16,923 ha Olca-ln.tisc;s S r c t j o r : 3.L.2 Degradcd c3rk ~ a k / a l e p r , p j r e f o r e s t 3 . r . I ? C o a s t a l maqiais - Z e c t i o r 3.2.1 C z l t i o a t e d : 145.000 fie

Rare ard F r d e m i c P l a r t s : v Barbarea v d g a r i s Cardamire g r a e c a k jaga r q t a c s Cyclamu: a f r i r a m m Teccrlm atratin AraMs p b e s c e r s

r Tt~bias i n c a c e s c e c s

P b t e c t i l l a nicractha Rosa e a l l i c a Ococis m i t i s s i m a 0. a l e p e c a r o i d e s Luzala c a n p e s t r i s V l c i a digperme S a c i c ~ l aeuropaea L o t a s dreparocarpus Acer m m s p e s s u l a r s m L. c r e t i c u s cornmutatus Medicago a r a b i c a f T r i f olium s t r i a t u m 1.. h i s p i d a rnicrodor. T. f d s p i d a b r a ~ y a c a r r t h a T Marrubium a s c h e r s o c i i I Y i c i a b i t h T i c a major rT L a t h y r u s brachyodus r A Querczs afares 3 . altissima ' 1 r?! Erodium pachy r r h i z ~ r n A V. s i c & r K A Ceam srbacum Lathyrns e g e r !I A H e d i c a g ~s a t i v a e u - s a t i v a Cerar.ii;m col;;mbiu;m 7A Gecista i l c i c a ' A l l a r i a off i c i c a l i s TL. S e d s n t a b e r o s m S a l j x p;;rpsrea n. r Kelj l o t ~ s a c r o c e r p a . n Ces t a r e a sazzva Spergila arversf s '?A Runex a r l s t i d j s !?A Sj 1er.e s c a b r i d a Cerastim ceesptosm ~ ?A L e ~ i d i ,g l e s t i f ~ l i s n ?;maria bi c d o r T e e s d a l i a c n r o r o p i f ~ l i a '?A X s c ~ t e l l ar a p h c i f o l i a S t e l l a x i a hcllostes
J

r r r r r r r r

Jecdouba ( c o n t i n u e d )

Medicical P l a c t s : Asphodelis c e r a s i f e r u s A. m i c r o c a r p u s Myrtus commur5s Genetic Resource P l a n t s : Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Arbutus ucedo Olea e u r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Hedysarum c o r o c a r i u m Facra : Mammals:

Fmaria officicalis Pi s t a c i a l e n t i s c s s R o s m a r i c u s of f i c i r a l i s

C r a t a e g u s mocogyra C. a z a r o l u s Quercus i l e x Q. s u b e r

t t

r
Birds:

Barbary d e e r Wild b o a r Hyeca Jackal Red f o x Caracal Kaffir cat

Otter
E g y p t i a c mocgoose A l g e r i a c hedgehog Commo~ g e r e t Rrowr ha r e Crested porczpine F i e l d mouse

r
c

Grey heror. Aratidae Sooted e a g l e Colder e a g l e Red K i t e Buzzard Sparrowhawk Short-toed e a g l e

Kestrel
Coot Barbary p a r t r i d g e Sardgrouse L i t t l e ricged plover Commor s a c d p i p e r Woodcock Wood pigeon T u r t l e dove Cuckoo E a g l e owl Long-eared owl Irfluences :

Bee e a t e r Hoopoe G r e e r woodpecker G r e a t s p o t t e d woodpecker Galerid l a r k s Melodioss warbler Blackcap S a r d i c i a c warbler Firecrest Spotted flycatcher Blackbird Robi r! Coal t i t Great tit Wrer Chafflcch Jay Ravec Bare owl

Eyrt~s comnucis acd cork h a r v e s t i c g Limited t r e e c i i t t i c g F i r e b r e a k c r e a t i o c acd m a i n t e c a c c e C u l t i v a t i o c , q r a z i c g , f-;elwood a r d f o d d e r c o l l e c t i o r Fires 3 R e s e r v e s : E l P e i d j a , Ain Raccoiich, Dar F a t a a ( p o s s i b l y )
v = Very Rare r = Rare t = Threateced r = Gestirg nirds

IiA = North A f r i c a Erdemic T = T u c i s i a / A l g e r i a Erdemcc A T = T s r i s i s FrdenSc

C.

LE KEF

Area:

455,000 ha High T e l l Med j e r d a V a l l e y

Ka j o r ~ c o s ~ s t e m s :

Specific S i t e s Importact t o Biological Diversity: Ouergha F o r e s t : Holm oak/aleppo p i c e , Sec t i o c 3.4.2 Oued Mellegae R e s e r v o i r : 1 , 0 0 0 h a , S e c t i o n 3.3.3A Flora : Kattiral F o r e s t : 86,107 ha Aleppo p i c e , holm aak ??acted F o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e , c y p r e s s , e a c a l y p t a s , a c a c i a !:aq;;f s : @lea-lectiscx Degraded a l e p p o p i c e , holm oak f o r e s t J~ciper C ~ l t i v a t e d : 270,000 ha Rere ecd Ecdemic P l a c t s : r k f f o c i a tecuifolia I . I o c o p s i d i ~ ma?bi f l o r ~ m r S i l e c e cocica A S. a t l a c t i c a Tk S. t a c e t a n a !!edicical Placts: Pistacia lectisctis R o s n a r i c x of f i c i c a l i s
C e r a t o r i a si l i q u a

rT T r i f o l i u m squarrosum t u n e t a c a T Oreoblitoc thesioides A T Rupj c a p c o s numidicss A ssp. sarcocapcoides

Erica scoparia Clobclaria alypm

G e c e t i c Resource P l a c t s :
Q u e r c u s ilex

Olea eEropaea o l e a s t e r Crataegus a z a r o l c s Fauna : Nammals :

W i l d boar

Hedysarum corocarium

Hyeca Jackal Red fox Kaffir cat Conmor. g e c e t Ygyptiac mocgoose

NA

KA

A 1 g e r i . a ~hedgehog Browc h a r e Crested porcupice Shew's j i r d ~ e r b i l l u s ampestris ( g e r b i l ) c J a c a l s s o r i e c t a l i s (jerboa)

Le Kef ( ~ o r t i c s e ) d

Birds:

White s t o r k Teal E a r o p e a r wigeoc Mallard Red k i t e Black k i t e Colder e a g l e Rooted e a g l e Buzzard Kestrel Q ~ a i l Sarbarg partridge Coot S t o c e curlew E l t i c k - b e l l ] ed s a r d g r o ~ s e ;Niir,ox. rosemary h a r v e s t i r g
G r a z i c g , cultivatioc

Wood p i g e o c Rock dove S t o c k dove T u r t l e dove Sardician warbler Short-toed l a r k Robic Black-eared wheatear Blackbird Sorg thrush ?Iistle thrzsh Chaff] cch Jay Raver.

Irflserces :

Dams

v = Very Rare
=

Rare t = Threster-ed

4A = Worth A f r j c a Frdemic T = T u c i s j a / ~ l g e r a Yrdenj c A j ? = T x j s i a Erdemic

Area:

495,WID ha

Specific Sites 3upoIctar.t t b 3ialogical D i e Djebel Bargozl: Seetion 3.4-3.7 3j- Serd j: sertim 3 - 4 3 . 6

- --

Dj. Z i t o u r :
La Wmes m r v n i r

Rare ard Fcdemir Placts: O r o d s Mflora

M y r t ~ sc m u r . i s Erica s. p

Gemt2

Resource P l a r t s . : Cerator3.a s i l i q u a Arbatus u e d o Olea eumpaea nleaster R- bus ulmif ~ l i z s V i t i s ririfera

D.

SILIANA

&jar Bmqstems:

High T e l l T a c i s i a c Dorsal

BpcifSx S i t e s I m p o r t a c t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y :
D j e b e l Bargo;: S e c t i o r 3.4.3.7 D . S e r d j : S e c t i o r 3.4.3.6 j Dj. Z i t o a c La Xhmes R e s e r v o i r Flora:

Xa-l

f o r e s t : 1 5 , 7 C O ha ; . l e ~ p r , pir.e, h o l n oak, :"lkktar c y p r e s s I%o_xis: J s r i ~ e r Clea-ler.tisc;s Czltissirc: :25,003 ns

R a r e ax2 Erdenic F l a r t s :

Orwis b i f i ~ r a rA N 7elilotiis elegacs rCA T r i f o l i ~ ms t r i a t s m rllA HeSysar-dm h z m i l e f o r t a c e s j i T Lathy r i s s e t i f o l i i i s TA Ophrys s c o l o p e x rA X Rac;rc;ls f a l c a t s s ssp. TA 3mar.ja nacrosepala Y' A Drzba h l s p a c i c a T Arabis verca T A. parvzle T A. hirs;ta 3A Spergzla pertardra r Eose a g r e e s r 5 s rT

Sorbus a r i a L i r u n corymbiferurn lambesanum Cotoceaster racemiflora Crepis tucetace Silece tucetara Acer m o c s p e s s ~ l a c u m Rupicapcos nimidiccs ssp. Reseda d u r i a e a c a C c p r e s s u s semper.virecs f . G e r i s t a microcephala t u r e t a n a D i a ~ t h u sg a d i t a n u s Polygocum b a l a n s a e A s t r a g z l ~ sc r d c i a t z s a r i s t i d i s Plactago tccetaca

nediciral Placts: Rosmarieus o f f i c i n a l i s t + ? y r t s sc o n m a r i s Erica sp. Gecetic Resoarce P 1 a r . t ~ : Ceratoria siliqza A r b i i t ~ sa c e d o Olea e u r o p a e a o l e a s t e r F u b s s a l m j f o l i 2s Vj t i s v i c i f e r a

Pistacia lentiscus C u p r e s s u s sempervirerxi Tamarix s p .

Quercus suber Q. i l e x Crataegus azarolus Hedysarum c o r o r a r i z m I?. pallidun

Siliana (~ o n t i c u e d )

Mammals:

Wild b o a r Hyeca Jackal Red f o x Kaffir cat Commor g e r e t E g y p t i a n morgoose Browr h a r e Great c r e s t e d grebe Peregrire Kestrel Co9t Woodcock roo?, p i g e o c s o c k cove

XA

A l g e r i a n hedgehog Crested porcupice Shew's .tird ~ e r b i l l i s ampestris ( g e r b i l ) c F i e l d mouse Jaculus o r i e n t a l i s (jerboa) Chiropidae

Birds:

r r

E a g l e owl B a r r owl S h o r t - e a r e d owl S a r d i n i a r warbler R ~ f o u sb u s h c h a t Blackbird Chef f i r - c h

Icfluecces : Sone rosemary h a r v e s t i c g Cultjvatioc, grazirg, erosior Dams Tinber harvestjcg D j . Serd j Plartatiocs Aix Boa S a a d i a , 1 2 ha p r o t e c t e d s i c c e 1901 Reserve

r = 9a1.e t = Threater-ed r. = N e s t i r g Bird

Xk = !Jorth A f r i c a Ecdemic

Th = ~ a c i s i a / A l ~ e r iErdemic a

E.

BIZERTE

Area:

3 5 0 , 0 0 0 ha Mogod Mountains Coast Med j e r d a V a l l e y Mateur P l a i n

Major Ecosystems:

Specific S i t e s Impartart t o Biological Diversity: I c h k e i l N a t i o c a l P a r k : S e c t i o c s 3.3.1A, 3.4.1F, 5.4.2 Lake B i z e r t e : S e c t i o c 3.3.1B R e s e r v o i r s : Oueds S e j c a c e , Melah, Joumine, C h e z a l a , B e s b e s i a S a c r e d Wood: S e c t i o n 3.4.1.5 O ~ e dMed j e r d a E s t a a r y : S e c t i o r 3 . l . 2 B G a r a e t S e j c a r e : Temporary w e t l a r d w i t h s e v e r a l r a r e p l a c t s Flora : Kat.irel F o r e s t : Csrk oak, kermes a a k , a l e p p o p i c e P l a r t e d F o r e s t : > 1 8 , 0 0 0 ha Aleppo p i r e , p i g r o r p i n e , e u c a l y p t u s Xaqsis: Olea-lectiscus C u l t i v a t e d Lard: 200,000 ha Falophj l e s :are ard Fcdenic P l a r t s : r S a l j x pcrpurea r Rarurculus parviflorus r E. o p h i o g l o s s ~ m r Spargarium erectam r Nynphaea a l b a r Potamogetor l u c e c s r P. r a t a r s

r r rNA T A T T T

L o t u s c r e t i c u s commutatus Echicodorus r a c u r c s l o i d e s Oconis rosea Sedurn tuberosum Limocium b o i t a r d j i Silene barrattei Teucrium s c h o e c e c b e r g e r i

Fediclral Plarts: Cappar5.s s p 7l r o s a Pistacia lertiscus Myrtus cornmucis Asphodelus m i c r o c a r p u s Gecetlc Resosrce P l a ~ t s : C e r a t o r i i a s i l l qua Olea e a r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Arbatus uredo

E r i c a sp. Tamarix s p . Euphorbia s p .

Quercus suber Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Hedysarum c o r o n a r i u m

Bizerte (~octicaed)

Mammals :
r

Buffalo Wild b o a r Otter E g y p t i a c mocgoose Jackal Red f o x Browc h a r e X l g e r i a c hedgehog Zorilla lybica Crested p o r c s p i c e

NA

NA

Shaw's j i r d F i e l d mouse C e r b i l l u s cam e s t r i s ( g e r b i l ) J a c r l u s a;-(jerboa) E l i omys q u e r c y r u s Rhinolophus e u r y a l e (bat) R. ferrum-equicum M y o t i s rnyoti s Kinopterus schrej b e r s i i " Arvicacthus b a r b a ~ x s Hoilse m3JS.e
*I
*I

Eiras:
SFF F i g i r e 7 , Birds of I c h k e ~ l

R e ~ t i l e szr? A n ~ h i b i a c s( f r o n UCL 1977) : Fare ritib-cde Lacerta ocellata Psammodromas a l g i r u s F!. e s c d e c t a Chalcidfs chalcides 3 i s c o g l o s s ~ sp i c t u s C. o c e l l e t u s a;f~ ~ A O viric?:s Tarertola rnauritarica Chamaeleor. chamaeleoc 3. m a c r i t a r - i c ; s ( scake) N a t r i x maara Eyle a r b o r e a Malpoloc rnocspessulacus " P l e ~ r o d e l e sp o i r e t i Corocella girocdica Yestcdo graeca Vipera l e b e t i c a Clenmys l e p r o s a Emys b r o i c ~ l a r i s

!?.

I ,

Icflsecces: F j r e b r e a k c r e a t i o r and m a i c t e c a c c e
1%:~ rt.;s

hervestixg

F i s h t r a p s or. Lake I c h k e u l and Lake R i z e r t e C u l t i v a t i o c , g r a z i n g and e r o s i o c Dams or. t h e r i v e r s f l o w i c g i r t o Lake I c h k e a l Port a c t i v i t y Deve1opmer.t

I '

= FEN

!:A

t = tnreateced

Tk

T!orth A f r i c a Z ~ d e n j c T u c i s i a / ~ l g e r i a Ecdenj c ' ? = ?;r.isia Ecdenic

= =

F.
Area: 290,000 ha

NABEUL

Major Ecosystems:

Tucisiac Dorsal Coastal

Specific S i t e s Importact t o Biological Diversity: D j e b e l S i d i Abder Rahnace: S e c t i o c 3.4.3.13 D j e b e l Korbous Zembra I s l a c d : S e c t i o n 3.2.2 Korba Lagoocs, S e b k h e t s E l Houaria acd F a r d j o u c a S o l i m a c Marshes: S e c t i o c 3.1.2B Oaed e l Abid R e s e r v o i r s : Lebna, Somaa Flora : N a t - r a l F o r e s t : Kermes o a k , holm o a k , c o r k oak Planted Forest: Eucalyptus, a c a c i a , aleppo p i c e , pigcnc pice Yaquis: O l e a - l e c t i s c u s , retama C z l t i v z t e d P l a i c : 215.000 ha
Rare a r d E c d e r n i c P l a r t s :

Sacguisorba spicosa Aveca l o c g i g l u m i s Keliot;ls e l e g a c s i. macrocarpa Y Silecf ceglecta S. s e d o i d e s Lavatera p a c c t a t a Sisymbrium p o l y c e r a t u m Sagica a p e t a l a c i l i a t a Cocvovulvus cceorum Eragrostis trichophora Echicodoris racucculoides Exaculam p u s i l l u m J a s i o r e humili s I r i s xiphium Koeleria splendecs Lolium temulectum Airopsis t e c e l l a Avellicia michelli Aster tripolium Carex f l a c c a eu-glauca Cyclamec a f r i c a c u m C h a e t o c y c h i a cymosa Meriophy l l u m s p i c a tum S a l p i c h r o a rhomboidea Sececio l i v i d u s S. f o l i o s i l s Vicia s i c a l a V. d i s p e r m a E ~ p h o r b i asquamigera

T A Reseda d u r i a e a c a
TA T T rNA NA

rNA r
XA

T v

T
rT v vNA NA rNA TA T v

r r r r r r r r r

Sedum tuberosum Scabiosa f a r i c o s a Crepis tacetaca Juccus subnodulosus Erodium hymecoides E. mucbyacum E. maritirnum B r a s s i c a c r e t i c a a t l a c t i ca Licaria cossoci L. P e l l e c e r i a n a Scabiosa f a r i c o s a Diacthus rupicola hermaecsis C e c t a ~ r e ae r i o p h o r a C. c i n e r a r e a gymrocarpa subv. Geci s t a a s p a l a t h o i d e s Bun5um c r a s s i f o l i u m Lepidium g l a s t i f o l i u m Silene barrattei S. m o l l i s i m a Cystopteris f i l i x - f r a g i l i s ssp Cectunculus bricimus E l a t i c e hydropiper peducculata H e l i acthemum s a l i c i f o l i u m s s p . Plactago cororopus ssp. Swcowia balearica Racuncalus p a r v i f l o r u s Lathyras acczas Ceraciun c l m b i c a

Nabeul ( c o n t i c u e d l

Kedi c i c a l P l a r t s : Myrtus commucis Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s Pistacia lectiscus G e c e t i c Resource P l a n t s : Ceratoria s i l i q u a Olea e z r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Orchids: Ophrys a p i f e r a 0. bombyljflora T!eotf r i a i c r a c t a Acacamptis p u r a m i d e l i s H n a r t o g l o s s u m hi rcicum :

Callitris articulata Euphorbj a s p . Erica multiflora

Quercus sp. V i t i s vinifera Orchis p a l u s t r i s 0. p a t e r s 0. c h o r i o p h o r a 0. papiliocacea Serapias parviflora S. l i r g u a s s p . e 2 - l i c g a a

Fzxa : Kamz:lals:
b ' i l d boar (xcomnoc) Jackal Red fox Kafflr cat E g y p t i a r norgoose E ~ r o p e a cr a b b i t s s p .

NA NA

. Sirds:

Black r a t Shew's j i r d G e r b i l l u s cam e s t r i s ( g e r b i l ) J a c u l u s or-(jerboa) F i e l d mouse Eliongs quercyrus

See Fig;re

11

Sparrouhewk t r a p p i c g : Use2 f o r h u r t i n g , ther. r e l e a s e d H x t l r g acd p o a c h i c g P o l l u t i o r : Sewage d i s c h a r g e , dumpice Dams T o ~ r i s t i cdevelopmeet

Crazirg, c i l t i v a t i a c ,
erosioc

v = Very Rare I' = Rare

N A = Gorth A f r i c a Ecdemic ? A = Tcci s j a / ~ l g e r i aEcdemj c T = T~cisia Erdemic

F i g u r e 11 Bj r d s o f t h e Nabeul C o u v e r c o r a t ( f r o m S c a c e 1977, ICRP 1987)

Gancet Grey heror. Little egret t White s t o r k Black s t o r k Crace Greater flamicgo Spoorbill Glossy i b i s Shelduck Kallard Osprey Black k j t e t Red k i t e Short-toed e a g l e Narsh h a r r i e r Her h a r r i e r Pallid harrier M o x t a g ~ 'h~a r r i e r Sparro-,:hawk L e v a c t sparrowhawk Biizzard Locg-legged b u z z a r d Horey b x z a r d Lesser spotted eagle Booted e a g l e Bocelli 's eagle Egyptiar v ~ l t u r e Red-footed f a l c o c Plerlic Hobby Eleocora' s f a l c o c Saker f a l c o c Laccer f a l c o c t Peregrice

Kestrel
Lesser k e s t r e l Barbary p a r t r i d g e Quail Coot Moorhec Black V i r g e d - s t i l t Oystercatcher Avocet Ricged p l o v e r L i t t l e rireed plover Kectish plover L i t t l e stict Temmirck's s t i c t Redshark Spotted redshack Greershack Curlew s a c d p i p e r Commoc s a c d p j p e r B l a c k - t a i l e d godwlt Slender-billed g u l l Mediterraceac g z l l Little gull Herricg g u l l Black terc L i t t l e terc Caspiac t e r c Palm d o v e Roller Bee e a t e r Cuckoo Hoopoe Wrer Lesser short-toed l a r k

Galerid l a r k s Fac-tailed warbler Blackcap Uhj t e t h r o a t Bocelli' s warbler Chiffchaff Goldcrest Spotted flycatcher Red-backed s h r i k e Yellow w a g t a i l Grey w a g t a i l Tree p i p i t \r!ater p i p i t Swallcw House n a r t i c Black r e d s t a r t Redstart St o r e c h a t Koussier' s r e d s t a r t Rlackbi rd Nightir-gale Rufous bashchat Robic Goldficch Chaffjrch Serir Oriole Durrock Spacish sparrow Ravec Great grey s h r i k e Woodchat s h r i k e

t = Threatened species

G.

TUNIS

Area:

125,000 ha
Coast: Gulf o f T u n i s M a r i r e Lake Wed j e r d a V a l l e y

Major Ecosystems:

Specific S i t e s Importact t o B i o l o g i c a l Diversity: Lake T x i s : S e c t i o n 3.3.1.3 Sebkhet A r i a c a : S e c t i o c 3.3.2.1 Sebkhet Sedjoumi: 3.3.2.2 Oued Meleg P o r d s Eou K o r n i r e N a t i o r a l Park: S e c t i o c 3.4.3.12 D j e b e l R e s s a s : S e c t i o c 3.4.3.11

ard 5.4.5

Flora : K a t ~ r a lF o r e s t : T h ~ y a , holm oak P l a c t e d F o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e , e u c a l y p t s , a c a c i a , F!aktar c y p r e s s M a q ~ i s : Kermes oak, O l e a - l e r t i s c u s C ~ l t i v a t e dLacd: 65,000 ha lialophiles Rare acd Erdemic P l a c t s : v Cyclanec p e r s i c m r Ophrys s c o l o p a x r Amaracthus g r a c i l i s r Ococis b i f l o r a r 0. p e r d u l a r Rac~ccal-.m s c l e r a t u s r Vicia h j r s u t a r V. b i t h y c j c a v. g e r u i c a M ~ d i c i c a lP l a c t s :
Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s E r i c a sp.

NA XA IJA T A T A T A

Gecista aspalathoides Chamaerops h u m i l i s Srassica cretica atlartica Spergalaria margirata ssp. Sklene tunetaaa K e l i l o t i l s macroczrpa Ocobrychis c a p a t - g a l l i

Fy r t i s commuci s Pistacia lectiscus Globularia alypun Capparis spicosa

Genetic Resocrce P l a c t s : Olea e u r o p a e a o l e e s t e r Ceratoria s i l i q u a Arbutus ucedo

Euphorbia s p . Tamarix sp. Opactia ficus-icdica Lavardula m u l t i f i d a Crateegus a z a r o l a s Quercus i l e x

Tucis ( ~ o r t i n u e d )

Xammals ( f o u c d a t BOG or cine) : Wild Boar Jackal Red fox E g y p t i a n mocgoose Common g e c e t Saharac s t r i p e d weasel Kaffir cat Brwn h a r e Crested p o r c ~ p i c e A l g e r i a r hedgehog Striped r a t D l i o m s quercycus

NA

Hy er.a

NA

Shaw's j i r d Suncus e t r u s c u s ( s h r e w ) Crocidura russula " Rhinolophus eilryale (bat) R. ferrum-equinum R . h i p p o s i d e r o s micimus " K o t i s b l y t h i oxygcathus " Pipistrellus ~ i p i s t r e l l u s " Eptesicds seroticus Mini o p t e r u s s c h r e i b e r s i " F i e l d mouse Jaculus o r i e c t a l i s (jerboa) G e r b i l l ~ s a i n ~ e s t r i s( g e r b i l ) c
11

?!amr.als

Z x t i r p a t e ? f ron t h e R e e i o c : C ~ v i e rs g a z e l l e ' Aozdad S e e 7 i g z r e 12

Serval Caracal

3irds:

B e p t i l e s a r d Amphibiacs: T e s t ~ d og r a e c a ( t o r t o i s e ) B ~ f o auritacicss (toad) m F. v i r i d i s Raca r i d i b x d a Discoglossus pi c t u s Y l a meridior.alis y P l e c r a d e l i s poj r e t t i Tararetola mauritar-ica S t e c o d a c t y l ~ sp e t r i e i Lacerta o c e l l a t a
I!

Psammod romis a l g i r ~ s Chalcides o c e l l a t ~ s C. l i c e a t ~ s Chamaeleoc chamaeleoc N a t r i x maura (snake) Coluber hippocrepis Falpoloc m o ~ s p e s s ~ l a c u s Macropotodoc c u c s l l a t ~ s V i p e r a l e b e t i c a n a ~ r i t a c i c a"
11

1*

Scorpiors: B ~ t h u so c c i t a r u s S c o r p i o maurus

Developmeet: F i l l i ~ g Lake T u r i s , t o u r i s m developmect P o l l a t i o r . : Sewage a r d chemi.ca1 d i s c h a r g e , d u n p i r g S h i p p i c g C a c a l s ir Lake T u c i s F i s h T r a p s i r Lake T n c i s B3; K o r c i r e N a t i o c a l P a r k

v = Very Rare 1. = P a r e

NA h ' o r t h A f r i c a Crdemic T = T x i s i a / ~ l g e r i aEr.denj c A

6

Figure 12 B i r d s o f t h e T u n i s Goavernorat

tr
c t

L i t t l e grebe Great c r e s t e d g r e b e Black-cecked g r e b e Cormorant Grey h e r o c Cattle egret Little egret Spoocbi 1 1 G r e a t e r flamingo White s t o r k Cra~e Greglag goose Kallard )!arbled t e s l Teal Pictail Shoveler Pochard Tafted duck Vhite-headed dzck Osprey Black k i t e Short-toed e a g l e Sparrowhawk Bczzerd Locg-legged bazzard Bocelli' s eagle Booted e a g l e Goiter e a g l e Egyptiar v u l t a r e Karsh h a r r i e r Peregrine Hobby Kestrel Barbary p a r t r i d g e Quail Rock dove T i i r t l e dove

Coot Lapwicg Avocet Black-winged s t i l t Grey p l o v e r Ricged p l o v e r Kentish plover Little stint Redshank Greecshark Curlew s a c d p i p e r Commori s a r d p i p e r Wmd s a c d p i p e r Marsh s a r d p i p e r Duclic Raf f B l a c k - t a i l e d godwit Scipe S t o n e curlew Slecder-billed g u l l Black-headed g a l l Flediterracean g u l l c Herring g a l l Gull-billed t e r c Little tern Sacdwich t e r c Swallow Crag m a r t i c Meadow p i p i t Water p i p i t Grey w a g t a i l Yellow w a g t a i l White w a g t a i l G r e a t grey s h r i k e Woodchat s h r i k e Starling S p a n i s h sparrow Ravec

NA

Ban: owl Eagle owl S h o r t - e a r e d owl L i t t l e owl Nightjar Swift Alpine s w i f t Bee e a t e r Roller Kicgfisher Hoopoe Short-toed l a r k Skylark Crested l a r k Fac-tai l e d w a r b l e r warbler Blackcap Sardiciac warbler Chiffchaff Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Blue rock t h r u s h Wheatears Redstart Moussier's r e d s t a r t Robin Bluethroat Luscina megarhynchos Cercotrichas galac Blackbird Socg t h r a s h Coal t i t Ortolac Reed b u n t i n g Chafficch Goldfinch Greenfiach Lincet Seric

t = Threatened r = N e s t i c g Bird

I i A = North A f r i c a Yademic

H.

ZAGHOUAN

Area:

375,000 ha T u n i s i a n D o r s a l Mwantaics Sebkhets Ned j e r d a V a l l e y

Ha j o r Ecosystems:

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Important t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : D j e b e l Zaghouan: S e c t i o n 3.4.3.9 D j . Macsoar: S e c t i o c 3.4.3.6 D j . BOG S a f r a : S e c t i o n 3.4.3.10 B i r Fiecherga R e s e r v o i r Sebkhet K o u r z i a : 3.3.2.3 Flora : I J a t d r a l F o r e s t : 3 2 , 0 0 0 ha Aleppo p i c e , t h u y a Plar-ted F o r e s t : 14,580 ha Aleppo p i c e : 1 4 , 0 0 0 ha E u c a l y p t u s , a c a c i a . l-iaktar c y p r e s s : 58C ha Kaquis: 23,685 ha O l e a - l e c t i s c u s , j u c i p e r , degraded a l e p p o pSce f o r e s t C ~ l t i v a t e d : 245,000 ha Rare acd Erdemic P l a r t s : v S a x i f r a g a dichotoma r Acer m o n s p e s s ~ l a c u m r Rosa s t y l o s a T Arabis h i r s u t a T Linaria scariosa 7 L. r e f l e x a V . doumeti ' Medicinal P l a c t s : Rosmaricss o f f i c i c a l i s G l o b a l a r i a alypum Pistacia lectiscus Callitris articulata C e c e t i c R e s o ~ r c eP l a n t s : Ceratocia s i l i q u a Olea e u r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Fauca : Mammals: t Wild b o a r Hyeca (:cconxnoc) Jackal Red fox Browc h a r e E g y p t i a n mocgoose Commoc g e r e t A l g e r i a x hedgehog Crested p o r c s p j c ~ S > c c a s e t r ~ s c a s( s h r e w ) FA IIA T A T A Gecista aspalathoides G. tricuspidata Lepidium g l a s t i f o l i u m Reseda d u r i a e a c a S i c a p s i s pubescecs b r a c h y l o b a P h a g c a l o c cycodoc Euphorbia sp. E r i c a sp. A s p h o d e l ~ sm i c r o c a r p u s

T
r

Hedysarurn c o r o c a r i m Jasmicum f r u t i c a c s

Zeghouen ( c o n t i n u e d )

Birds: Black-necked g r e b e Greater flamingo h l l a rd Pochard Merlin Kestrel Peregrine Golden e a g l e Egyptian v u l t u r e Griffon vulture Eerbary p a r t r i d g e Quail Coot Lapwir-g L i t t l e r i ~ e e dp l o v e r Kentish p l o v e r Little stint Greershank B l a c k - t a i l e d godwit Common t e r n Woodcock Snipe Wood p i g e o n Rock dove T u r t l e dove Barn. owl E a g l e owl Galerid l a r k s S a r d i r i a n warbler Redstart h'heatear Blackbird Chaffinch Serir Goldfir-ch Starlirg Raver

tn

Influences : Forest f i r e s , firebreaks Hsnting Cultivation, grazirg, erosior Soil Corservatior t e r r a c i r g P e m a n e r t r e s e r v e s : D j e b e l Zagho-3ar ( 4 , 7 7 5 h a ) ; D j Bou S a f r a c. 500 ha

a Very R a r e r = Rare t = Threatered n = ?!estirg Bird

NA = N o r t h A f r i c a Fkdemic T = T i x i s i a / A l g e r i e Endenic A T = T ~ r i s i aErdernic

I.

KAIROUAN

Area:

665,000 ha T u c i s i a c Dorsal Hountains Low S t e p p e

Major Ecosystems:

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : D j e b e l O u s s e l a t : S e c t i o c 3.4.3.5 A i r Chrichira Sebkhet S i d i e l Haci: S e c t i o n 3.3.2.5 Lake Metbasta: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.8 R e s e r v o i r s : Nebhaca, S i d i Saad Flora : N a t u r a l F o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e P l a r t e d F o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e , e u c a l y p t u s , a c a c i a , c y p r e s s Kaql;is: 4 0 , 0 0 0 h a Rosemary, Degraded a l e p p o p i c e f o r e s t E s p a r t o G r a s s S t e p p e : 20,000 ha C x l t i v a t e d : 460,000 ha Rare acd 5cdemic P l a c t s : r RacxrciAzs s c l e r a tas 1. A t r i p l e x t a t a r j ca r Glicss lotoides r. P o t e r . t i . l l a s s p i e a r Rose a g r e s t i s Fedicical Plarts: C a p p a r i s spir.osa ~ o & a r i r u s -of f j c i c a l i s Pistacia lentiscus Gecetic Resoirce P l a r t s : Ceratocia s j l i q u a Olea e s r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Fauca : Eamme 1s: Wild boar Hyeca Jackal Red f o x Browr. h a r e E g y p t i a n mongoose Common g e n e t A l g e r i a n hedgehog Crested porcupice

NA T T T

Polygocum b a l a c s a e D i a c t h u s gad5 t a n u s Ferula tunetaca Astragalus cruciatus a r j . s t t d i s

G l o b a l a r i a alypum Tamarix s p .

C r a t a e g u s sp.

Kairouac ( ~ o n t i c u e d )

Birds: -

tc r. c Inflsecces:

L i t t l e grebe Great c r e s t e d grebe Black-cecked g r e b e Grey heron Little egret G r e a t e r flamicgo Mallard Pictail Avocet Black w i c g e d - s t i l t Kectish p l o v e r Cream c o l o r e d c o J r s e r Collared p r a t i c c o l e S t o r e curlew White-wicged b l a c k t e r c Little terc Black-bellied sacderouse Harsh h a r r i e r Borelli's eagle Booted e a g l e P~regrice Kestrel Egyptiac v ~ l t u r e

Barbary p a r t r i d g e Crane tr, Houbara b ~ s t a r d Coot Rock dove Palm dove L i t t l e owl Bare owl Hoopoe Lesser short-toed l a r k Short-toed l a r k Galerid larks Sky l a r k G r e a t grey s h r i k e Black wheatear Blue rock t h r u s h Rufous bashchzt Fulvous b a b b l e r r. Rock sparrow Spanish sparrow Starlirg Raver. c

Karble q.aar~-y: D j e b e l O u s s e l a t Hucticg and poachicg Cultivat i o c , grazicg , erosioc S o i l Cocssrvatioc t e r r a c i c g Dams OK r i v e r s f l o w i n g i n t o Sebkhet Kelbia

r = Rare t = Threateced c = Mesticg B i r d s

NA = North A f r i c a Ecdemic T = T a c i s i a Ecdemic

J.
Area: 800,000 ha

KASSERINE

Major Ecosystems:

Tunisiac Dorsal Maintains High S t e p p e Secs. 3.4.3.1-4

Specific S i t e s I m p r t a c t t o Biological Dtversity: D j e b e l s Chambi, B i r e c o , K r h i l l a , S e l l o m : Kechem e l Kelb Reserve: S e c t i o c 5.4.11 Flora : R a t u r a l F o r e s t : 151,000 ha A l e p p ~p i n e , holm oak F l a c t e d F o r e s t : C . 1 , 6 0 0 ha Aleppo p i c e , e d c a l y p t u s , a c a c i a 110,000 ha ( o f t e c w i t h a l e p p o p i c e ) !;aq;is: Rosemary, j ~ n i p e r % p e r t o C r a s s l a r d : 173,000 ha C z l t i v a t e d : 1 0 5 , 0 0 0 ha
Rare acd Ecdemic P l a c t s : v Delphi c i m b a l a ~ s a e r. V c i a v i l l o s a dasy c a r p a i r Trigorella gladjata r Leoctice l e m t ~ p e t a l t i m r Bdf f o c i a t e c u i f o l i a r Arecarj a emargicata rTk E r a s s i c a dimorpha T A Reseda a l p h o c s i i T A R. d u r i a e a c a 74 I b e r i s o d o r a t a b a l a c s a e '. T A Rtipicapcos c u m i d i c u s s s p .

rNA r?!A rNA rHA ?A ! T T T T

Cotoceaster racemiflora Stipa f o ~ t a ~ e s i i Campacula a t l a c t i c a Sorbus a r i a P o l y g o ~ u mb a l a c s a e Silece barrattej Astragalis cruciatas a r i s t i d i s Onocis n a t r i x f i l i f o l i a G e n i s t a microcephala t u n e t a n a rT S t i p a l a g a s c a e l e t o u r c e u x i j T Diacthus gaditacus

I 4 ~ d i c i c a lP l a r t s : C l o b u l a r t a alypum Artemisia campestris Rosmarinus o f f i c i n a l i s G e c e t i c Resozrce P l a c t s i Olea e a r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Arbctus ucedo

Pistacia lectiscus Retama raetam

Quercus j l e x Crataegas azarolus

Kasserine (~ o c t i c u e d )

Faxa: k!ammals:
W i l d boar

t t

Aoudad ( r e i n t r o d u c e d ) Cuvier' s g a z e l l e Hyeca Jackal Red fox Kaffir cat Commor. g e c e t Algeri a r hedgehog White hedgehog Erowc h a r e Crested p o r c z p i c e
Ci;r.di

NA

Saharan s t r i p e d weasel Eliamys quercycus Noruay r a t Black r a t House mouse Shaw's j i r d

" F o t i s b l y t h i s oxygcathus "

Pipistrellus kuhli
(1

R. e u r y a l e b a r b r u s - Hipposideros amirimss R.

1.4

R ~ z t = l e s i ~ dA n ~ h i b i a c s : t D i s c o g l o s s a s p i c tss 3;fo v i r i d i s ( t o a d ) E. r n a ~ r i t a n i c u s " Ysna r i d l b u r d a ( f rag) Testcdo g r a e c a I<a;r.ecys c a s p i c a Stecodactyks petrici T a r e x t o l a m a u r i t a c j ca

Agama m u t a b i l i s Psammodromus a l g i r u s ( l i z a r d ) Acacthodactylus sp. n L a c e r t a sp. Vipera l e b e t i c a ( s c a k e ) Cerasted c o r c a t d s " Psammophis s i b l a c s Chamaeleon chamaeleoc
*I

F o r e s t f i r e s and f i r e b r e a k s Fdeluood c u t t i c g ; some t i m b e r e x p l o i t a t i o r ! C u l t i v e t i o r , overgrazirg, erosior. E s p a r t o g r a s s a r d rosemary h a r v e s t i r g DLXE f o r m a t i o x : micor problem t e r r a c i c g (30,000 h a ) , runoff c o c t r o l S o i l cocservatice: A g r i c u l t u r a l developrnect C r a z i c g land improvemect Reserves: Chambk N.P. ( s e c t i o n 5.4.3) Kechem e l Kelb Reserve ( s ~ c . 5.4.11)

v = Very Eare r = Rare t = Threat~red

tA = North A f r i c a Endemic ! T b = ~ s c i s i a / ~ l ~ e Ecdemic ria

F i g u r e 13 B i r d s of t h e ' ~ a s s e r i c e ouvernorat C (from D i r . F o r . 1981)

t Red k i t e
L

n Short-toed l a r k
c Lesser sht-td lark n Calandra l a r k n Woodlark n Skylark n Crested l a r k c Thekla l a r k c Swallow n Crag r n a r t j r Sard n a r t j r . House m a r t i r Tree p i p i t Meadow p i p i t c Tawry p j p i t Grey w a g t a i l White w a g t a i l Yellow w a g t a i l c Great grey shrike c Woodchat s h r i k e Reed w a r b l e r G r e a t reed warbler Helodious warbler c Olivaceous warbler n Whitethroat Cardec warbler Blackcap n Orpheac w a r b l e r c S a r d i c i a r warbler Spectacled warbler Willow w a r b l e r Chiffchaff Wood w a r b l e r B o n e l l i ' s warbler Spotted flycatcher Pied f l y c a t c h e r Whirchat c Blue rock t h r d s h c n c c c

n n
n

c c c
m m rn

tr
c c n
c c c c

c
rn c

r.

Black k i t e Short-toed e a g l e Sparrowhawk Locg-legged b u z z a r d Bocelli's eagle Booted e a g l e Goldec e a g l e Egyptiar vulture Griffoc v ~ l t u r e Marsh h a r r i e r !!ortagd1 s h a r r i e r Laecer f a l c o c Peregrice Barbary f a l c o x Hobby Kestrel Barbary p a r t r i d g e Quail Pic- t a i l e d sacdgrosse Black-bellied sacdgrouse Rock dove S t o c k dove T u r t l e dove Bare owl E a g l e owl Locg-eared owl Scops owl L i t t l e owl Eiiropeac r.ight j a r Red-cecked e i g h t j a r Swift Pallid s w i f t Alpice s w i f t Bee-eater Roller Hoopoe

r
r:

r
c c

c c

c
c

Rock t h r a s h Wheatear Desert v h e a t e a r Black-eared w h e a t e a r Kourcicg w h e a t e a r Red-rumped w h e a t e a r Black whea t e a r Black r e d s t a r t Redstart Mo:ssieres r e d s t a r t Robir. Rluethroat Ri g h t i r g a l e R ~ f o z sh z s h c h a t Blackbird Rirg o ~ z e l Sorg t h r u s h Kistle thrzsh Blue t i t C ~ r r zrtirg b C i r l buctirg Ortolar Chafficch Greerfjrch Trdmpeter f i r c h L i c rt ~ Serir C r o s s b j 11 Sparjsh sparrow House s p a r r o w Rock s p a r r o w Starlicg Spotless s t a r l i c g Goldec o r i o l e Raver

c = liestice Birds t = Threatened S p e c i e s

K.
Area:

SIDI BOU Z I D

705,000 ha
Low S t e p p e

Hajor Ecosystems:

High S t e p p e
r.fouctains Sebkhets S p e c i f i c S i . t e s Important t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Bou Hedma N. P.: S e c t i o n s 3.4.4.2, Sebkhets S i d i Macsour acd e r Noual: Sebkhet Mechguig: S e c t i o n 3.3.2.8

3.3.5.3,

a ~ d 5.4.4 S e c t i o c 3.3.2.7

Flora : N a t ~ r a lF o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e , holm oak P l a c t e d F o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e , e a c a l y p t n s , a c a c i a Waq2is: J z c i p e r E s p a r t o G r a s s l a c d : 124,000 ha C c l t i v a t e d : 345,000 ha Rare and Ecdenic P l a c t s : r Saccharzm r a v e n r a e r A r e c a r i a emarginata r Lotus c o c i m b r i c e c s i s r B i s c u t e l l a didymti Medicical Plants: Pistacia lectisczs Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s G l o b u l a r i a alyyim C e r e t i c Resource P l a c t s : Olfa europaea o l e a s t e r Faxa :
Mammals:

T T T A

Dianthus g a d i t a c u s K a r r ~ b i u ma s c h e r s o c i i R u p i c a p ~ o sc u n i d i c u s ssp. apdla Tamaria g a l l i c a Asphodelus sp. Artemisia s p . Acacia r a d d i a r a

t
t t

Dorcas g a z e l l e Slender-horced g a z e l l e Aoudad Addax ( reintroduced) S c i m i t a r - h o m e d oryx " Jackal Seed fox Red fox Kaffir cat Sacd c a t Commor g e r e t Saharan s t r i p e d weasel Rrowc h a r e Crested p o r c ~ p i r e

IZA G ~ r d i
N A Shaw's j i r d

Desert jird Gerbils ( 6 species) Sand r a t Black r a t Palm r a t Hozse mouse L e s s e r Egyptiac jerboa Jerboa Bats: ( 5 s p e c i e s ) r D e s e r t hedgehog R l e p h a r t shrev

S i d i Bou Zid ( c o n t i n u e d )

Birds: - S e e F i g u r e 14 R e p t i l e s and Amphibiacs (from Blanc acd Race r i d i b u c d a Bufo v i r i d i s ( t o a d ) B. m a u r i t a c i c u s " Discoglossus p i c t u s Testudo g. g r a e c a Tarectola mauritanica Tropiocolotes t r i p o l j tanus Stecodactylus s t e ~ o d a c t y l u s Agama m u t a b i l l s Uromastix a c a c t h i c u r i s Chamaeleoc chamafleoc Psammodromus a l g i r i s c o l l i Rremias o l i v e r i Acacthodactylus baskiacus Ophisops o c c i d e c t a l i s Influecces : H u c t i c g and Poaching 1 % of c a t i o c a l t o t a l Esparto g r a s s harvesticg: 10 Caltivati9c, overgrazing, erosioc P a s t n r e fmprovemect: 20,000 ha p l a c t e d t o c a c t u s , a c a c i a atriplex, etc. Boz Hedma N.P. S c a r e 1987): ( snake) Cerastes vipera C. c e r a s t e s " Echis carinatus ** Malpoloc m o i l e c s i s S p h a l e r o s o p h i s diaderna " Naja h. h a j e Psammophis sp. Coluber h i p p o c r e p i s Varacns g r i s e z s Sciccns sciccus (skick) C h a l c i d e s o. o c e l l a t u s " Eumeces e l g e r i e c s i s E. s c h c e i d e r i Sciccopus f a s c i a t u s Sphecops b o a l e c g e r i
11 . I
11

*I

11

I*

r = Rare t = Threateced

NA = Horth A f r i c a Ecdemic a T = ~ u c i s i a / ~ l g e r iBcdemic A T = T u c i s j a Ecdemj c

F i g ~ r e1 4 B i r d s of t h e S i d i Pou Zid Gouvernorat (from D l r . For. 1980)

Black k i t e Short-toed eagle Sparrowhawk Buzzard Larg-legged bazzard Hocey bazzard Boated e a g l e Bocelli' s eagle Colder e a g l e Egyptiac v x l t z r e Griffoc v,ltsre Yarsh h e r r i e r l.!or.tag;'s h a r r i e r P e l l i d harr;er Lamer falcor t Per~gr5r.e YES t re1 Barbary p a r t r i d g e
Q22i?

t Ha,bara

bzstard 2otter~l Stoce c ~ r l ~ w Cream c o l ~ r e dc o u r s e r Spotted sandgrosse Pi--tailed s a c d g r o ~ s e Sleck-bellied sacdgrosse R O C K d5ve T z r t l e dove P a l n dove G r e a t - s p o t t e d csckoo
C;;ckoo

Sarr ml Eagle owl Lor-g-eared owl s c c p s owl L i t t l e owl Kight j a r t Red-recked c i g h t j a r Egyptiar. r i g h t j a r Suif t L i t t l e swift Pallid swjft Alpice s w i f t Eke-~ater 3sller

Hoopoe klryceck Temminck's horned l a r k Hoopoe l a r k Short-toed l a r k Lesser short-toed l a r k Desert l a r k Rar-tailed desert l a r k Dupoct ' s l a r k C a l a ~ra l a r k d Thi c k - b i l l e d l a r k Skylark Crested l a r k Swallow Crag m a r t i r Sand m a r t i c House m a r t i c Tree p i p i t Meadow p i p i t Red- t h m a t e d pi p i t ?awry p i p i t White wagtai l Grey wagtai 1 Yellow w a g t a i l Great grey s h r i k e W o ~ d c h a ts h r i k e Reed w a r b l e r G r e a t reed w a r b l e r Aquatic w a r b l e r Sedge w a r b l e r Far- t a i l e d w a r b l e r S c r ~ b arbler w I c t e r i c e warbler Melodious w a r b l e r Olivaceoas warbler Whitethroat Garden w a r b l e r Blackcap Orpheac w a r b l ~ r Sardiciac warbler Subalpice warbler Desert warbler Spectacled warhler l'armora' s w a r b l e r F i l l o w wa~nbler

Chiffchaff Wood w a r b l e r Bocellj ' s warbler Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Pied f l y c a t c h e r Collared f l y c a t c h e r Storechat Whicchat Blae rock t h r u s h Rock t h r u s h Wheatear Desert wheatear Isabellice wh~atear Blackeared w h e a t e a r K o ~ r c i ~ geatear vh Red-rsmped w h e a t e a r Black w h e a t e a r Black r e d s t a r t Redstart MoassSer' s r e d s t a r t Robic Nighticgale Blue t h r o a t Rufous b a s h c h a t Blackbird Sorg t h r a s h F ~ l v a u sb a b b l e r Blue t i t Wrer Corc b u c t i c g House b m t i c g Ortolar. Chaffirch Goldfinch Greenfinch Linet Trumpeter f i n c h Serir S p a n i s h sparrow Rock sparrow Sp~tless tarlicg a Star1ir.g Colder- o r i o l e Raver

L.

MAHDIA

Area:

280,000 ha Low Steppe Coast Sebkhets

Major Ecosystems:

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y Gulf of Hammarnet: S e c t i o n 3.1.3 Sebkhet Moknice: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.8 Flora : Steppe: Artemisia. Mostly c u l t i v a t e d t o g r a i c s acd o l i v e groves C u l t i v a t e d : 200,000 ha Halophiles: 10,000 ha Rare acd Ecdemic P l a c t s : N S L i mor-iastrum g . 2ociarxm A ~ Fledicical P l a n t s : Artemisia sp. Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a Faaca : Kamals : Jackal Red fox Browc hare Birds: Icfluecces: Cultivatioc, overgrazicg, erosioc S e t t l i r g pond overflow i c t o Sebkhet Mokcire A l g e r i a c hedgehog N A Shawes j i r d Gerbils Solacum sodomaeam Lavacdula n u l t i f i d a

S i m i l a r t o Gabes m i g r a c t s ( F i g u r e 15)

)!AS = Ecdemic t o North African Sahara CA = Erdemic t o North A f r i c a

N.
Area:
105,000 ha

MONASTIR

Major Ecosystems:

Low S t e p p e Coast: Gulf o f Hammamet

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : K u r i a t e I s l a c d : S e c t i o c 3.2.3 Lake M o n a s t i r : S e c t i o n 3.3.1.4 M o c a s t i r S a l t Pocds: S e c t i o c 3.3.1.5 Flora : Steppe: Artemisia. Mostly c u l t i v a t e d t o g r a i c s and o l i v e groves C d t i v a t e d : 80,000 ha Halophiles Ecdemlc P l a c t : NS A Lirnociastrxm g ~ y o c i a c m Pi s t a c i a l e c t i s c a s Lavar.dcla m u l t i f i d a Tamarix sp.

Yedici ca? P l a t t s : A r t e n i s l a SD. Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a Solanum sodomaezm G e c e t i c Resocrce P l a r t : Kanmals : Jackal Red fox A l g e r i a c hedeehog Rrowc h a r e MA
)!A !IA

Crataegus a z a r o l ~ s

European r a b b i t ssp. ( ~ u r i a t e ) C e r b i l l u s campestris ( g e r b i l ) Shaw's j i r d (~ecti.0~ 3.1.3 & 4 ) and:

Birds: - G d f s of Hammamet acd Gabes waders

L i t t l e grebe

Grey heror.

Little egret G r e a t e r flamingo Shelduck Sardiciac warbler Lesser short-toed l a r k Medi t e r r a c e a c g u l l

Herricg g u l l L e s s e r black b a c k Slender-billed g u l l n Little terc Collared p r a t i c c o l e Sky l a r k Spectacled warbler Brambling

Icfluecces:

C u l t i v a t i o c , grazixg , erosior. P o l l u t i o r . : Sewage d i s c h a r g e , dumpi.eg

r.

r1estir.g X r d s

N S = North Africar. Sahara Ecdemic A !]A = 3 o r t h A f r i c a Ecdenlc

N.

SOUSSE

Area:

235,000 ha Low S t e p p e Coast: Gulf o f Hammamet

Major Ecosystems:

Specific S i t e s Importact t o Biological Diversity: Sebkhets: K e l b i a , Haulk e l Meczel, S i d i K h a l i f a , Meczel Dar Be1 Ouar ( ~ e c t i o c s3.3.2.4 & 8) Ozed Essed: S e c t i o c 3.3.4.4 Flora : S t e ? p r : Artomj s l a . >!ostly c ~ l t i v a t e dt o g r a j c s acd o l i v e g r o v e s C z l t i v a t e d : ?7D,OOO ha Halophiles Platted F o r ~ s: E . x a l y p t u s , a l e p p g p i r e t 14aq:is: Oleti-lectiscus, j x i p s r
Rare acd ErdenSc P l a c t s : v Ocoris viscgsa s i e b e r i r Melilotss elegars T Dja c t h z s g a d i t a c s s T !<arr.;bj m a s c h e r s x i

NAS Limoniastrum gzyociar.um T Silene barrattei T Astragalus c r 2 c i a t . x a r i s t i d i s

Yedicical P l a c t s : Artemisia sp. Phwcjx dactylifera Sole~.;m sodomaesm Eosmaricss o f f i c i ~ a l i s G e r s t i c Fieswrce P l a c t :

L a v a ~ d s l am u l t t f i d a Pistacia lectiscus Tamarix sp.

Olea e u r o p a e a o l e a s t e r

Jackal Red f o x Alee r i a c hedgehog

NA NA

Brown h a r e Shaw's j i r d C e r b i l l c s campestris (gerbil)

Sousse ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

Birds: - Gulfs of

Harnmamet and Gabes waders ( ~ e c t i o c s3.1.3 & 4 ) and: Pratincole Cream colored c o u r s e r Little terc C a s p i a r terr. Black t e r n B l a c k - b e l l i e d sacdgrouse Palm dove L i t t l e owl Bee e a t e r Hoopoe Swallow Lesser short-toed l a r k Galerid l a r k s G r e a t grey s h r i k e Far- t a i l e d w r b l e r Olivaceozs warbler h'heatear Black-eared wheatear Black wheatear D e s e r t wheatear Black r e d s t a r t Raver.

tc

tr

Garnet L i t t l e Egret Grey heron Nightheror, Spoorbill G r e a t e r flamicgo Mallard Marbled t e a l ( ~ e l b i a ) Shelduck Wigeor Pirtail Shoveler White-headed dack ( ~ e l b i a ) Crare Eleocora's falcoc Barbary p a r t r i d g e Water r a i l Coot Moorher Parple g a l l i c z l e Little g d l Herricg g u l l

Icfluecces: Gravel removal from Oued Essed P o l l u t i o n : Sewags, dunpicg Caltivatior, grazing, erosioc Dams on r i v e r s f l o w i n g i n t o Sebkhet Kelbin

v = Very Rare r = Rare t = "reatered r = Nestirg Birds

NAS

North A f r i c a c Sahara Erdemic

?:A = North A f r i c a Erdemjc T = Tiicjsja Endemic

Area : 770,000 ha Major Ecosystems: Low Steppe Coast: Gulf o f Gabes Wetlands Islacd

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Thyna S a l i c e s : S e c t i o n 3.3.1.6 Sebkhets: El Djem, Baradaa, E l Cherra ( ~ e c s .3.3.2.6 Kerkeccah I s l a c d : S e c t i o c 3.1.4 Flora : Steppe: Artemisia ard J s j u b e . C ~ l t j v a t e d : 295,000 ha Halophi 1 e s

& 8)

Mostly c u l t i v a t e d t o g r a i r s acd o l i v e s

Rare and Erdenic P l a r t s : NAS Limoriastrum guyociarum r Tretadiclis tecalla r Vicia v t l l o s a p s e ~ d o - c r a c c a T Ococis c a t m s f i l i f o l i a T Marrubim aschersocij. r S p e r g a l a r i a s a l i c a leiosperma T Crepis t u c e t a c a Fediciral Placts: Artemisia sp. C l o b u l a r i a alypum Faxa: Kamnals : Jackal Red fox Algeriac Hedgehog Birds: tr. c
NA NA

Solanun s ~ d o n a e s m Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a

Browc hare Shav's j i r d Jaculas o r i e r t a l i s (jerboa)

Gulf of Cabes waders acd waterfowl ( s e e Figure 15) acd

Grace White-headed duck ( ~ ~ lj e m ) Stone curlew Cream colored c o u r s e r Collared p r a t i c c o l e Rock dove Paln dove Hoopoe Earbary p a r t r i d g e Swallow Short-toed l a r k Lesser s h o r t - t o e d l a r k Crested l a r k Sky l a r k

Woodlark Meadow p i p i t White w a g t a i l Great grey s h r i k e Robic Stonec h a t Moussier's r e d s t a r t Blackbird Socg t h r u s h Fulvous babbler Chaffj cch Starlice Spotless s t a r l i c e S p a ~ i s hsparrow

Sfax (continued)

Icfluences: Hanting acd poaching P o l l u t f oc: Discharge acd dumpicg J e t t y development: Chebba p o r t Beach developmect Cultivation, grazing, erosion

r = Rare c = Nesticg Sirds

RAS = F o r t h A f r i c a r Sahara Ecdemic N A = North A f r i c a Ecdemic T = T u c i s t a Ecdemic

P. Area: 695,000 ha

GABES

Major Ecosystems:

Coast S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l Steppe S u b d e s e r t i c C o n t i n t a l Steppe Douirat Mountains Oases

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B i o l o e i c a l D i v e r s i t y : G d f of Gabes: S e c t i o n 3.1.4 Matmata: S e c t i o n 3.4.5 Oases: Gabes, Mareth, Metaouia, El Hamma ( S e c t i o c 3.7) Sebkhet e l Eamrna: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.11 Flora : Steppe: R h a ~ t h e r i i i m / ~ r t e m i s j a Halophiles Placted F o r e s t : 1,500 ha of e u c a l y p t u s acd a c a c i a Esparto g r a s s l a c d : 40,000 ha C ~ l t i v a t e dSteppe : 65,000 ha Bare acd Ecdemic P l a c t s : NS A v Cor.ocopus l e p i d i o i d e s r Pegacun harmala garamacturn T r 1 4 o r ~ t t i ac a r e s c e c s TL r Vicia v i l l o s a dasycarpa T A r Mocsocia nivea TL r Delphicium p. pubescecs TA r Rmez p i c t u s T A r Ceratophyllum submersum T r Fumaria p a r v i f l o r a T r Prosopis s t e p h a c i a c a NA T b?edicinal -. Placts: Artemisia sp. Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a Retama raetam Rosmaricus o f f i c i n a l i s Limociastrum g a y o c i a c m Fersla t x e t a c a I s a t i s aleppica Reseda duriaeana Gecista microcephala v a r . Zygophyllun c o r c ~ t u m Silece r e t i c ~ l a t a Diacthus g a d i t a c u s Lathyrus c u m i d i c ~ s T e u c r i ~ nalopeczros Marrubiun a s c h e r s o c j i

Peganum harmala Asphodelus sp. Tamarix sp. Globularia a l y p m Olea europaea o l e a s t e r

Gecetic Resource P l a n t s : Ceratocia s i l i q u a ( ~ a t m a t a )

Gabes ( ~ o c t i n u e d )

Mammals: Yild b o a r (~ccornmoc) Aoudad (N of E l amm ma) Dorcas g a z e l l e ( ~ h o t t ) t Hyeca ( v e r y uncommon) .Jackal Red fox Sacd fox A l g e r i a c hedgehog

r t

NA NA

Common g e c e t C r e s t e d porcapine Brown h a r e Gundi Shaw's j i r d Rats Eliomys quercycus Chiropidae .

'

Birds: - See F i g o r e

15

Zrdenic crdstacezr.: Tnermosbaexa m i r a b i l i s ( ~ e b k h e tE l

an ma)

Ic~~;"~cBs: F o l l ~ t i o c :Z i s c h a r g e , dumpicg, chemical i c d u s t r i e s Va t e r n a c l p ~ l a t i o : pampicg , i r r i g a t i o c c H x t i r g acd poachicg: Hare, p a r t r i d g e , g a z e l l e s , aoudad Commercial f l s h i r g C ~ l t i v a t i o c ,o v e r g r a z i n g , e r o s i o ~ D e s e r t i f i c a t i o r : 2 , 3 0 0 ha t h r e a t e c e d by d u r e s P l a c t a t i o r s : Due f i x a t i o c a r d s o i l s t a b i l i z a t i o r . Sol1 cocservatioc terracicg P a s t ; r e improvemert : Forage p l a c t i c g Past;re r e s e r v e : 5 , 0 0 0 ha

v = Very Rare r = Pare t = Threat~red T = T x i s i a Ecdernic

NAS

n o r t h A f r i c a c Sahara Endemic

H A = North A f r i c a Ecdemic

T = T u c i s i a / ~ l g e r i aEcdernic A TL = T a c i s j a / L i h y a Ecdemic

F i g ~ r e15 B i r d s o f t h e Gabes G o u v e r c o r a t

L i t t l e grebe Great c r e s t e d grebe Black-cecked g r e b e Cory s s h e a r w a t e r Gaccet Connoract Squacco h e r o n c* L i t t l e e g r e t Great white e g r e t Little bitterc Porple heroc Grey h e r o c Glossy i b i s t* White s t o r k Slack s t o r k Spoccbill * G r e a t e r flarnir-go c* Shelduck
Wieeor.

"
c*

Gadwall )!allard Pocha rd

Teal Pictail Gargacey Shoveler Karsh h a r r i e r Her. h a r r i e r B~zzard Lorg-legged b x z a r d Goldec e a g l e Osprey Kestrel Nerlic Lacner f a l c o c t Peregrice Egyptiac v u l t u r e Barbary p a r t r i d g e Q~ail Koorhec Coot Crees t Houbara b u s t a r d Oystercatcher E h c k - w i r g e d sti l t c* Avocet Store curlew Li t t l e r i c g e d p l o v e r Rir.ged p l 3 v e r

*
r*

c
n

* *

Curlew s a c d p i p e r Dunlin Rcf f Broad-billed sandpi p e r B l a c k - t a i l e d godwit Bar- t a i l e d g o d w i t Whimbrel S l e n d e r - b i l l e d curlew Curlew Grey p l o v e r Little stict Spotted redshack Pedshar-k Greccshack Greec s a c d p i p e r Marsh s a c d p i p e r Vood s a c d pi p e r Comnoc s a c d p l p e r Turrstoxe Woodcock Sacde r1ir.g Kcot Lapwicg Rsd-cecked p h a l a r o p e Pona r i c e s k c a A r c t i c skza G r e a t skua Mediterraceac g u l l Little gsll Black-headed g u l l Slecder-billed g c l l Comnoc g u l l L e s s e r b l a c k back H ~ r r i c gg u l l G r e a t b l a c k backed g a l l Kittiwake Little tern Gull-billed t e r c Black t e r r . White-winged b l a c k t e r c Caspiac t e r c Lesser-crested t e r c Whiskered t e r c Sandwich t e r c Commoc t e r c Grejr p l o v e r Golder plover Dotterel Ker-tish plover

Kicgfisher Hoopoe Short-toed l a r k Wryneck Sand m a r t i n Crested l a r k Swallow Hoxe martic Meadnw p i p i t Vood p i p i t Tawcy p i p i t Red-throated p i p i t Water p i p i t White u a c t a i l Yellow wagtai 1 Grey wagtai 1 Robic Black r e d s t a r t Masssier's redstart

Rock t h r o s h Sore thrush Stocechat I s a b e l l i c e wheatear Wheatear Red-runped w h e a t e a r E o ~ r c i r gw h e a t e a r Blackbird Rufozs b c s h c h e t Aquatic warbler Reed w a r b l e r Fac- t a i l e d w a r b l e r Xarmora's w a r b l e r Spectacled warbler Sardiciac warbler Subalpice warbler Chiffchaff Whitethroat Rlackcap Fulvous b a b b l e r Great grey s h r i k e Woodchat s h r i k e Core b x t i c g Reed b c c t i c g T r ~ m p e t e rf i c c h Limet Goldfir.ch Greecflcch

F i g u r e 15 ( ~ o c t i n u e d )

Roller Rock dove Palm dove T u r t l e dove Bee e a t e r Oriole Skylark Calandra l a r k Lesser short-toed l a r k Thick-billed l a r k

Barn owl Scops owl L i t t l e owl Short-eared owl Swift o r p a l l i d swift White-rumped s w i f t Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Collared f l y c a t c h e r Pied f l y c a t c h e r Raven

Serin Chaf f i m h Siskin Spotless s t a r l i n g Spa~ish sparrow S t a r1ir.g Wood w a r b l e r Olivaceous warbler Sedge w a r b l e r

r. = r e s t i r . & b i r d s t = threatered species * = > 15 of p o p c l a t i o r of flyway o r b i o g e o g r a p h i c a l r e g i o c

Area:

705,000 ha Subdesertic L i t t o r a l Steppe S u b d e s e r t i c C o ~ t i n t a lS t e p p e Low S t e p p e Mozntains Oases

Najor Ecosystems:

S p e c i f i c S i t e s I n p ~ r t a c tt o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Bou Hedma N a t i o n a l P a r k ( i r p a r t ) : S e c t i o n 5.4.4 O r b a t a Reserve acd X o a c t a i c D j e b e l s : Bos Rarnli, S e ~ e d Sebkhets: E l G a e t t a r , E l Aqsila Oases: Gafsa (2057 h a ) , L a l l a ( 7 0 0 h a ) , E l G u e t t a r (527 h a ) Flora: P l a c t e d F o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e , e u c a l y p t a s , a c a c j a Kaqzis: J x l p e r , retama E s p a r t o G r a s s l a r d : 1 1 9 , 0 0 0 ha C o l t i v a t e d : 193,000 ha
Steppe

Halophiles Rare acd B c d e c i c P l a r t s : r Acabasis a p h y l l a 1iAS L i r n o c i a s t r ~ mguyociacum r R a c z c c ~ l u sf a l c a t u s i c c i i r v u s r N A Ococis rosea r R. falcatzs ea-falcatzs T 0. c a t r i x f i l i f o l i a r T e l e p h i m sphaerosperrnum T Reseda a l p h o c s i i A T Ferola t x e t a c a T R. d ~ r i a e a c a A 9 A s t r a g a l x crzcietus a r i s t i d i s T Oreoblitoc thesioldes A Kedlciral Placts: Artenisj a sp. Bosmaricus of f i c i c a l i s G l o b z l a r l a alypzm Gecetic Resource P l a n t : Fauca: Mammals :

Lavacdula r n u l t i f i d a Retama raetarn Tamarix s p .

Olea e s r o p a e a o l e a s t e r

t t t
r

r
r

Dorcas g a z e l l e Slecder-horced g a z e l l e Aoddad Crested porcapice Jackal Sacd f o x Red f o x Kaffir cat Sacd c a t Cornnor. g e c e t Saharec s t r i p e d weasel ? r o w hare

N A Gundi N A Shaw's j i r d Desert j i r d Sand r a t Black r a t Palm r a t Hozse moJse L e s s e r Eeyptiac jerboa Jerboa Bats ( 5 species) r D e s e r t hedgehog Elephart shrev Gerbils

Cafsa ( ~ o c t i n u e d )

Birds: - S i m i l a r t o S i d i Bou Zid Grey heror.

( s e e Figure 1 4 ) , plus: Bearded v u l t u r e ( ~ e d e ~ e f ) Crane Moorhen S t o c k dove

t White s t o r k
Shelduck Mallard Teal

Irfl~erces: F u r t j r g axd p o a c h i r g Esparto g r a s s h a r v e s t i c e C.iltivatioc, grazicg, erosioc, d e s e r t i f i c a t i o ~ So; 1 C o n s e r v a t i o r : T e r r a c e s , embarknects, p l a c t a t i o c s R e s e r v e s : BOG Hedna K.P. 4500 ha i r t h e Couverr.orat 260 h a , d o r c a s g a z e l l e s , o s t r i c h Orbata D j . S ~ r e d H u r t i r e ard g r a z i r g prohibited

r = Rare t = Throat~red '7 = T - c i s i e h d e m i c

M S = N ~ r t hA f r i c a n Sahara Ecdemic A C k = North A f r i c a Rrdemic FA = ~ x 5 s i a / k . l p - ? r i a E r d e n i c

R.
Area: 2,035,000 ha

KEBILI

Major Ecosystems:

S u b d e s e r t i c C o r t i c t a l Steppe Grand E a s t e r n E r g Chott Oasis

Specific S i t e s Importart t o Biological Diversity: Ksar C h i l a n e A r t i f i c i a l Lakes: S e c t i o n 3.3.2.15 C h o t t J e r i d : S e c t i o c 3.3.2.13 Kebili-Douz O a s e s : 1 5 i c C o u v e r c o r a t (6,000 h a ) Flora : Kaqdis: J u c i p e r d e g r a d a t i o c S t e p p e : Rhactherium, Arthrophytum C u l t i v a t e d : 292,000 ha Rare acd Ecdemic P l a c t s : rXAS A s t r a g a l u s gombiformis rNA Gerista saharae T A ~ a r r h i ~ abrevifolium m Mediciral P l a c t s : Retama r a e t a m Phoerix d a c t y l i f e r a Mamma 1s: t Dorcas g a z e l l e (Dj. ~ e b a g a ) t Slecder-horced g a z e l l e t Aoudad (uncommoc) Jackal Red fox NA Feccec f o x girds: Greater flamicgo Bitterc Mallard W i geor Cadwall Pintail Shoveler Teal 1.ioorher Houbara b a s t a r d Earbary p a r t r i d g e Rock dove P a l n dove T z r t l e dove

T A T A T A

Reseda a l p h o r s l i R. d i x i a e a r e Zygophuyllum corcutum

Asphodelis sp. Euphorbia s p .

Kaffir cat E g y p t i a n morgoose Browr h a r e C r e s t e d p o r c u p i r e (!,! o f ~ h o t t s ) Gerbillus simorj (gerbj 1 )

Black-bellied sardgrouse L i t t l e owl Long-eared owl Hoopoe l a r k Crested l a r k Great grey s h r i k e White w a g t a i l Scrdb warbler Sardiciac warbler Storechat Desert wheatear E o u r r i r g wheateer S p a r j s h sparrow Raver

K e b i l i (continued)

Icfluences: Hunting ( l a k e s ) and poaching ( g a z e l l e s and h a r e s ) Charcoal making from Calligonorn Water m a n i p u l a t l o n : Deep w e l l s , l a k e c r e a t i o n C u l t i v a t i o c , g r a z i n g (esp. c a m e l s ) , e r o s i o c Region most menaced by d e s e r t j f i c a t i o n i z T u n i s i a S o i l Corservation Anti-desertification: Windbreaks, plantations, tabias, dme s t a b i l i z a t j o ~

r = Rare t = Threateced T = T u ~ i s i aEcdernjc

N A S = Borth A f r i c a c Sahara Ecdenjc N A = Ilorth A f r i c a Z ~ d e n i c

T = T u c i s j a / A l g e r i a Erdernj c A

S. Area: 845,000 ha

MEDENINE

Major Ecosystems :

S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l Steppe S u b d e s e r t i c C o n t i n e c t a l Steppe Douira t Mouctains Coast: G u l f o f Gabes Oasis Island

Specific S i t e s Importact t o Biological Diversity Hamada: Proposed D e s e r t Park ( S e c t i o c 5.4.7) Djerba I s l a c d : S e c t i o c 3.2.6 Sebkhet e l Kelah: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.9 B a h i r e t e l Bibace: S e c t i o c 3.3.1.7 D j e b e l Mogor G a r a e t Boa C r a r a : C o a s t a l bay G a s i s E l H a l o z f : S e c t i o c 3.7 Flora : Steppe : P!aozis: Artemi si a , R h a r t h e r i u m J s r i ~ e r enradation ( s ~ a r s e ) d

9ai-e and Endemic P l a c t s : rI?A G e r i s t a s a h a r a e r Colchicum r i c h i i ?:AS Limociastrum guyociacam Yedlci c a l P l a c t s : Retama r a e t a n Artemisia sp. Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a Karnnals :

r r

Pegaczm harmala garamactum Spergularia s a l i n a leiosperma

P l a c t a g o sp. Asphodelus s p . Opuctia ficus-icdica

Dorcas g a z e l l e Jackal Red f o x F e e r e c fox D e s e r t hedgehog Browc h a r e

NA NA NA

Gundi Shaw's j i r d Gerbillus campestris (gerbil) Eliomys quercynus Sand r a t

Hedicice (continued)

Birds: - Gulf

o f Cabes waders and w a t e r f o w l ( s e e F i g u r e 4 ) acd: Barbary p a r t r i d g e Cream colored c o z r s e r S t o r e curlew Sandgrouse (5 s p e c i e s ) Calardra l a r k Crested l a r k Thekla l a r k Desert l a r k Hoopoe l a r k G r e a t grey s h r i k e Fulvozs b a b b l e r Raver.

Short-toed e a g l e Osprey Lanner f a l c o n Lesser k e s t r e l Kestrel Criffoc valture Lappet-faced v u l t u r e Bocelli 's eagle Booted e a g l e L o r g - l e g g ~ d buzzard ??arsh h a r r i e r Houba r a b ~ s t a r d I r flsecces :

H u c t i c g acd poachicg ( g a z e l l e s acd h a r e s ) S h o r e l i n e Developmect C u l t i v a t i o ~ ,g r a z i c g , e r o s i o c , d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c S o i l C o c s e r v a t i o n A c t i - d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c work: p ? a r t a t i o c s , acd duce f i x a t i o c (700 h a ) Proposed D e s e r t Park a t Hanada: 10,000 12,000 ha

r = Rare t = Threateced

NAS = North A f r i c a c Sahara Ecdenic N A = 3 o r t h A f r i c a Zcdemi c

T.

TATAOUIME

Area:

3,600,000 ha S u b d e s e r t i c C o n t i n e c t a l Steppe D o u i r a t Mountains Cracd E a s t e r n E r g

Najor Ecosystems:

Specific S i t e s Important t o Biological Diversity: Jeceic

Oued Ouni: Proposed B i o s p h e r e Reserve ( s e c t i o n 5.4)

Flora : Steppe: R h a c t h e r i u n , A r t e m i s i a , A r i s t i d a , Arthrophytum D e s e r t ( ~ r g : c. 1 ,000,000 ha dominated by Calligocum ) C z l t i v a t e d : 5 0 , 0 0 0 ha Halophile Bere a r d Frdemic P l a r t s : E v D i p l ~ t a x i sa c r i s v Farsetia hamiltorii E r D e l p h j n i ~ mp. p u b e s c e ~ s TL vNhS Rardocia a f ri c e c a T r !:orsoria c j v e a rMAS Y ~ d i c l c a lP l a r t s : Retama raetam Artemisia sp. Kanmals: t t

Calligocum a z e l arich I s a t i s aleppica Ococis c a t r i x f i l i f o l i a P s e u d e r ~ c a r i ac l a v a t a

C.

Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a

t
t

D ~ r c e sg a z e l l e Slerder-horred g a z e l l e Aozdad (uccommoc) Hyera ( urcommoc) Jackal Red f o x Sard f o x Feccec f o x Locg-legged buzzard Red k i t e Peregrire Griffor vslture Sarbary p a r t r i d g e T z r t l e dove P5 r.-tsi l e d s a c d g r o u s e Spotted s a c d ~ r o s s e Galerid l a r k s

NA NA

NA NA

Sacd c a t Saharac s t r i p e d weasel Browc h a r e Cundi Shaw's j i r d C e r b i l l i s campestris (gerbil) J a c u l u s o r i e n t a l i s (jerboa) Eliomys quercynus Great grey s h r i k e White w a g t a i l S l a c k wheatear White-crowred b l a c k w h e a t e a r Mourcing wheatear Moussier's r e d s t a r t S p a r i s h sparrow Ravec

Birds:

t
t

Tataoui ne ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

Influecces: Hunticg and poaching: About 800 i c d i v i d u a l s Cultivatioc, overgrazing, erosioc, d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c S o i l Cocservatioc A n t i - D e s e r t i f i c a t i o n work: P l a n t a t i o n s ( a c a c i a , eucelyptus) , t a b i a s , d i r t windbreaks, p a s t u r e j.mprovemect, small p a r c e l i r r i g a t i o n

v Very Rare r = Rare t * Threatened T = T s c j s i a Ecdenic

NS A NA TL E

= North Africac Sahara Ecdernic

= =

North Africa Ecdemic Tacisia/Libya Erdemic = Gracd E a s t e r c Erg Ecdecic

U.

TOZEUR

Area:

610,000 ha Subdesertic C o n t i n t a l Steppe I,!ountain Chott Oasis

& 14

Major Ecosystems:

Specific S i t e s Importact t o Biological Diversity: C h o t t s J e r i d acd E l C h a r s a : S e c t i o n s 3.3.2.13 Oases: Tozeur, Nefza, Tamirza ( s e c t i o n 3.7) Flora : I4aqujs: 12,000 ha degraded j u n i p e r Steppe: Artemisj a H a l o ~ h i l e : 221.000 ha

pare ard Erdenic P l a c t s : r 1.Iocsocia c i v e a r Delphicium o r i e c t a l e J<edj.ciral P l a r t s : Globzlarj a alypun Rosnaricus o f f i c i c a l i s

rXA T A

Gecista saharae Reseda d u r i a e a c a Lavacdula m z l t i f i da

Dorcas g a z e l l e Aoiidad Eyeca (accommor) Jackal Red fox Sirds: Sheldcck Kestrel Hosbara b a s t a r d Barbary p a r t r i d g e Sandgrouse ( 5 s p ) I c flaecces :

Wild boar ( o a s e s ) K a f f i r c a t (uccommoc) D e s e r t hedgehog Brown h a r e C r e s t e d porcupine Palm dove Crested l a r k Hoopoe l a r k Desert l a r k White w a g t a i l Black w h e a t e a r Black-eared w h e a t e a r Mourning w h e a t e a r Rock b u c t i n g S p a n i s h sparrow

Caltjvatjor, overgrazing, erosion, desertification O a s i s c r e a t i o n and e x t e n s i o c Water t a b l e m a c i p u l a t i on: I r r i g a t i o n S o i l C o r s e r v a t i o c work: h'indbreaks, p l a c t a t i o c s , dune stabilizatioc

r = Rare t = Threatered

4 h = North A f r i c a Erdenic T = T a c i s i a / A l g e r i a Ecdenic A

5.
5.1

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY PROTECTION

GOVERNNEIJT INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE

The M i c i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u r e i s t h e governmect ageccy most r e s p o c s i b l e f o r macagjcg acd p r o t e c t i c g b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y acd f o r e s t s . Also p r o v i d i c g i m p o r t a c t s e r v i c e s a r e t h e H i c i s t r y o f H e a l t h , which i c c l u d e s t h e N a t i o n a l O f f i c e o f Rcvirocmectal S a c i t a t j o c . The N a t i o n a l E d u c a t i o c a l Rducatioc M i n i s t r y i n c l u d e s t h e I n s t i t u t e o f S c i e c t i f i c and T e c h c i c a l Research (INRST) and i t s C e c t e r f o r Arid Zoce S t u d i e s ( C E Z A ) , and t h e N a t i o c a l Envirocmectal Board, which a d v i s e s oc ~ c v i r o r m e n t a lp o l i c y , l e g i s l a t i o c and o t h e r r e l a t e d a c t i v i t i e s .
w i t h er.virocmecta1 p r o t e c t i o c acrl e c f o r c e m e c t . igac) :

Ucder t h e M i n i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u r e a r e s e v e r a l D i r e c t o r a t e s charged These i n c l u d e ( ~ r a c t

D i r e c t o r a t e of F o r e s t s ( ~ i r e c t i o cd e s ~ o r e t s ) A c t i v i t i e s : F o r e s t r y l e g i s l a t i o n acd managemert S u b - D i r e c t o r a t e o f Hucting and N a t i o n a l P a r k s (SOLS D l r e c t l o c d e l a Chasse e t P a r c s ~ a t i ~ r a l ) h c t i v i t i e s : E s t a b l i s h n e c t o f c a t i o r a l p a r k s acd r e s e r v e s Species protect5 oc D i r e c t o r a t e o f t h e Environmect ( ~ i r e c t i o rde 1 ' E c v i r o c r e n e r t ) A c t i v i t i e s : I c p d t oc e c v i r o c m e c t a l l e g i s l a t i o r Establishmect of protected a r e a s ard s p e c j e s D i r e c t o r a t e of Water acd S o i l Resources ( ~ i r e c t i o c e s R e s s o z r c e s er. d Ea; e t ec s o l ) A c t i v i t i e s : Research oc e r o s i o r c o r t r o l and hydrology D i r e c t o r a t e of F i s h e r i e s ( ~ i r e c t i o c es ~ e c h e s ) d N a t i o ~ a lS c i e n t i f i c acd T e c h r i c a l I n s t i t u t e o f Ocfacographg acd K F i s h e r i e s ( ~ c s t i t u t a t i o c a l S c i e c t i f i q u e e t Techrique I??STOP) d'0ceacography e t d e Peche A c t i v i t i e s : Research on oceacography, f i s h e r i e s , n a r i c e biology, aquaculture

ORSTOM Mission t o t h e M i n i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u r e (1:issjor. d'OSSTOF: e u p r e s d s M i c i s t e r e de l g A g r i c u l t u r e A c t i v i t i e s : S t u d i e s on e a r t h s c i e c c e s acd phyto-ecology D i r e c t o r a t e o f Research, T r a i n i n g and I n s t r u c t 5 o n o f Cadres ( ~ i r e c t i o c de 1'Er.seigcernect de l a Recherche e t de l a F o n a t i o c d e s Cadres) Includes: K a t i o ~ a lAgrocomic I c s t i t u t e ( ~ c s t i t u tN a t i o c a l Agrocomique de INAT) Tunisie I c s t i t ~ t e f Aerocimic Research ( I n s t i t u t k i t i o c a l de l a Recherche o de T ~ c i s i e I K R A T ) I ~ s t i t u t eo f F o r e s t r y Research ( I c s t i t u t Yatior.al de Iiecherches Forest) e r e s I?!RF) Cer.ter f o r Research acd R ~ r a l h'orks ( C e c t r e de Recherches e t d; Cerie ~ ; r a l )

Arid R e g i o c s I n s t i t u t e ( I c s t i t u t e d e s R e g i o c s A r i d e s

IRA)

Office of Ecvirocmectal AffaPrs A c t i v i t i e s : C o o r d i c a t i o c o f a l l c a t i o c a l acd i c t e r c a t i o c a l ecvirocmectal a f f a i r s The P a s t e u r I c s t u t a t e ( I n s t i t u t P a a t e u r d e ~ u n i s )c o c d u c t s r e s e a r c h i x p a r a s i t o l o g y acd i s coccerned w i t h t h e i m p a c t of b a c t e r i a l w a t e r p o l l u t i o c . The i c s t i t u t e p r o v i d e s e d u c a t i o c a l i n f o r m a t i o r t o t h e g e c e r a l p a b l i c . T h e r e a r e a l s o some quasi-governmeeta1 a g e c c i e s concerned w i t h e c v i r o c m e c t a l r e s e a r c h and p r o t e c t i o n . These i n c l u d e t h e U c i v e r s j t y o f T u c i s ( e s p e c i a l l y t h e F a c d t y o f S c i e n c e s acd t h e S c i e n t i f i c R e s e a r c h ~ e c t e r ) ,t h e F e d e r a t i o c o f R e g i o c a l Hunticg A s s o c i a t i o c s acd t h e A s s a c i a t i o c f o r t h e P r o t e c t i o c of Nature acd t h e Ecvironmect ( ~ s s o c i a t i o c ATPNE). T x i s i e c c e po;r l a P r o t e c t i o c de l a Nature e t d e 1'Ecvirorxernect The ATPIZ h a s t h e f o l l o w i c g f u r c t i o c s :

b) F;Slic

a ) P r o t e c t f l o r a , fa:ca, s o i l s , a i r and n a t u r a l s i t e s cocservatioc e d x a t i o c (especially y o ~ t h ) c ) C o r t r i b s t e t o ecvirocrnectal p r o t e c t i o c l e g i s l a t i o r d ) P r o a o t e c r e a t 5 o c of c a t ~ r er e s e r v e s E) C a l l a b o r a t e w i t h o t h e r c a t u r e p r o t e c t i o c o r g a r i z a t i o c s f ) Use a l l l e g a l meacs t o oppose p r o j e c t s t h a t e r d a c g e r c a t u r e o r

~ a t u r e le q z i l i b r i ~ m .

5.2.

?lo!: GOVEEYYS?!TAL ASSOCIATIOKS

A roc-govercmectal o r c i t h o l o g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o c c a l l e d t h e F r i e c d s o f B i r d s ( ~ s s o c i h t i o cd e s kmis d e s Oiseaux A A O )h a s formed i c T a c i s . F e n S ~ r sp a r t i c i p a t e i c e c v i r o n m e c t a l e d u c a t i o c a c d p r o t e c t i o c , f i e l d e c t l v i t i ~ sacd eccoGrage p r o p e r g o v e m m e c t a l p r o t e c t i o n meascres.

A H a t i o c a l committee f o r t h e Mac acd t h e B i o s p h e r e ( K A B ) program h a s a l s o beer o r g a c i z e d . B i o s p h e r e r e s e r v e s were d e s i g c a t e d i c 1977 a t Bou Hedca, I c h k e d l , Chambi acd Zembra.

S e v e r a l i c t e r c a t i o c e l c o c s e r v a t i o c o r g a r i z a t i o c s acd a s s i s t a c c e a g e c c i e s have c o c d u c t e d r e s e a r c h acd provided c o c s u l t a c t s ncd f u c d i c g f o r c o c s e r v a t i o c p r o j e c t s i c T u c i s i a . These j n c l u d e :

I c t e r c a t i o c a l Waterfowl Research Bureau ( ~ c ~ l a c:d )C o c s a l t i c g , wetlacd p r o j e c t s I c t e r c a t i a c a l C o u c c i l f o r Bird P r o t e c t i o c ( ~ c g l a c d ) (hPdF): I c h k e z l N a t j o c a l Park reictroductj ocs, wetlacd research ( ~ e e i s s ) econusenn

- \!orlawidec nF, 902 dHednaN aNt uP.e ~ c for r . ecor~sse

i s '

I c h k e i l X.P.

i c t t r m t 5 o c z l Ucj o r f o r B e t z r e C o c s e r v a t i o c ( ~ wt j e r l a c d ) z ?;r3?ear. Ecoconic C a n a c c i t y : Fscded I c h k e ~ lw a t e r n a c a g e n e c t s t u d i e s

C e r n a c - T ~ c i s i a c S o c i e t y (CTZ): Rou Hedme N.P. rnacagemect acd a c j m a l r e i c t r o d c c t i o c s ; f e c c i c g of r e s e r v e s ('21 F'eid j a ) ; f o r e s t r y nacaeemect U c i v e r s i t y C o l l r ~ eLordoc: Corps: Sack: I c h k e u l N.P. rnacagsnert p l a c macagemeet p l a c c i c g

- Peace
\!orld

A s s i s t e d w i t h 9 0 s Korcice N.P. 2cvirocrnert-related loam

5.3.

EI:VI3O;!Z3:TAL

LECISLATIOII

D.;rlr.g t h e c o l o c i a l period a ser. of l e g j s l a t i o c was e s t a b l i s h e d f o r t h e p r s t e c t i o c o f t h e ecvironmect. A f t e r i c d e p e c d e c c e t h e s e l a w s were mostly r ~ p l a c e c !o r >ipdated (IUCI: 1987). Alt,hoiigh r.ot always e c f o r c e d , t h e r e erz e f e l r c ~ n b r rof p ~ s t - c o l o r - i a l laws t~ p r o t e c t t h e e c v i r o c n e c t . Le;::sls~i3r. has beer passed p r o t e c t i c e , o r r r e . d a t i c g t h e u s e o f : Fisheries ~tlildlife/nildlar.ds Bor. recewable r e s o 2 r c e s Hezard2us s ~ i b s t ~ a r c e s Sol5 d waste d i s p o s a l
5 ~ 3 5 35 t h 2 n t r t i n p o r t a c t laws r e g a r d i c g c o c s e r v a t i o r . of b i o l o g i c a l r d:versf t y ar? thv h ; c t i r c acd f i s h i c ~ e g ~ l a t i o c socd t h o s e l i s t e d b e l o r ( a l t e r : G r e r . ~ :9G3) ; e s p e c i a l l y t h e f o r e s t r y code.

hcree

:373 ( s i c c e m o d i f i e d ) : r e g u l a t e s c o r . s e r v a t i o c acd ~ t i l i z a t i o r

3f p-bl-c xsters. P r o h i b i t s d i s c h a r g e of p o l l u t a c t s i c t o p s b l i c domajc waters a t ? a c t i v 5 t i ~ sl i a b l e t o p o l l i i t e w a t e r s o . i r c e s .

A : : , r i c i p e l la\: 2f ? x i s p r o h i b i t s d i s c h a r g e of r e f ~ s eo r acy c o x i o z s s-bstbr.:? S r t o c a r - a l s , sewers o r r i v e r s . Discharge i c t o t h e s e a from t o ; ~ : s ~r e s 3 r t s i s proh4bi t e d .

S i g c a t o r y t o t h e Earce1or.a Cor.ver.tj3c cf t h e K e d i t e r r a ~ e a r .Sea A g a i r s t P o l l . i t i w (16 Feb. 1976). Agreed t o c o c t r o l dumpicg of p o l l ~ t a c t sfrom s h i p s acd t c combat o i l s p i l l s ar.d o t h e r harmful s ~ b s t a n c ep o l l s t i o c . S i g r a t 9 r y t o P r o t o c o l f o r t h e P r o t e c t i o r . o f t h e 1.Iediterracear. Sea hgbirst ? ~ l l . i t i o rfrom Lord Rased S o ~ r c e s(1979). Agreed t o c o c t r o l r ~ l e a s e3f l a r d - b a s e d p o l l x i t a r t s a ~ d o z l j n i n a t e r e l e a s e o f c e r t a i c t s p e c j f i ed cheni c a l s .

?LCTL.' f eC; : .,. . . .:,:c; :"O): O r lar-d w i t h a s l o p ? > 2&, c e r t a i r 1er.d ,st-. c?:. ! S F r r z h i b j t e : ! S r f a v 2 r of c 3 r s ? r v a t i 3 r of t h e vegetat5or. c o v e r , krd,'sr :i ! . lar..'zwr.Fr c t r t r r e c ~ j r 2 dt o c 2 r s t r i c t s o i l ar.2 w e t e r c c r s ~ r v : : ~c r str;c t,rcs. :
I -

, A * u

.---

Law No. 58-105, 1958: O c s l o p e s > 2% a g r i c z l t u r a l a c t j v i t i e s riast be c a r r i e d o;t a l o r g t h e c o r t o ~ r s r d erosior. c o r t r o l n e a s i i r e s must be a implemerted

Law 80. 59-48, 1959: I c s ~ f f i c i e r t l yo r i r a d e q u a t e l y c z l t i v a t e d l a r d c a r be s e q u e s t r a t e d ( t h i s c a c work a g a i r s t e r v i r o r m e r - t a l c o c s e r v a t i o c ) . F o r e s t s acd V e g e t a t i o c Law No. 58-83, 1958: lotus. Limits the r a i s i c g of goats.

Law l!o. 59-143, 1959: Promotes d e s t r u c t i o r o f j u j u b e t r e e s ( ~ i z y ~ h o s T h i s law i s d e t r i m e c t a l t o t h e r a t i v e f l o r a .

L e w No. 66-60, 1966: The F o r e s t r y cod^. R e g s l a t e s t h e c o r s e r v a t i o c ar.d e x p l o i t a t i o r o f f o r e s t r e s o u r c e s , i r c l u d i r g r e f o r e s t a t i o r , d x e s t a b i l i z a t i o r , acd e s p a r t o g r a s s l a c d nacagemert. Erables e s t a b l i s h n e r t of r a t i o r e l p a r k s acd p r o t e c t e d a r e a s .

R e g A a t i o r s c f 1966: b i r d s ard h x t i r g . JO2T

K3.

S e v e r a l r e g z l a t 5 o r s corcerr.ir.fr t h e p r o t e c t i o r of C e r e r a l p o l i c i e s of c a t i o r z l p z r k s . Crazlcg, shooticg

4 4 , 198.4:

A r t ) c l e 58-60, 1958: F o r e s t r y L e g i s l a t i v e T e x t s . a r d f i s h i r g c s r be r e s t r i c t e d i r p r o t e c t e d a m a s .

A r t i c l e 58 o f T s c i s i a r Law K O . 66-60 s t a t e s t h a t ' K a t ~ r a lreg5cr.s or s e c t i o r s of r e g i o r s f o r which i t i s i m p o r t a r t f o r s c i e c t l f i c r e g l o r s , a r d c h a r a c t e r i z e d i r a g e r e r a l marcer of s o c j . a l s t i l i t y t o a s s z r e t h e i r m a i r t e r a c c e i r t h e i r r a t u r a l s t a t e c a r be d e s i g r a t e d r s t i o ~ a lp a r k s o r analog r e s e r v e s . ' P a r k s and r e s e r v e s a r e c r e a t e d by p r e s i d e r t i a l d e c r e e . G e c e r a l m a c a g e m e ~ tp o l i c i e s of c a t i o c a l p a r k s were p 2 b l i s h e d i r t h e O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l JORT No. 44 i c 1984. The X i c i s t r y o f A g r i c a l t a r e i s r e s p o r s i b l e f o r a d n i r i s t r a t i o c a r d macagemert o f p r o t e c t e d a r e a s . The D i r e c t o r a t e o f t h e E n v i r o r m e r t i s r e s p o r s i b l e f o r g e c e r a l c o - o r d i r a t i o n acd t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e i s i r charge of a d m i r i s t r a t i o c a r d macagemect ( 1 ~ ~ 1 1 8 7 ) . Ucf o r t i i r e t e l g , both 19 a g e r c i e s a r e l i m i t e d i n s t a f f a r d f i c a r c e s , and c o o p e r a t i o c b e t v e e r t h e two i s poor. K a r i r e r e s e r v e s a r d p a r k s have b e e r ~ r d e rt h e j c r i s d t c t j o c of t h e C o n m i s a r i a t C e r e r a l o f F i s h e r i e s ocd t h e E i r j s t r y of F e f e r s e s i r c e t h e i s l a r a s were o c c d p j ed by t h e m i l i t a r y I r 1979. g Each r a t i o r a l p a r k h a s ~r e d n i r i s t r a t o r a r d s e v e r ~ 1 i a r 2 i s r . s a s s i g r e d t o p r 9 t e c t t h e s i t e . P r o t ~ c t e d r e s e r v e s a r e t h e r e s p n c s l S S l l t y 9f t k e r e g i o r a l f o r e s t e r s , game w a r d e r s ( ~ ; a r d s de ~ h a s s e )arc! s p e c i a l l y asslqrec! g s a r d i er.s.

Figure 1 6 Parks and Reserves of Tunisia

Zembra N.P. Ichkeul N.P. Chambi N.P. Bou Hedma N .P. Bou Kornine N.P. El Feidja Reserve Hamada - Sidi Toui Proposed N.P. Galite Reserve Lake Tunis Protected Wetland Ain Baccouch Reserve Mhibes Reserve Kechem el Kelb Reserve Orbata Reserve Dar Chichou Reserve Jenein - Oued Ouni Proposed Biosphere Reserve

One of t h e g o a l s of t h e c a t i o c a l p a r k pzogram i s t o have a pa-b r e p z e s e c t i c g each o f t h e major e c o s y s t e m s i c T u c i s i a . There a r e c u - ~ e c t l y 5 c a t i o c a l p a ~ k s ,2 pzoposed p a r k s , acd 3 p z o t e c t e d F e s e r v e s ( f i g x e 16). Non-govexnent,al s o w c e s have recomrnecded t h e e s t a b l i s h m e e t of a d d i t i o c a l p r o t e c t e d a r e a s a t 1 9 othe:. l o c a t i o c s (IUCN l 9 8 7 ) , i c c l a d i c g t h e Da- Fatma bog, 2 l a g o o c s , 1 2 s e b k h e t s acd c h o t t s , 3 c o a s t a l a 2 e a s acd K,-iate 5slar.d. The f a c c a and f l o r a o f most o f t h e c a t i o c a l p a z k s and r e s e r v e s a r e d i s c u s s e d i c s e c t i o c 3. A good d i z e c t o r y o f t h e n a t i o c a l p a ~ k s acd r e s e r v e s was produced by t h e I U C N (1987). 5.4.1. Zembra N a t i o c a l Park a c d B i o s p h e r e R e s e r v e 4030 ha

The i s l a c d s of Zenbra and Zembl-etta we-e d e s i g c a t e d T u c i s i a v s f i r s t c a t i o c a l p a r k i c 1977 by d e c r e e NO. 77-340. The ecosystem i s d e s c r i b e d i c S e c t i o r 3.: .2.
A h o t e l acd Sucgalows were c o c s t z c c t e d o r Zemb-a acd iip t o 200 p e o p l e were p:esect d a i l y i c t h e s u m e x befo-e 1979. The i s l a r d s became a m i l i t a r y base i c :979 acd a l l t o ~ r i s macd c a t i o c a l p a r k nacagemect was h a l t e d (IUCC : 9 6 7 ) . Fron t h e :360s t o 1976 t h e ~ ewas a na-i time reseal-ch c e n t e - O E Zenb-a, b u t i t h a s beer. o c c u p i e d by t h e Marice N z t i o c a l e s i n c e :979. Some l i m i t e d ~ e s e a x hh a s beec c o c d u c t e d i n r e c e c t y e a x i acd t h e r e a r e p x p 3 s a l s t 3 - e - e s t a b l i s h guided t o s - s acd l i m i t e d s t a g s ox t h e islar2.

1-!ilita-y c o c t r o l r e d ~ c e st h e d e t r i n e c t a l e f f e c t s oe t h e ecosystem caused by t o i r i s t s acd f i s h e r n e e , b u t t h e m i l i t a r y p e r s o e c e l themselves may be d i s r c p t i c g t h e e c v i r o c m e c t . Prima-y n e e d s o f Zembra r a t i o n a l park a x c c r r e ~ t l yt h e r e - d e l e g a t i o c o f macagemeet t o t h e F o r e s t 7 D i r e c t o r a t e acd t h e a s s i g c m e c t of a d e q u a t e park p e r s o c c e l . 5.4.2. I c h k e u l N a t i o n a l Park acd B2osphere R e s e r v e 10,775 ha

Ltike I c h k e i i l ( ~ e c t i o c 3.3.1 . I ) acd D j e b e l I c h k e u l ( ~ e c t l o r 3.4.: .6) were e s t a b l i s h e d a s a c a t i o c a l p a ~ kby Lav l!o. 80-1608 i c Decernbe: 19e0. Ichkeiil :!.P. i s t h e o c l y s i t e i c t h e world t o have t h e t r i p l e d i s t i c c t j o c of b e i c g d e c l a r e d a b i o s p h e r e r e s e r v e ( 1 9 7 7 ) , i c c l u d e d o e t h e l i s t of Wetlacds of I c t e r x a t j o c a l I m p o r t a c c e ( ~ a m s a zC o c v e c t i o c ) and a s a World H e r i t a g e s i t e (: 980).
A c ecomuse.im ( i c f o r n a t i o n c e c t e r ) h a s b e e c c o c s t m c t e d oc D j . I c h k e u l w i t h a s s i s t a c c e from t h e B r i t i s h l4usezm acd t h e W F . The miisem is i r t e c d e d t o e d ~ c a t et h e p.iblic a b o u t t h i s v e r y impo-tact ecosystem acd t o p r m o t e s e c s i b l e t o z i s t i c iise acd a w a r e c e s s ox t h e pa-t of l o c a l yesidects.
T h e l a k e i s t h e s i c g l e m s t imp3-tact k f - i c a , y e t i t i s c u - r e c t l y t h r e a t e r e d by t n a t p x v i d e I c h k e i l ~ i t hr e s h w a t ~ ? . A f wo-ld r e s - l t i r i r c - e a s e d s a l t w a t e - i r p ~

w e t l a c d f o r bi-ds i r Ir'3rth 6 dam p - o j e c t s on t h e r f v e ~ s - e d o c t i o c i r f ~ e s h w a t e -:r.pi;t tt h ~ o 3 g hO u e d T i r j a . Chacges i c

5.4.6.

Proposed N a t i o n a l P a r k a t E l F e k d j a

2517 ha

There i s c u r r e c t l y a 417 ha f e c c e d t o p r o t e c t t h e b a r b a r y d e e r of E l Feidja ( ~ e c t i o c 3.4.1.1 ). The f e c c e was e r e c t e d i c 1966 w i t h t h e h e l p of t h e CTZ. S i c c e t h e e , t h e r e h a s b e e r a l m o s t c o hsmac d i s t z r b a r c e i c t h e r e s e r v e acd t h e d e e r p o p u l a t i o c h a s i n c r e a s e d s i g c i f i c a c t l y . To accornodate t h e i c c r e a s i r g d e e r p o p u l a t i o c and p r o t e c t t h e r e s t of t h e d i v e r s e f a m a acd f l o r a , a 2517 h a a r e a i s b e i c g c o c s i d e r e d f o r a c a t i o r a l park. The a r e a i s p o p u l a t e d by a b o u t 1 6 0 f a m i l i e s (IUCN 1 9 8 7 ) , b a t t h e wooded p o r t j o c s a r e u c i r h a b i t e d . Currect f a c i l i t i e s a t El F e i d j a i r c l u d e a f o r e s t r y post with a small museum acd a n e c c l o s u r e f o r h o l d i c g i c j u r e d d e e r a r d p u b l i c d i s p l a y . I f a c a t i o c a l park i s c r e ~ t e dt h e r e w i l l be c e e d f o r a g e n e r a l nacagemect p l a c , a park h e a d q a a r t e r s , s t a f f , v e h i c l e s , r e m o d e l i c g o f t h e m i x e x , acd eqaipaect

5.4.7.

Proposed N a t i o c a l P a r k a t Hamada a r d D j e b e l S i d i Toui

: 2 , 0 0 3 ha

A l t h o ~ g h5 3 2 Fedna N.P. i s i c e c a r i d r e g i o c , a t r u e d e s e r t e c o s y s t e m i s missicg f r o n T u c i s i a ' s c a t i o r a l park cetwork. Theyefore a r a t i o n a l park b i o s p h e r e r e s e r v e h a s b e e r proposed f o r t h e a r e a a r a u c d D j e b e l S i d i

T o d i ( s e e S e c t i o c 3.5.4).

The s o a t h f o o t o f t h e d j e b e l h a s b e e c p r o t e c t e d

from g r a z i c g f o r a b o ~ t y e a r s , w i t h d r a m a t i c v e g e t z t i o c r e s p o c s e , acd 20 some of t h e l a s t r e n a i c i c g d c s p o i l t s t e p p e i s i c t h e p r o j e c t a r e a ( I U C I ~ 1987). The GTZ, ATPIJE a c d KAB committee a r e i c v o l v e d i c t h e r e s e a r c h acd preparatory p l a c c i c g f o r t h e park. There i s c u r r e c t l y a r experimertal s t a t i o c of t h e 5 e d e c i c e I R A i r t h e a r e a , where c a m e l / v e g e t a t i o c i c t e r a c t i o c s e r e b e i c g s t ~ d i e d . I R A f b c i l i t i e s a r e l i k e l : ~t o be dsed 1c t h e f u t u r e park. The c a t i o c a l c o c t r i b u t i o c t o t h e r e s e r v e h a s S e e e 9 1 , 6 0 9 m ~ d c i s i a cD i c a r s . The b d d g e t i s dsed f o r p e r s o c c e l , w e l l s , r a c g e improvemeet o ~ t s i d et h e r e s e r v e acd p r o t e c t i o c o f t h e r e s e r v r , b u t a c a d d i t i o n a l 6 6 , 0 0 0 US d o l l a r s i s s t i l l r e e d e d f o r e q z i p m e c t , t r a i c j c g e r d e c o c s ~ l t a r t(!'.ic. Agr. :9 8 5 ) .

5.4.8.

G a l i t o n Reserve

6 5 0 ha

The i s l a n d s o f G a l i t o c ( 2 7 h a ) acd La F o u c h e l l e ( 1 4 h a ) acd a 0.5 s e a m i l e r a d i ~ si c t h e G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o were d e s i g c a t e d a s a s t r i c t c a t u r e r e s e r v e i c :980. T h e r e i s j e t e r n a t i o n a l l y j m p o r t a c t f a u c a , i c c l u d i c g monk s e a l s acd c e s t i c g E l e o c o r a ' s f a l c o c s a r d ~ u d o u i n ' s g u l l s , o r t h e a r c h i p e l a g o acd d i v e r s e m a r i c e f a x a , i c c l u d i c g r e d c a r a l , t h s t i s b e i c e t h r e e t e c e d by t h e l o c a l p o p - l a t i o c , v i s i t i c g f i shermec acd r e c r e a t i o c a l d i v e r s ( s e e S e c t i o c 3.1 . I )

B e t t e r p j b l j c a v a r e c e s s of t h e r e s e r v e i s c e e d e d , which vo-ld i r c l s d e i c s t a l 1 i r . e r e g ~ l e t i o cc o t i c e s or, t h e i s l a c d o f G a l S t f ar.d i c f o m i r . ~a i v i c g o u t f i t t e r s . Ac ecforcemer.t s t a f f s h o u l d a l s 3 be t r a i c e d a c ? e q s l p p e d . E q a i p n e c t wo-ld i c c l ~ d e' z o d i a c ' t y p e b o a t s acd mc1t31-s~ b i c r c ; ; l a r s , r a d i o s a ~ d , d e a l l y , d i v i c e e q u i p m e e t , s o d i v i c e a c t i v S t 5 e s cc-ld be i m o r i t o r e d acd c o r a l h a r v e s t i c g acd s p e a r f i s h i c g c o u l d b ~ p r ~ v e c t e d i c t h e reserve.

5.4.9.

Lake ~ u n f s r b t e c t e d V e t l a n d P

4500 h a

Lake T u c i s was d e s i g n a t e d a P r o t e c t e d Wetland i c 1980. T h i s s t a t a s does c o t r e c e s s i t a t e h a b i t a t improvemect a c t i o n s , a l t h o u g h t h e y a r e allowed; however, a c t i o n s t h a t d e g r a d e t h e e n v i r o c m e c t should be s t o p p e d . Lake Tunis i s e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t because endangered b i r d s ( i n c l u d i c g marbled t e a l , white-headed duck and p e r e g r i n e ) and S m p o r t a r t cumbers o f o t h e r waterfowl and waders u s e t h e l a k e f o r f e e d j c e and n e s t i n g . The c l o s e proximity t o T u n i s enhances t h e c o c s e r v a t i o r e d u c a t i o n v a l u e o f t h e lake. U c f o r t u c a t e l y , t h e c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o T u n j s a l s o make t h e s p a c e v a l u a b l e f o r development, and i c s p i t e o f t h e P r o t e c t e d Wetland s t a t u s , o v e r 900 ha have been f i l l e d t o p r o v i d e a l o c a t i o c f o r t h e c o n s t r d c t i o c o f a new s e c t i o c of c j t y . The p r o j e c t w i l l e v e c t u a l l y f j l l o v e r o n e - t h i r d o f t h i s i m p o r t a c t w e t l a c d and t h e h a b i t a t q u a l i t y o f t h e r e s t o f t h e l a k e may be degraded. The developmect p r o j e c t h a s advacced t o o f a r t o be stnpped cow, s o m i t i g a t i o c should be s o ~ ~ tho t i m p r w e t h e r e s t 3f t h e l a k e . I m p r o v e n e c t s coeld i c v o l v e i c c r e a s i n g w a t e r c i r c 2 l a t j o c i c t h e l a k e o r e x c l u d i c ~hdmac a c t i v i t y aroucd t h e i s l a c d o f Chikly. 5.4.10. Aim Baccouch and Mhibes R e s e r v e s

Alocg t h e K r o m S r i e m o u c t a j c r a c g e , a 9 0 ha a-ea a t A i r Baccozch ( s e c t i o c 3.4.1.4) acd a 370 ha a r e a a t Mhibes ( s e c t i o c 3.4.1.5) have beec fecced t o p r o t e c t t h e e c d a c g e r e d b a r b a r y d e e r . Aic Baccozch c o c t a i n s 5 0 100 d e e r , which i s a l a r g e herd f o r t h e s i z e o f t h e r e s e r v e , s o t h e r e a r e p l a c s t o e c l a r g e t h e r e s e r v e t o 370 h a . Both r e s e r v e s a r e domicated by cork oak f o r e s t acd Aie Baccouch c o r t a i c s some m a r i t i m e p i c e . Cocticued m a i ~ t e c a c c eo f t h e f e n c e s acd s u r v e i l l a c c e o f t h e r e s e r v e s a r e c a r r e c t macagemect c o c c e r c s . 5.4.1 1. Kechem e l Kelb R e s e r v e 3 0 3 ha

I c 1970 a r e s e r v e was f e c c e d on t h e mouctaic a d j a c e c t t o D j e b e l Chambi t o p r o t e c t t h e r e s i d e n t C u v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s . Endangered hyecas a l s o l i v e i c t h e r e s e r v e . The f e c c e was e r e c t e d t o keep t h e humacs and l i v e s t o c k o u t , bat i t does n o t keep t h e g a z e l l e s i n , and some c r o p damage h a s beec r e p o r t e d by l o c a l f a r m e r s . C u r r e n t management p r i o r i t i e s i c c l u d e : maictecacce o f t h e f e c c e , s u r v e i l l a c c e of t h e r e s e r v e and e n s u r i c g t h a t a d e q ~ a t efood and w a t e r a r e a v a i l a b l e t o t h e a n i m a l s . A l a r g e w a t e r catchmect h a s been c o n s t r u c t e d t o s u p p l y d r i c k i c g w a t e r acd p a l a t a b l e c a c t d s h a s b e e r p l a n t e d o u t s i d e t h e r e s e r v e t o draw t h e g a z e l l e s away f r ~ m fa.m crops.

5.4.12.

O r b a t a Reserve

260 ha

A 260 ha a r e a a t t h e b a s e o f D j e b e l O r b a t a was fecced i c 1969 t o p r o t e c t d o r c a s g a z e l l e s acd t h e j r h a b i t a t . S i n c e t h e e , o s t r S c h acd Europeac daim were i c t r o d u c e d t o t h e r e s e r v e acd have been i c c r e a s i c g i c numbers. The g a z e l l e s , o s t r i c h and daim a r e t o o numerous t o be s u p p o r t e d by t h e c a t ~ r a v e g e t a t i o c , s o s m a l l i r r i g a t e d g a r d e c p l o t s a r e c a l t S v a t e d l t o prodace a l f a l f a acd o t h e r f o r a c e . A cumber o f a c i m a l s ( m o s t l y r o c - c a t i v e ) a r e k e p t i c a s m a l l zoo a t a corn-er of t h e r e s e r v e t o p r o v i d e p ~ b l i ce d u c a t i o c acd a r e c r e a t i o c a r e a . The a d j a c e c t m o a c t a i c i s a l s o p r o t e c t e d from h u c t i c g acd g r a z i c g , b u t i l i t t l e a c t i v e m a c a ~ e m e ~ ts d o r e .

5.4.13.

Dar Chichou Managed R e s e r v e

100 ha

I c 1964 a r e s f - v e was c r e a t e d e t Dar Chichoc o r t h e Cap Boc p e c i c s u l a . The 3 remaicicg female I c h k e u l b ~ f f a l o( s e e S e c t j o c 2.4) were b r o z g h t t o t h e r e s e r v e acd a c I t a l i a c n a l e b u f f a l o was i n p o r t e d t o s t a r t a b r e e d i c g progran. The program was s u c c e s s f A acd a s m a l l herd was r e t a l c e d a t Dar Chichod whec t h e r e s t o f t h e b;ffalr, were r e i c t r o d ~ c e dt o I c h k e z l X.P. E c o p e a c d a i m a r f a l s o k e p t jr t h e r e s e r v e .

5.4.:4.

Proposed B i o s p h e r e R e s e r v e a t J e c e i c

- Oued

Ouci

3 6 0 , 0 0 0 ha

A l a r g e a r e a o f S ~ b d e s e r t i cC o c t i c e c t a l S t e p p e ( ~ e c t i o c 3.5.4) s o u t h of Remada h a s beer. recommecded t o be e s t a b l i s h e d a s a Biosphere Reserve. The a r e a c o c t a i c s a v a r i e t y of d e s e r t f l o r e acd f a z n a t h r e a t e c e d by c a l t i v a t i o c , o v e r g r a z i c g acd d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c . Sjosphere Reserves a r e c o t s t r i c t reserves t h r o u g h o ~ t , s o a v a r i e t y of p r o j e c t s desigced t o ercourage s e r s i b l e l a c d u s e acd combat d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c should be implemected. C u r r e c t l y t h e p r o j e c t i s rc?t a h i g h p r i o r i t y of t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e .

6.

SU!<!$ARY OF PRIORITY COMSEEVATIOK NEEDS

Althoigh t h e Govercmect of T c c j s i a acd c o c s e r v a t i o c o r g a c i z a t i o c s ( c a t i o c a l acd i c t e r c a t i o c a l ) have beec workicg towards p r o t e c t i o c acd echaccemect o f b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y f o r many y e a r s , t h e r e a r e s t i l l a g r e a t r ~ m b e ro f e c v j r o c m e c t a l problems i c ceed o f a c t i o n . The f o l l o w i c g o , t l i ~ eof recommecded a c t i o c s i s p r i o r i t i z e d i c r e l a t i o c t o t h e p r e s e r v a t i o r o f b i o l o g j c a l d i v e r s i t y acd t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s . ( u ) d e c o t e s u r g e r t problems t h a t w i l l s o o c r e s c l t i c a c a t i o n a l l y s i g r i f i c a c t l o s s o f b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y i f a c t i o n i s c o t t a k e c ; (VU) d e c o t e s v e r y s r g e c t problems t h a t sho;ld be g i v e c t o p p r i o r i t y ; (N) d e c o t e s ceeded a c t i o c s t o m a j c t a i c t h e c z r r e r t b i logical d i v e r s i t y ; a c d ( D ) i c d j c a t e s d e s i r a b l e a c t l o r s t o er-hacce t h e r - a t i o r a l b i o l o e j c a l d i v e r s i t y .
"his l i s t i s by co meacs complet,e. There a r e cumerozs o t h e r p r o j e c t s szggested 1r. t h e t e x t . ~ f t h i s d 3 c ~ m e c t .a r d recomnecded by o t h e r s o c r c e s . a o The o b j e c t h e r e i s t o ~ i v e c o ~ t l i ~ f e p r o j e c t s t h a t c o z l d acd s k ~ ; l d be s t a r t e d j nnedS a t e l g , o r 6 w ~ z l dhave t a c g j b l e r e s c l t s f o r j n p 3 r t a c t f a c c a , f l ~ r e acd e c 3 s g s t e r ? s . : l a t i o c a l c o c s e r v a t j . o c acd e c v i r o c m e c t a l ed.icat.ioc p r i o r i t i e s may d i f f e r .

A c t i s r shozld be t a k e r o r t h e f o l l o w i c g s z b j e c t s : Flora
1 . Icver-tory of K a t i o c a l F l o r a ( N ) : IJeeded t 3 complete b a s e l i c e d a t a acd geret:c r e s o - r c e i r f o r ~ a t i o cb a s e , f o r Lse i c c o c s e r v a t i o c p l a c c i n g and r e s e a r c h . I t w ; l d be d e s i r a b l e t o i c c l u d e a s p e c i e s iise a s s e s s m e e t acd s t a t ~ s e p o r t i c t h e i c v e c t g r y . I f a complete i c v e c t o r y i s c o t p o s s i b l e , r a f l = r a chec:i:lSst sb3;ld be nade.
2.

E s t a b l i s h m e c t o f N a t i o n a l Herbarium ( D ) : Can be done d c r i c g i c v e c t o r y . E c a b l e s g e c e t i c reso.;rce protectioc

3. C r e a t i o c o f B o t a c i c Gardens ( D ) :
ard r e s e a r c h .

1.

Improvemect o f Law Ecforcement C a p a b i l i t i e s ( u ) : More and b e t t e r equipped gane w a r d e r s cards de ~ h a s s e ' a r e needed. Eqcipmect needed ir.cli;des : Vehicles O b s e r v a t i o c eq-ijpmect C o n n ~ cc a t i o c s eq.iipmect j

2.

C o c t r o l o f I l l e g a l Trade ( N ) : I c c l ~ d e ss t r i c g e c t e c f o r c e n e c t of CITES e.-;, j e,- ar.d c 3 r . t r o l of l o c a l ' s o ~ k ' ( m a r k e t ) commerce i c w i l d l j f e , l : .es ~rodzcts.

N a t i o c a l P a r k s acd R e s e r v e s

1.

I n c r e a s e d F u c d i c g (N): P r o t e c t e d a r e a s s h o ~ l dr e c e i v e h i g h e r p r i o r i t y 5 c b s d g e t p l a c r - j re. F i r - a c c i e l c e e d s i c c l z d e : O p e r a t i c e b _ d g e t s f o r e a c h park Salaries for or-site s t a f f Zqsipmect f z c d s : v e h i c l e s , e d m i c i s t r a t i o r acd macagemert equipment

2.

Improved P u b l i c A c c e s s ( D ) : To promote e r v i r o r m e c t a l a w a r e r e s s e a c h park sho;;ld have: E d ~ c a t i o cp r o g r a n s Toarisn promotioc Improved a c c e s s r o a d s acd f a c i l i t i e s

Ecosysten P r o t e c t ? o r

C o a s t a l Zoces: A. P0l?iti3r. C O ~ : T ~ ? : Upgradt p 3 l l ~ t i o rc o c t r 3 1 l e g i s l a t i 3 r Strecgther. erforcernert - Frovf d e t ~ c h ~ c l o ga gd n e a c s t 3 co;sy,ly w i t h l e e i s l a t i a r . t o major r p o l l - t i o r - s o u r c e s ( c h e n . i c d i s t r i e s , p u b l i c sewage K t r a s h s y s t e m s '

B.
C.

C o r a l C3aot (XI: S t - 2 g e x t = ~ t r d i n p e c t s of c 3 r a l h z r v e s t j c g a
G A Y o f Gtibes ( i i ) : P r o t e c t i o r of K c e j s s i c t e r t i d a l zoce ( ? r e f e r a b l v a s a R a n s a r s i t e )

2.

Galite Islacd: ( u ) !:ock s e z l s t ~ t . . rie~ o r t a d c r o t e c t i o c m e a s u r e s p (!!) I c c r e e s e d g r o t e c t i o r of m a r i r e f a 3 x e

Wetlacds: A. Lake I c h k e ~ l(vu): The f o l l o ~ i c g m e l i o r a t i o r p r o j e c t s have b e e c a proposed, b ~ fxicds f s r i n p l e m e r t a t i o c a r e l a c k i c e . t F i l l t h e c a r ~ i r t h e D j o s n i c e marsh l C o c s t r . i c t e w a t e r c o c t r o l s l . ~ i c ea r d o v e r f l o w w e i r a t O ~ e dT i n j a R e l e a s e w a t e r from r e s e r v o i r s whec l a k ~ e v e l i s below 1 0 cm ASL l Decide o r f i r a l c o c s e r v a t j o r s t r a t e g y (may i c v o l v e d e c r e a s i n g l a k e a r e a by 20-35s)

B.
C.

Sebkhet K e l b l a ( u ) : I c i t i a t e a pr9gran f o r water r e l e a s e Dar Fats,a Bog (I:): D e s i g c a t i o c a s a P r o t e c t e d Reserve Ferce m a j c t e c e r c e Cor.>lete f l s r a acd fa.;ci s t ; ? ?
C-ed Essec ( 3 ) : D e s l j c a t i o r . a s a P r ~ ~ e c t e:serve d

fro^ u p s t r e a m r e s e r v o i r s

3.

f o r corservat5or. e d ~ c e t j o r

4.

Mouataies: A. Boi K o r c i r e G.P.: S e e a l s o Recomnecdations f o r P a r t 11. (c) I c s t a l l f o r e s t p r o t e c t i o c f e c c e by Hammam L i f (1:) I c c r e a s e rnacagemert c a p a c i t y t h r o c g h p r o v i s i o c o f equipmect acd v e h i c l e s ( t o t a l proposed park budget i s approx. 175,000 D i c a r s ) ( D ) I c i t i a t e e c v i r o m e c t a l e d ~ c a t j o cprogram, i n c l a d i c e a c ecomssecm ( a p p r o x j n a t e c o s t 6 0 , 0 0 0 T u n i s i a c D j n a r s ) ecd t r a i l s - (D) I c c r e a s e f a m a d i v e r s i t y t h r o ~ g hr e i c t r o d u c t i o c s f a z c a f o r m e r l y f o . x d i c t h e park ( a o u d a d , C w i e r ' s g a z e l l e s )

B.

- Upgradicg -

E l F e i d j a (D): o f s t a t ~ s r d maaagemect t o t h a t of N a t i o n a l Park a

C.
D.

3jebfl I c h k ~ ~ l (D): Removal o f t h e q z 6 r r l e s D t e b f l Zaghc,ar. ( 2 ) : Iccrease z ~ d :pyrs?e p r o t e c t i o r .

5.

Steppes: X. Art:-desert:fS c a t i o r . (vE): 1mplecer.t t h ~ a t l o c ~ lA c t i K d f s e r t 5 f5 c a t i g r Ctretec;y ( U c . h g r . 1985); e s p e c i a l l y : - I r c r e a s e d;re s t b b i l i z a t i a c , e r o s i 3 c c o r t r o l acd r e f o r e s t a t i 3 c - ImFrovf r a c c e n a r a g e m e r t acd a g r i c ~ ? t , r a l p r a c t i c ~ s
3.

39; :'=dm2 ;!.?.(::): I c c r e a s e A.czcSa r a d d i a r a s a v a c c a p r o t c c t i o c acd p r o p a g a t i o c

C.

P r c ! p s e f l n e e e r t !:atiocal Park ( D ) : Dfslgr.ctior- c f a r e a a s a c a t i o c a l p a r k Eq-iip f o r p r o p e r n z ~ a g e m e c t ( e s t i n a t e d i c i t i a l c o s t : U 66,000) S

PART I1 TROPICAL FORSSTS

Before t h e o l i g o c e c e e r a t h e c l i m a t e o f T u c i s i a was t r o p i c a l ( ~ 1 Hamrouci 1978). F o s s i l f l o r a a t I c h k e d c o c s i s t s of 265 t r o p i c a l e l e m e c t s , such a s : Saljx cacariersis Cassia sp. Sapicdus sp. P i t t o s p o - u n sp.

Diiricg t h e epoch of t h e C a p s i e c c e c i v i l i z a t i 3 c , :5 , 3 0 0 g e a r s a g 3 , ! h c j s i a s t i l l had 1 ~ x ; r j a i s a b x d a r t v e g e t a t i 3 c t h a t s ~ p p o r t . e dmar? s p e c l e s of a c i m e l s t h a t a r e c o l a r g e - f o x d i r . A f r i c a r o - t h of t h e Sahara f c c l u d i c g e l e p h a c t s , r h i n o c g - a e s , l i o r s a r d b e a x ( 3 i r . F o r . :3 7 6 ) . Chacgirg c l i m a t e s , i r c l u d i r g t h e p e r i ods of t h e g ~ e s t l a c j a t i o r s , g brought n a r y F ' e d i t e r r a c e a c , S a h a r a r acd Fliropear e l e n e r t s acd ever. some b o r e a l e l e m e r t s t o t h e f o r e s t f l o r a . The l a s t g r e a t c l i m a t e charge was 7000 y e a r s ago. S i c c e t h a t t i m e , n o s t of t h e c h a r g e s Sc f o r e s t e r e a a r d s p e c i e s c o m p 3 s i t i 3 r have b e e r c e ~ s e dby mar. The p r e s e c t c l i m a t e a r d domicect f o r e s t s p e c i e s a x K e d i t e r r a c e a c , b a t t h e y e a r e s t i l l some t - e e acd s h r i b s p e c i e s w i t h t r o p i c a l a f f i c i t i e s . Two p r i m s l y r e m c a r t s of t h e t x p i c a l f o r e s t s a r e t h u y a C a l l i t - i s a ~ t i c i i l a t a a r d Chamae-ops h u n l l i s ; o t h e r s i r c l a d e ( ~ e ~ e - i m h o f f r Z i z y p h ~ s( t h e gecGs i c g e c e ~ a l ) Acacia ~ a d d i a r a( ~ a h a - o - t r o p ic e l ) Periplnca laevigata " E ~ i c a c e a e s( ~ r i c a a-borea g r w s i r sub-Saharec Af ri c e ) Rhus s p . Myrtus conmuci s Jasnicum f r ~ t i c a c s L y c i ~ nSF Ficxs carica (ictrodaced)

Of t h e above s p e c i e s , o c l y th;ya acd Acacia r a d d i a r a a r e t x e r a t i v e t r e e s p e c i e s , a r d n e i t h e ~form what ~ o i l d be c o c s i d e r e d t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s However, a c c o r d i c g t o t h e d e f i c i t i o r used f o r F A A by mary d e f i c i t i o r s . amerdments 118 acd :19 ( s t a t e Cable 7183241, 1 9 6 7 ) t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s i n c l u d e " a l l t r e e acd woody s h ~ u b o r m a t i o n s , whethe? opec o r c l o s e d , f Roughly o c c u r r i r g i c humid, subhumid O Y s e m i - a r i d u ~ l a c d so r l o w l a r d s " . the r o ~ t h e x 25: of T ~ c i s i ai s i r t h e ab3ve b i o c l i m a t e s , s o t h e - e a r e a b o u t 4 r n i l l i o c ha t h a t c o a l d s c p p o r t ' I t - o p i c a l f o - e s t s " by t h e above d e f i r i t i o c . Kzch of t h a t l a r d i s c u l t i v a t e d , d e v e l o p e d o r occupied by s t e p p e v e g e t a t i o c , b u t t h e r e aY? c.680,000 ha w i t h woody v e g e t a t i o c ( D i r . For. 1976). S p e c i e s i c t h o s e a r e a s j c c l ~ d et h a s e p r e v i o ~ s l ymectioced n i t h t t r p i c a l a f f : r i t l e s (except r a d d l a ~ a ,whlch occd-s 5r a r i d a r e a s ) acd a l l 3f t h e n a j o r f o r e s t spec! e s -"edi t e r - a r e z r elerr.er.ts).

PART I1

2.

FOREST TYPES

Ic t h e azea coccerced t h e y e aye 368,000 ha o f t r u e c a t ~ r a lf o - e s t (domicated by t r e e s p e c i e s ) , b u t l e s s t h a c 270,000 ha a r e ic good c o n d i t i o c . The remainder o f t h e 680,000 ha i e Occupied by a r t i f i c i a l Major f o r e s t f o r e s t ( p l a n t a t i o c s ) acd "maquis" (woody s h r u b f o r m a t i o c s ) types include :

A.

Callitris articulata

(thuya)

c.30,000 ha

T h ~ y ai s a S M e d i t e r r a c e a c s p e c i e s a l m o s t endemic t o North A f r i c a . W Apart from t h e Magh-eb ( ~ i c i s i a ,A l g e r i a , ~ o r o c c o )t h e r e a-e o c l y r a r e s t a c d s i c SE S p a i c acd K a l t a . Optimum growth o c c u r s i c Semi-arid b i o c l i m a t e s w i t h a maritime i c f l u e c c e acd 400 500 mm a r n u a l ~ a j s f a l l . Ic T u c i s i a , thuya i s d i s t r i b a t e d c o r t h o f a l j n e from Ecfida t o t h e e a s t of Yedjez e l Bab. T h i s i r c l u d e s t h e soilth p a r t o f Cap Roc acd t h e n o r t h e a s t p a r t of t h e T u c i s i a c D o r s a l mouctain r a n e e , iip t o T e b o ~ ~ b a acd Sbikha. Cap Boc i s t h e e a s t e r c l i m i t o f t h e r a c g e of t h i y a ir North s A f r i c a . A t h e wooded a r e a s o f Malta a r e p ~ o g r e s s i v e l ye l i m i c a t e d , t h e 30,000 ha of th"ya i c T ~ c i s i at h a t a-e i s o l a t e d f-om o t h e - s t a c d s i c Alge-ia become i c c r e a s i c g l y impo-tact t o t h e r a c g e o f t h i s remcact t r o p i c a l s p e c i e s . O f t e c g-owicg i n a s s o c i a t i o c w i t h thaya a r e othes p e c i e s with t r o p i c a l a f f i c i t j e s , such a s :

Chanae-ops h u m i l i s (dwarf palm) M y r t ~ scommucis

B.

Qce-cus s u b e r

(co-k oak)

c.80,000 ha

T h i s Vest K e d i t e r r a c e a r s p e c i e s i s foucd i c P o r t u g a l , I t a l y acd t h e Eagh-eb. Co-k oak grows b e s t i c a r e a s w i t h l i g h t , h e a t acd acc;al r a i n f a l l g ~ e a t e rt h a c 800 mm. Ic T u c i s i a i t i s most c o m o c o r warn s l o p e s i c t h e Kh-o~mirie/lrlogod m o ~ c t a j cc h a i r s of t h e northwest. ~ e g i o r . , but t h e ~ e a r e a l s o s m a l l stacds at D j e b e l S e r d j , D j . Tebou-souk and C a p B3z. Fzom ar. o y i g i n a l racge of 130,000 ha t h e r e a r e now l e s s thar. 55,000 ha o f pyime cork oak f o r e s t a 6 6 reductioc ( D ~ F . For. :976). Ic t h e past t r e e s were h a r v e s t e d f o r r a i l - o a d t i e s , mice t i m b e z e arid cha-coal. Oaks a r e s t i l l c u t f o r t i m b e r , b u t h a r v e s t j c g i s much b e t t e r c o r t r o l l e d . Cork i s hazvested f-om mat;-e t r e e s every 10-12 y e a r s and t a c n i c e bark i s o b t a i c e d from o l d e r t r e e s . Acorns a-e c o l l e c t e d fo- d o m e s t i c cocsumptioc acd l i v e s t o c k f e e d . Associated s p e c i e s w i t h t r o p i c a l a f f i n i t i e s i c c l i l d e :

Chamaerops h u m i l j s Kyrtus communis E-ica ( 3 s p e c i e s )

C.

Q u e r c ~ s acariecsis c

(Zen oak)

c.10,000 ha pure

Z E oak i s c a t i v e t o P o r t u g a l , S p a i n and t h e Maghreb. The b e s t ~ growicg c o c d i t i o c s q r e a t a l t i t u d e s h i g h e r t h a c 700m oe deep s o i l s . Cool, m o i s t r a v i n e s w i t h c o r t h e r c e x p o s u r e s may c o n t a i c z e c oak dour. t o s e a l e v e l . Ic T u c i s i a i t grows i n t h e most humid e o c e s o f t h e Khroumirie mouctaics, e s p e c t a l l y n e a r t h e A l g e r i a n b o r d e r . There a r e c.30,000.ha mixed w i t h c o r k oak i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e p u r e s t a n d s . Zec oak produces b e t t e r t i m b e r t h a c cork oak and t h e r e f o r e h a s been h e a v i l y e x p l o i t e d i n t h e p a s t . R y r t u s conmucis i s commonly found i n t h e u c d e ~ s t o r y .
D.
Ouercus a f a r e s Groves

This r a r e species i s i c A l g e r i a (:2,000 b i o c l i n a t e s above 900 Y e i d j a , E l Chorra acd Q ~ E T C ~aS a - e s f o r e s t f

E.

i s a North A f r i c a ecdemic whose major d i s t r i b u t i o c ha). Optimum growicg c o n d i t i o c s a r e foucd i c Humid m a l t i t c d e . There a r e some g r o v e s i c T u c i s i a a t E l Aic Zaca, which a r e p r o b a b l y v e s t i g e s of a c a c c i e c t (~1-Hamrouci 1978).
Groves acd mixed

3 2 ~ ~ ilex s (holm oak) ~ 2

R a t i v ~t o t h e c e c t r a l acd w e s t e x M e d i t e r r a c e a c b a s i c , holm oak i s conmocly f o x d a t a l t i t 2 d e s h i g h e r t h a c 900 m. Ic T u c i s i a i t o f t e c assumes a b ~ s h - l i k e physiogr.omy acd grows i c a l e p p o p i n e donicated f o r e s t s , b u t t r e e s 6-8 in t a l l do e x i s t . T h e r e a r e some s m a l l pure s t a c d s a t E l Eelda ( c 3 r t h of Ghardimaod) and o r mountaic t o p s . Ic t h e e a r l y 7900s t h e r e u e r e c.20,000 ha of holm oak domieated f o r e s t ( D i r . For. 1 9 3 ) . H a r v e s t i c g f o r fuelwood r e s u l t e d i c t h e l o s s o f macy o f t h e pure s t a r d s acd i c c r e a s e d e r o s i o c . F. Quercas c o c c i f e ~ a ( k e m e s oak)

Racges from P o r t u g a l t o Greece acd Forocco t o S y r i a . Growicg b e s t i n Sub-h.imid, t e n p e r a t e zoces ( b u t foucd i c Humid t o Semi-arid zoces) w i t h maritime i n f l a e r c e , i t u s u a l l y i s o c l y 1-3 m t a l l . Occurs i c Tur3si.a i c f r o s t - f r e e c o a s t a l maquis from Tabarka t o Hammanet and i c l a c d oc D j e b e l Macsour acd D j . Teboursouk.

G.

-p i c a s t e r Picus

(maritime pice)

c .5000 ha

Ic T u c i s i a , m a r i t i n e p i c e o n l y grows n a t u r a l l y betweec Tabarka acd A l g e r i a , b u t i t h a s b e e r p l a c t e d i c macy c o a s t a l a r e a s . Ic c a t u r a l s t a c d s i t i s o f t e r i c a s s o c i a t i o r . w i t h cork oak. The former r a c g e was OveF :0,000 h a , biit a d e c i s i o c t o c u t a l l t r e e s g r e a t e r t h a c 1 m ic d i a m e t e r i c t h e earl:; :300s -educed t h e q u a l i t y acd a r e a o f t h e f o r e s t s .

H.

Pinus halipecsis

(aleppo pine)

Aleppo p i n e i s t h e f o r e s t t r e e w i t h t h e l a r g e s t a r e a i c T u c i s i a . I t grows a c r o s s t h e c o u n t - y , b u t i s most comnoc i c t h e T a n i s i a c Dorsal 600 mm acd t h e b i o c l i m a t e i s m o & c t a i c s where t h e a n c u a l r a j c f a l l i s 400 Semi-arid o r Arid. C o n d i t i o n s a r e most f a v o r a b l e n e a r K a a s e r i c e , and i c t h e High T e l l r e a r Le Kef. The p r e s e n t a r e a covered i s o n l y one-fourth o f t h e c a t u - a 1 r a c g e o f a l e p p o p i n e . Most o f t h e r e d u c t i o n i s due t o human p r e s s u r e f o r fuelwood, t i m b e r , a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d acd g r a z i c g a r e a s . Ir t h e c o r t h e a s t e x pa-t o f i t s Facge, a l e p p o p i n e o f t e e grows i n a s s o c i a t i o c with E r i c a miiltiflora.

I.

Cupressus sempe-yirecs f . cumj d i c e

( ~ a k t a rc y p r e s s )

Groves

Y a k t a r c y p r e s s i s c o r s i d e r e d endemic t o T u c i s i a , b u t the-e a r e some do.;Sts ~ e g a r d i c gi t s t x i e o - i g i c . There a r e only t h r e e small n a t u r a l s t a r d s growicg i c t h e Kesse-a f o - e s t o f t h e T u c i s i a c Do-sal m o ~ n t a i c r a r g e , b - t i t h a s been widely p l a n t e d i n w i n d b ~ e a k s .

O t h e r f o r e s t s p e c i e s i n c l u d e a s h F r a x i n ~ sa c ~ u s t i f o l i a ,elm Ulmus c a m ~ e s t r i s ,a l d e r Alcus g l a t i c o s a and a s p e n P o p u l a s a l b a acd P. n i g r a . These s p e c i e s a-e connonly foacd a l o n g r i v e r s i n a s s o c i a t i o c w i t h p i c e o r oak f o - e s t s . Small s t a r d s of r a r e M o c t p e l i e - maple mocs~essulanum grow a t t h e s u r m i t s of D j e b e l Zaghouac, D j . Bargou acd D j . S e r d j i c t h e Turisier Do~sal.

Deg-aded f o r e s t s a r e o f t e c v e g e t a t e d by maquis o f s h r u b s a r d low t r e e s . I c t h e n o r t h , h e a t h e r E r i c a sp. forms a f a i r l y l a z g e p-oportioc o f t h e u n d e r s t o r y of c o r k oak f o r e s t s . Vhec t h e oak i s removed a maquis o f heathe: yenairs acd icc-eases i c decsity. A c o m m o c maqcis association on h o t e x p o s i t i o c s i c s ~ b h o m i d t o a r i d b i o c f i m a t e s i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by: Olea europaea ( w i l d o l i v e ) Ce-atocia s i l i q u a ( c a r o b ) Pistacia lentiscus Jasmicum f r d t i c a c s

Wild o l i v e and ca-ob a r e catego-ized a s N e d i t e r r a n e a c e l e m e r t s ( ~ l 19 Han-ouri 1978) w i t h t r o p i c a l a f f i n i t i e s ( ~ e ~ e r i m h o f f 4 1 ) . The a s s o c i a t i o r . i s f o ~ ~ r dSabhumid t o Arid b i o c l i m a t e s where t h e y e a r l y i r a i c f a l l i s from 200 t o 800 m. Degraded a l e p p o p i c e f o - e s t s o f t e r . s a p p o r t a m a q ~ i so f J u c i p e r u s o x y c e d x s a r d J . p h o e ~ j c j aor. h i g h s l o p e s and summits O F rosemayy Rosna-lr,s o f f j c j c a l i s o r t h e s l o p e s and 1 o w l a r . d ~ . There a r e c.300,000 ha mjxed w i t h o t h e r f o r e s t a s s o c i a t i o c s . of rosena-y m a q ~ i si r T ~ r i s i a ,o f t e ~

3.

STATUS OF TUNISIAN FORESTS

Ocly 3% o f t h e c o c - d e s e r t a r e a o f T u c i s i a i s covered by f o r e s t s . Evec i f maquis a r e i c c l u d e d t h e r e i s s t i l l o n l y 6% covezage, which makes T u n i s i a one o f t h e Mediterranean f o r e s t s p o o r e s t i n f o r e s t s ( ~ i z .For. 1986). The optimum f o r e s t covezage f o r a c o u n t r y i s 20% ( ~ 1 - ~ a m z o u c i 1978). To a t t a i c t h a t l e v e l would r e q u i r e masstve r e f o r e s t a t i o n e f f o r t s on 2,000,000 ha o f l a c d . Obviously t h i s i s a c e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t g o a l t o r e a c h , e s p e c i a l l y s i n c e t h e t z e n d h a s a c t u a l l y b e e c toward d e f o z e s t a t i o c . A g o v e - m e e t s t u d y ( ~ i r .For. 1984) z e p o r t e d 108,000 ha conducive t o r e f o r e s t a t i o c i c c o r t h e r n T u n i s i a , o f which o c l y 56,000 ha a z e t r i l y l i k e l y t o produce s u c c e s s f ~ lz e s u l t s fzom p l a c t i c g . The y e s t of t h e a r e a s a v a i l a b l e f o r r e f o r e s t a t i o n a z e e i t h e - h e a v i l y g ~ a z e d ,s a l i c e oz d e s e r t i c . t Ir. 1910 f o r e s t s cove-ed 1 , 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 h a , b ~ by 7975 t h e a r e a was reduced t o 500,000 ha. Ic t h e Nogod mo.ict.aics o r e - t h i r d of t h e f o - e s t cove- was removed i c 1 0 y e a x w i t h d i s a s t - 0 2 s c o c s e q u e c c e s f o r s o i l c o c s e r v a t i o n . FIuch o f t h i s l o s s car. be a t t r i b z t e d t o t h e massive f o - e s t h a ~ v e s t i c g o p e r a t i o c s d~:ir.g t h e c o l o c i . a l p e r i o d acd i c a c c i i r a t e s-rvey methods. Howeve?, betweec :975 acd :985 a c a d d i t i o z a l r e d u c t i o c of 132,000 ha occi;??ed a r a t e of ove- 73,OOC ha pe- yea-. A t the curreet rate, the f o r e s t s of T ~ c i s i acoiild d i s a p p e a ~i c l e s s t h a c a c e c t - r y .

Cazses of d e f o r e s t a t i o c i c c l u d e poo- t i m b e r h a - v e s t i c g p z a c t i c e s , e r o s i o r . , c l e a r i c g f o - a g ~ i c c l t u r eacd g r a z i c g l a r d s and c o c s t a c t p-essure f o r f o r e s t p r o d u c t s , sach a s fuelwood acd f o r a g e . A t Djebel Semmama, i c t h e T i l c i s i a c Do-sal, 775 of t h e y e a r l y f o r e s t p r o d u c t i o c d i s a p p e a ~ st o l o c e l z e s i d e x t s ( ~ 1 - ~ a m r o a i9 7 8 ) . k c e s t i m a t e d 7,336,000 cubic m e t e r s 1 p e r y e a r (OIJUPAA :985) a r e reeded t o s z p p l y t h e n a t i o c a l demacd f o r wood (87% of which i s fuelwood). The p o t e c t j a l s u s t a i c a b l e p r o d ~ c t j o cof 485,000 ha of c a t - r a l a r d a r t i f i c i a l f o r e s t I s o n l y 4 . 4 5 of t h e t o t a l demacd

Ic 7984 a t o t a l o f 2,817,000 n' o r 38s of t h e e s t i m a t e d demacd was t a k e r from t h e f o r e s t s , i ~ d i c a t i c ga d e f i c i t i c a c c u a l f o r e s t p r o d u c t i o c . Ac a d d i t i o c a l 360,000 m 3 was imported ( F A O 1 9 9 6 ) t o meet t h e denand f o r i c d u s t r i a l wood, which s t i l l l e f t 595 of t h e fuelwood demacd urmet. A demacd o f t h a t maccitude i c v a r i a b l y r e s u l t s i n widesp-ead m a u t h o z i z e d fuelwood c o l l e c t i o n acd f o ~ e s td e g ~ a d a t i o c . Othe- f o r e s t pzoducts h a r v e s t e d i c 1984 i n c l u d e :
Cork 7,403,000 kg Rosemary 5 8 , 0 0 0 ha Kyrtiis comnilcis 9 , 0 0 0 ha Cape-s 4 , 5 0 0 ha Seeds ( ? i c e ) 3 2 , 0 0 0 kg Dwarf palm > 353 t o e s uckcowr. F e a t h e r ( ~ ~ i sp? c a

Betweec 1890 and 1973, 2.7 m i l l i o c ha of g r a z i c g l a n d s we-e put ucdez c u l t i v a t i o n , f o z c i c g h e ~ d e r st o b r l c g t h e 5 r l i v e s t o c k t o t h e f o r e s t s t o gzaze ( ~ i z .For. 1976). Aftez t h e t z e e s o r s h r u b s have beec c u t , i c t e c s j v e g r a z i c g by domestic l i v e s t o c k d i s r u p t s t h e r e g e c e r a t i o c process. Grazicg a l s o o c c a r s i c u m u s t a n d s , s t o p p i n g t h e n a t u r a l replacement of old acd dyicg t ~ e e s . I n 1976 more t h a c 50% of t h e pine acd oak were of d e c l i c i c g age; t h e r e f o r e , 2 0 5% should have been regenerated.

From 1962 t o 1984 a c average of 9400 ha/yeaz were planted (OMJPAA l 9 8 5 ) , but t h i s p r a c t i c e has beec chacging t h e f o r e s t s p e c i e s composition and s t i l l f a l l s s h o r t of t h e d e f o r e s t a t i o n r a t e . Trees commonly s e l e c t e d f o r p l a c t i n g a r e f a s t g-owing noc-cative s p e c i e s of e a c a l y p t u s , a c a c i a acd pice. Some s p e c i e s n a t i v e t o Tunisia a r e p l a c t e d , but o f t e n t h i s i s doce o u t s i d e t h e c o m a 1 racge of t h e s p e c i e s .

4.

FOREST PROTECTION

A c u x e c t p o l i c y of t h e F o r e s t ? D i y e c t o r a t e i s t o d e s i g r a t e 2 d o f 0n a l l f o r e s t s a s r e g e n e r a t i o n f o r e s t s , t h u s p r o h i b i t i n g g r a z i c g and h a r v e s t i n g of f o y e s t products. R e f o r e s t a t j o r or, p u b l i c l a r d s i s beir,g i c c r e a s e d t o i c c - e a s e t h e h a 3 e s t a b l e r e s o u r c e and t o c o r t r o l e r o s i o c . I c a d d i t i o n , law 66-256 o f 23 December 1986 r e q u j r e s t h a t a t l e a s t % o f t h e a r e a o f each p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y be r e f o r e s t e d . While t h e s e p o l i c i e s and laws m e good i c t h e o r y , t h e a c t u a l r e s u l t s have f a l l e r sho-t o f t h e i r g o a l due t o f i c a c c i a l , a d m i n i s t r a t i v e , demographic acd s o c i o l o g i c a l problems.

Ic o r d e r t o c o c s e r v e some o f t h e i m p o r t a c t f o r e s t a r e a s acd thei: a s s o c i a t e d f l o r a acd f a m a , seve-a1 r e s e r v e s a r d r a t i x a l p a r k s have b e e r e s t a b l i s h e d . Those p r o t e c t e d a r e a s a r e d i s c u s s e d i r S e c t l o r 5.4 of Pa-t I ( ~ i o l o g i c a lD i v e r s i t y survey o f T a i s i a ) .
The ' t r o p i c a l f o - e s t s ' of T a r i s i a co;ld be imp-ovei 3- p x t e c t s d by a s s i s t i r g w i t h p l a r r i c g , t r a i c j n g , e q u i p m e r t acd s t a f f i r t h e a-eas o f :
Refo-estatioc (icc-eased yea-ly p l a ~ t i c go f a p p - o p r i a t e species)

P r o p e r f o r e s t macaqenert ( p l a c c i c g , p ~ o t e tci o r , fo-est. improvement practices) Species s e l e c t i o r ( p l a c t i c g s p e c i e s compatible w i t h the r a t u r a l ecosystems) Upgradicg p r o t e c t i o c of r e s e - v e s a r d p a r k s ( s e e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y a r c e x ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i c r e g a r d t o t r o p t c a l f o r e s t s i s Boz K o r r i r e N a t i o c a l P a r k , which i s domirated by thuya f o r e s t s . A Gece-a1 Maragement P l a r acd budget have beer proposed, biit r o t implemerted due t o l a c k o f f i r a c c e s .

GLOSSARY

Anatid ducks.

S i r d s of t h e Anatidae f a m i l y ; s p e c i f i c a l l y , swans, geese a r d

Archipelago ASL

A g - o ~ p of i s l a c d s .

Above Sea L e v e l ; used i r p l a c e o f FGT ( ~ i v e a u General de ~ u n i s i e ) .

Djebel

The a r a b i c t e r n f o r m o u r t a i r .

Carrlgue The f r e r c h t e r n f o r opec, low b r u s h f i e l d s composed of woody p l a r t s o f t e c l e s s t h a c 50 co t a l l . Halophlle Halophyte

S a l t tole-act placts. P l a r t s w i t h high s a l t c x c e c t , : a t j o c s i c t h e l ? l e a v e s .

Herpetofauna ( a l s 3 f i e r p s s ) Hygrophile

R e p t i l e s acd a m p h i b i a c s .

P1act.s t h a t g?ow or. wet s o i l s .

The a ~ a b i ctg-n fo- t h e r e g i o c o f No-th A f r i c a i c c l u d i c g Maghreb M o h c c o , A l g e ~ i aa r d T,cisia. Maquis The f ~ e c c ht e y . f o ? d e c s e b z u s h f l e l d s d o n i r a t e d by small t r e e s s h ~ u b sf z o n 2 t o 5-8 n t a l l . Placts that Nitrophile coccectra t i o c s .

07

ow

best. o r s o i l s w i t h h i g h c l t z o g e c europaea

O l e a - l e c t i s c u s f o n n a t i o r - A p l a c t a s s o c i a t i o c dominated by acd P i s t e c i a l e r t i s c z s . Oued

The a z a b i c tezm f o r~ v e ? . i

Sirocc6

F o t , d-y w i c d s t h a t o r i g i c a t ~i c t h e Saha-a.

Sward Opec a-eas domirated by low woody p l a n t s ; s h o r t e ? and s p a r s e r t h a r ir garrigues. Waders Bi-ds t h a t feed OR s h o r e l i n e s b i r d s comnocly c a l l e d s h o r e b i r d s .
OF

wade i c t o t h e watez; i c c l u d e s

Waterfowl - Ic t h i s t e x t t h e t e r n i c c l i i d e s most b i z d s t h a t ~ s u a l l y w i m s while f e e d i r . ~ : A c a t i d s , c o o t s , m o o ~ h e c s , e t c . Xerothermic

P l a r t s tole-act

t o d-y c o c d i t i o c s .

LITERATURE CITED

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1975b. Les f o r d s c h a l c t a b l e s de l a r e g i o c cord de l a T m i s i e . Azocz, A. "11. INSTO?. Vol. 2 ( 4 ) : 473-563. B e l k h l r , 14. acd K. Salem. 1983. T!otatiocs d ' h y d r o l o g i e comparee d a c s l e l a c de T c c i s e t l e g o l f e de T i c i s . 9 c l l ICSTOP. Vol.10: 5-26. Hydrologie, Eec-Othcac, S. 1973. S L T c c i s i a c ( g o l f e de Cabes) ~ s e d l n e c t a t i o r , f l o r e e t fax^. T h e s i s . T ~ c i s . 166 c. B e r c a r d , J. 1969. Les m a m i f ~ r e sde T s c i s i e e t d e s r e g i o c s v o i s j c e s . B u l l de l a F a c c l t c d 8 A g r o c o n j e 24/25. pp. 4:-:72. S l a r c , C. acd ::. S c a r e . 1987. F a e r e h e r p e t o l o g i q c e de l a r e g i o c de 30u Hedna e t sor. i c t e r e t p o x l a d e l i m i t a t i o n d e s p e r i m e t r e s a p r o t e g e r . Tcr.ls, T u r i s i a . I c prep. 1 0 p. Carp. 5 . :980. A D i r e c t o r y o f v:esterr P a l e a r c t i c u e t l a r - d s . Sui t z e r l a c d . Cceroc, A . :954. F l o r f de l a T u c i s i e . E c r o l l e t . :927. S a h e l de Sousse. d ~ SBAT. Vol. 4 : 7-264.

I U C N . Gland,
287 p. Accals

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E o r o g r a p h i e Phytogeographiqce.

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D i r . Scv. 1977. Rapport de s y c t h e s e de l a Commissioc F o r e t s , S o l s , D e s e r t i f i c a t i o r . Jourcees TucisSo-Frarcais s u r 18Ecviroccement. 9.. cis. D i r e c t i o c de l g E k v i r o x r e n e c t . I . A . 5p. D i r . For. 193:. Les f o r e t s dc l a T ~ c i s i e . D i r e c t i o r d e s F o r e t s . I m p r i m e r i e V i c t o r Eerthod. 183 p.
Bocrg,

D S r . 737. :965. ? t i d e d ' a 3 e r ~ ~ e n e r .doxs l e s f o r e t s de k r o . i n 9 r i e . t~ P r o j e t d'anexagernert de l a F o r e t d i i F e i d j a . F o r e s t r y E a ~ a c e m e c tP l a c .

Dir. For. 1976. Amecagemect d e s c a p p e s a l f a t e r e s de K a s s e r i c e . m.. 1~ c , T u i s i a si

Mic. Agr.

D i r . For. :976b. F o r e t s et. c o c s e r v a t i o c d e s eacx e t du s o l e c T c r i s i e . I c f o r n a t i o c B r o c h ~ r e . T u c i s . Mic. Agr. 49 p.

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D r . o r . 1986. P . a p p ~ r tT!ational, T c c i s i e . Report t o t h e Commissjoc d e s 20 p. F o t e t s Po.;: 1 ' ~ f r j ~ l i e . Bamako, R a l j

El-Ghezal, A . corserver.

1982. P a r c ?!atjoctil de 1'Ichke:;l. Uc p a t r i m o j r e n o r d j a l a U r j v ? r s i t g Pa:il V a l e r y , X o r t p e l l i e r . Xenojres. 77 p.

El-Haarcl~r.i, P. ar.2 F!. L o i s e l . 1979. C o c t r i b c t i o c a l ' e t c d e de l a t e t r z l l i r a l e T - ~ c i s i e c r e :l e s g r o c p e n e c t s d e s D j e b e l s 9 3 Korcice e t ~ Ecologie Ressas. Ko t e s phy t o s o c i o l o g i q u e s K o r d - h f r i c a i c e s . Iyedl t e r r a r e a . K O . 4 : 133-1 39. FAO.
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:985.

3orne. 348 p.

G a c l t j e r , T. :37E. ' L ' i s l e d e l a G a l j t e e t s e s i l o t s . Irstit9it K a t i o c a l de ?.echerches S c j e c t S f j q a e s e t T e c h r i q z e s . T c c i s . 19 p. 195E. C a r t e i c t e r x a t j o n a l e d.- t a p i s v e g e t a l G a c s s e r , !-I. ard V e r r e t , A . Tixis Sftix. I r s t i t u t Geggraphique N a t i o c a l e , T u c i s i a .

ISEC. C r a f t e c v l r o c m e c t a l p r o f i l e on P u c i s i a . G r a r t , A. A r i d Lecds I c f o r n a t i o c C e c t e r . TLCSOE,k r i z o c a . 7 3 p.

Grimnet, T?.

Prepared by t h e

:987.

A review of t h e problems affecticg Palearctic

m i g r a t o r y b i r d s ic A f r i c a .

Ic prep.

ICBP.

Cambridge. C a r t e phyto-ecologique d e l a Ace. INRAT. Vol 4 0 , 42.

!, S c h o e c e r b e r g e r , A. e t a l . :965. Cuecot, F. P c c i s i e s e p t e c t r i o n a l e R c h e l l e 1/200,000.

F e i c z e l , I-!., F i t t e r , R. acd J . Parslow. 1979. The b i r d s o f B r i t a i c acd E s r o p ~ ,w i t h North A f r j c a and t h e ?!iddle E a s t . C o l l i e s ( e d s . ) . Lordor. 320 F. Heymod, V . 1987. Assessnect of t h e s t a t e of t h e f l o r a of t h e Vest K e d j t e r r a r e a r . B a s j r . P r o c e e d i c e s of t h e Cocferecce Regiocale scr l a Cor.st.rvar;or. de l a 1iat.Lre e t l ' l i t j l j s a t i o r . d e s Ressocrces Veget,ales. I r p r e s s . Rabat, !;orocco.

H o l l i s , C. 1986. The modelling acd macagemect of t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l l y i m p o r t a c t w e t l a r d a t C a r a e t e l I c h k e c l , T c c i s i a . IWRB s p e c i a l p s b l i c a t i o r No. 4. S l i m b r i d g e , C l o c c e s t e r s h i r e , Englacd. ICB?. 1987. B o t t l e c e c k a r e a s f o r m i g r a t o r y b i r d s i n t h e M e d i t e r r a c e a c r e g i o r . S t ~ d y e p o r t No. 18. r
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IUC?:. 19E7. D i r e c t o r y of t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a s of North A f r i c a . D r a f t . Prepared by P r o t e c t e d Areas Data Unit. I U C N C o c s e r v a t i o c M o c i t o r i c g C e ~ t r e . Cambridge. K r a i e n , Y . 1983. 707-1 24. Freshwater f i s h of T u n i s i a .
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Kir. hgr. 1985. Strategic c a t i o c a l e de l u t t e c o c t r e l a d e s e r t i f i c a t i o r . 1 3 5 s t r y of A g r i c c l t c r e . U:!EP Program. T c r i s , T e c i s i e . Vol. 2.

Worgsr., F. Africe. 1982. kr. e c o l o g i c a l si;rvey of stard1.r.g watersw i r North-West B i o l . Cocs. 24: 83-713.

F o r t j e r , ?:. 7977. La v e g e t a t i o n du l a c de M o c a s t i r . Peche. T x i s i e . Vol. 1 ( 2 ) : 207-21 1

B e l l . Off. Natc.

Nabli, Y. :987. Diversite f l o r jstique e t ressocrces vegetales e c T x i s i e . P r o c e e d i r g s of t h e C o r f e r e c c e R e g i o c a l e Sur l a C o c s e r v a t i o c de l e 1:atcre e t l ' l l t i l i s a t i o r d e s R e s s o c r c e s V e g e t a l e s . I n p r e s s . Rabat, Xorocco. K a j a i , S. ar.6 V . Zabrah. 1981. Repport ssr l a campagre de p r o s p e c t i o n dc h s r . r o x d a ~ s e s h a - t s f x d s de Kerkecrah. Rapports e t Docnnects l 7,-pnmn l,. ,, Lo. 2: : - : 4 .

-.-.

Olre:;, P. t r r

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OHUPAA. 1985. ' P r o j e t de developpemect f o r e s t i e r e t de l u t t e c o c t r e l a d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c . Programme d e C o o p e r a t i o n T e c h n i q u e , T i i c i s i e . Workicg Doccnect. Vol. 1. 7 0 p. ORSTO!'. 1962. Co~rs de phy t o s o c i o l o g i e . 113 p. Fecherches F o r e s t i e r i s . P u b l i c a t i o c s de l a S t a t i o c de

P a l l a s , P. 1972. Water r e s o u r c e s i c t h e n o r t h e r n S a h a r a . Resol-rces. Yol. ~ ( 3 ) : 9-17,

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P e y e r i m h o f f , P. 1941. C a r t e f o r e s t i e r e d e 1 ' A l g e r i e e t d e l a T u n i s i e . N o t i c e . Cvt. Cxr. A l g e r i a . 71 p. P o t t i e r - . \ l a p e t i t e , C. 1979. F l o r e de l a T u c i s i e . de l a 9 e p c b l i q a e T ~ c i s i e c c e . 2 Vols. Imprimerie O f f i c i e l l e

Rtidford, C . ticd G . P e t e r k e c . 1969. S i t e s de l a T c c i s i e a y a r t m e j x p 2 r t e r c e s c i e r t j f i q . i e e c c e q u i c o c c e r c e l a v e e e t a t i o c . IBP/CT Fepsrt. :E p. Ricey, lards.

!'.

.964. Peter-tial o f t h e w i l d l i f e r e s o s r c e i c T c c i s j a r f o r e s t R e p o r t t o t h e Covercmert of T m i s j a . FAO, Rome. 21 p.

R o s s e r , : e t a l . :378. . m r z c h c s : ir. T c r i s i a .

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1.

2.

3.
4.

Rare, Very Rare acd Endemic ( p a r t i a l ~ i s t i n g )P l a c t s of T w i s i a Mammals of T u n i s i a B i r d s of Tunisia Heiligechafen C r i t e r i a

ANNEX

RARE, V R RARE AND ENDEMIC (PARTIAL LISTING) PLANTS OF TUNISIA EY

r v 7 T A NA NS A S A

= Rare = Very Rare

=

= = = =

T i x i s i a Erdemic T i x i s i a / k l g e r i a Ecdemi c North A f r i c a Ecdemic E o r t h A f r i c a r S a h a r a Tndenic S a h a r a !?cdenic = A l g e r i a Erdemic Krozmirie C o n r t a i c s Mog~d K o x r t a i c s T u r l s i a r Dorsal !loantairs Wedjerda v a l l e y

K = M = TD = VY =

CB = Cap Bor.

K = N ~ r t h e a s tT i i c i s i a E TC = C e n t r a l T u r i s i a TS = S o c t h e r c T u c i s i a

ANNEX 1 RAEE, VERY RARE AKD ENDEMIC ( ~ a z t i a lL i s t l n g ) PLANTS OF TUNISIA

Species Abutiloc theoph-asis Acez m o r s p e s s u l a n u m A e g i l ~ p st - i i x c i a l i s Agzopyzoc r e p e c s va-. glaucum Agrostis reute-i Aizqsis terella Ajuge r e p t a c s A l l j a-ia o f f i c i n a l i s A l o p e c ~ z i sm y o s ~ ~ o i d e s A . p ~ a t e c s l ss s p . b r a c h y s t a c h y s Altexrthe-ti s e s s i lis Althaee l u d x i g i i A. o f f i c i c a l - s Alyssa sc;tli;e~~n b n a x c t h ~ sg y a c i l l i s Anbe-coa c ~ ~ p i r o i a e s l y b i c a vaAcabbsis a p h y l l a s s p a f ~ i c a c a X%acycl;s v a l e r . t i c s s Acegallis t e r e l l e A. m ~ r e l l f sse c o l l i c a j . c t i - ~ t i c .b ? ~v i f3 l i ~ ~f bed-ocgmb:za g-amire.im krch.isa aegyptcaca Ard-opogo~ distachyus A c t h s a l s EoctEra A. c o t ~ l a Acthoxarth2m g - a c i l e A r t i c c - l a a c - o s t i dea Acti?hiczx ~ a n o s i s socam j A c v i l l ~ a7 a d i a t . a A . F. v z ? e z s t x l i s Apera i c t e ~ ~ u p t a A-abls v e r c a A. pa-vula A. p-bescecs Arerazia m a ~ g i c a t a A. g - a n d i f l o - a Aristida z c i t i f l o ~ a Artemesis v i l g a - i s AXE-ie s p i c ~ l o s a A?xi3 ~licij asphodel,^ a c a ~ lsj A s y l e r j 2- p e t ~ a - c h a e A s t e 7 t 5 ? D l : vA s t ~ ?sl c ~ ~ 7 a v e n l e r . s s

Status

Distribution

K , NE TD TD TD K,TD CK B K K
TC

K ,TD

r<

TS TS TD ?E : TS TS TS ,TC K NT, TD TC,TS TC ,TS TS

K ,B!
TD TC K ,NE

K
TS TS
TS

K
TD,K TD

K
TC TD TS

M
TC, NF: TD TD CB TS

Annex 1 ( ~ o n t t n u e d )

Species A s t r a g a l a s gombiformis A. c r r l c i a t a s s s p . a r i s t j d i s A. f a l c i f o r m i s A. m ~ n s p e s s u l a c u s Astrocarpss sesamoides Atriplex tatarica Avelliria michelii Avera l o c g i g l u m i s A. fatiia Ealarsea glaberrima Barbarea v d g a r i s Eellevalia c i l i a t a Elechc.m s p i c a r t . B o t h r i o c h l o a ischaem7m Brachiari a m d t i c a B r a s s i c s dimorpha Brassica c r e t i c a s s p a t l a n t i c a B r m z s racernosus s s p commutatus 5. s q - a ^ . --osi;s 9. i r t 2 r n 2 d . x B-fforia t e ~ c i f o l i a Edci-m c r a s s i f o l i ~ m B i p l e z r i n f ~ d tcosum i B,tom~s a m b e l l a t a s Calerd;la rnorardi Campackla f i l i c a ~ l i ss s p r e b o u d i a c a C. a t l a c t i c a Cardanice graeca Carex d e p r e s s a C. f l a c c a v a r e u - g l a u c a C. h o r d e i s t i c h o s C. p a l l e s c e c s C . pseudo-cype.ais Carthanus c a l v a t u s C a r m moctacum Castacea s a t i v a C e c t s a r e a amara s s p a c g u s t i f o l i a C. a . s s p . r o p a l o r C. c i c e r a r i a v a r gymcocarpa C. eriophora C. s e r i d i s v a r n a r i t i m a Cert-rc-las bri ~ i m u s C ~ r t i s t i . i mc a e s p i t o s u ~ Certitophyll~-ns 2 b m e r s ~ n C h a e t o r y c h i z cymosa

Status

Distribution TS

M
TC CB TS TS

K
K T D K NE K
TD

T K ,TC TD TC,K TD CB v I$ 1 1

NE, CB TC TS K K CB TD K
T D TD K K

NE
C B CB TC, TS C E K KT ,TS c3

Annex 1 ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

S~ecies C h o r d ~ i l l aj u c c e a Chqsacthemum c l a i i s o c i s Cicho-ium i r t y b u s s s p . e u - i c t y b u s va:. glab-atun Cistus villosiis var tauricus Cleocea l a s i t a c i c a Colchicm ~ i t c h i i C. a ~ t a r n c a l e C o c v a v d a s cceo:am C. h a i l i s Co-scilla a t l a r t i c a C. v a l e c t i c a s s p pectaphylla Co-ycephoxs a - t i c a l a t u s f a s c i c a l a t u s C 3 7 2 2 , ra2dir.j i Cotoreaste? ~acemiflo-a C-epis c l a ~ s c c i s C. t c c e t a c a Crypsis z c ~ l e a t a C. s?opec,?oides Ctfcopsis pecticella C ~ t a c d l ep h i l i s t a e e Cypexs p o l y s t a c h i ~ s Cyclarec a f ~ i c a c u m C. p e x i c x n Cycos2-is pflt5a:i C. e l e g a c s s s p o b l i q u a t u s ~ ~ s t 3 ~ t fei l i ix ~ f r a g i l i s e u - f r a g i l i s Cytiszs nocspeliecsis D a c t y l i s g l ~ c e - a t a va- t y p i c a

Status

Distri b u t i o c

r
r

Delphicjam b a l a c s a e

Diarthus rcpicola Dichacthlam a c e a l e t u n Diplotaxis ac-is D o ~ o c i c u na t l a r t i c ~ m D o r y c i c i ~ mp e r t a p h y l l u r n Draba h i s p a r i c a Dyyopte-is f5 l i x - m a s I . ilfta ! c 6 D. v i l l a - s j S

Annex 1 ( c o n t i n u e d )

Species Echium a r e c a r i u m E. s u f f r u t i c o s u m Elatice absinastrm E. hydropiper v a r p e d u n c u l a t a Ecceapogon b r a c h y s t a c h y u s E. s c a b e r Ephedra major Eragrostis trichophora Erigeroc t r i l o b u s Zrodium pachyrrhizum E. mucbyaccm 2. naritim-m Ecphorbia a l l e p i c a E. amygdaloides v a r b i e c c i s S. e t l a c t i c a 3. b i s m b e l l a t a E. paciculata E. sqaamigera Exaculun p s i l l u m F e l - ~ l at d c e t a n a F e s t ;ca p a c i c u l a t a Filago heteractha s s p cupaciaca Forestia hamiltocii F r a g a r i a vesca F r a c k e c i a corymbosa F. p a l l i d a Fiimaea c a l y c i c a F ~ m a r i ab i c o l o r F. macrosepala F. d e c s i f l o r a s s p . b r a c t e o s a F. p a r v i f l o r a Galizm pusillum verticillatun Gecista saharae G . microcephala v a r g e c u i n a G. m. v a r tur,etaca G. u l c i c a Geracium clumbicum G . pyrecaicum Geun urbacum Glices lotoides Gcaphalium l u t e o - a l b m Ganphocarpus f ~ " t i c o s c s Gocidimoc t a r t a r 5 cum
G.

Status

Distrj b u t i o c

TC TC
K

H,CB TC TS TD,TS
TC, CB

TS
K

CB CR
NE

K ,Vi.;
K K

CB
K,M,CB

TC ,TS K K TS K TC ,TS TC ,TS TD K TD TS TS TD TD TS

K,CB

TD
K

TC
K

TD

Accex 1 ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

Species Halogetoc a l o p e c u r o i d e s Hedysa~umhumile v a r f o n t a c e s i i Heliacthemum h e l i a c t h e m o i d e s H. r o s m a r i c i f o l i u m s s p e h r e m b e r g i i H. s a l i c i f o l i u m s s p ictermedium H. vescariciim Helioscacdium inucdatum H e l i o t r o p i m luteum Hemarthria compressa s s p a l t i s s i n a Heteropogoc c o n t o r t i s Hippoczepis hzmide H. micoy s s ? . b r e v i p e t a l a Holciis s e t o s u s Hypecoum procumbees s s p d u y i a e i Hypericzm acdrosaemiirn Hyoscyarnas c i g e r I o c o p s j d i m a l b i f lorcm Iyis f o e t i djssma I. s i i b b i f l o r a I. Ucgnlculeri s I. xiphiurn J a s i o ~ eh a m i l i s Juccus s u b c o d u l o s u s Kcautia a ~ v e c ss i Koeleria r o h l f s i j K. s p l e c d e c s Lactaa m u r a l i s
L. viminea va- chondrilliflo-a

Status

Dist-ibstioc

Lamiiim bifid;im L. mauritacicum Lapsana comrnur.is s s p macrocaypa Lasiopogoc muscoides L a t h y r ~ sa c c u u s L. a r t i c u l a t ~ ss s p eu-clymecum L. b r a c h y o d ~ s L. c i s s o l i a L. cumidicas L. s e t i f o l i u s L. c i g e r Laicaea a r g u s t i f o l i a va? sq;arrosa L. a c a c t h o c l a d a Lava te-a f l a v a L. p x c t a t a L. s t e c o p e t a l a

Annex 1 ( c o n t i n u e d )

Species L e e r s i a hexacdra Leoctice leoctopetalum Limociastram guyociacum Limocium s p a t h u l a turn L. b o i t a ~ d i Licaria aegyptiaca s s p b a t t a e d i e r i L. a n e c s i s L. c o s s o c j L. cymbaleria L. C i s s i t a L. e l a t i r e L. f l a v a L. miro: L. paradoxa L. p e d i x c i l a t a L. p e l l e c e r e r l a L. p i n ~ i f g l i a L. Teflexe vaT. doumeti L. v i - g a t a s s p a l g e - i e c s i s Licyz c o r y m b i f e r a s s p . a r i s t i d e s L. c c q m b i f e z n s s p . 1anbeszr.um Loll-? t e m c l e r t u n Lotiis c o c j mbrj c e c s i s L. c r e t i c i s s s p cornmutatus L. d-epacocarpus LzdwiLgia p a l a s t ~ i s Lzz-la c a m p e s t r i s Lycopsis o ~ i e c t a l i s Lysiriachia c o i s i r i a c a Ly t h r ~ mc m m a l a c f olium Magydaris p a r a c i f o l i a Kactisalca salmactica E a r e s i a malcolmioides Narrubium a s c h e r s o c i i K a r s i l e a aegyptiaca Ratricaria tridectata Medicago a r a b i c a E. h i s p j d a v a r microdon F . h. va-. r e t i c u l a t a ! 1-7. h. v a r . b r a c h y a c a c t h a R. t - b e r c u l a t a Eelica i x i f l o r a 7?elllotus e l e g a ~ s !!ertha l o q j f o l i s Koliciz c e e x l e a !?olucellz s p i r o s a

Status rIJA r NAS

Distributioc

v T
r r

T
"

vl?A r

. .
rNA

vT
v v rT
v
"

. . r . . . .
"

r NA r r

r vNA r
v v rNA T

r rNA

.
" "

.
r r

. . . v .
"

Ancex 1 ( c o n t i n u e d )

Species Mocsonia c i v e a Moretica cacescens Myosotis m i c r a ~ t h a M. p u s i l l a Kyriophyllum s p i c a t u m N a - d x u s m a ~ i t i m u sv a r a r i s t a t u s Kepeta a l g e - i e c s i s h'. a p - d e i Bigella a ~ v e c s i s Xynphea a l b a Odoctites fzadici Oligone-is lici f o l i a Onphalodes l i c i f o l i a O c o b y ~ c h i sc a p ~ t - g a l l i Ococis a l e p e c u r o i d e s 0. b i f l o r a 0. m i t i s s i m a 0. at-ix s s p . f i l i f o l i a 0. per.d;;la 0. r o s e a 0. v i s c o s a s s p s i e b e r i O c ~ p o r d o ca c a u l e Orosna e c h i c e t d m O p h ~ s tlanti ca a 0. s c o l o p a x s s p . c o r c u t a Orchis locgicornu 0. e l a t a 0. p a l u s t - i s
0. sinia

Status

Distzibutioc TS TS TD TS CB TD K K,NZ TC K
1 :

TS fJE K,TC RE, TD K ,N 1iE TS TC TD TS TD TD K,CB,TD

O r y z o p s i s paradoxa Paccratum f o e t i d u m Parocychia chabloziaca P e g a n ~ mharmala v a r . garamactum P e c c i s e t u m dichotomum Phleam p h l e o i d e s Phlomis b o v e i Phyllitis scolopecdri~m P. hemi o c i t i s Picls picestfr P l a ~ t a g oc n ~ o c o p ~ s p p u r p u r e s c e c s s P. t ~ r e t a c e P o t a n o g f t o ~d e c s u s P. l a c e c s P. catar.s

NE ,TD TC TS TS TD M K TD K CR Tn TS TD

v I.?

Ancex 1 ( ~ o c t t c u e d )

Species P o t e c t i l l a micrantha P. s u p i c a Prosopis stephaniaca Pseuderucaria c l a v a t a P s i l u m s incurvus Pteris locgifolia Pulicaria crispa h t o r i a calabrica P y r ~ ss y s i a c a Querczs a f a r e s Bacdoria a f r i c a c a R a p i s t x n rugosum s s p eu-rugosun R a r ~ c c . ~ l u s lcatus ssp eu-falcatus fa R. f . s s p . ircu:vus R. p a ~ v L f l o r z s R. s c l e r a t ~ s Reseds l u t e a s s p ~ u - l u t e a R. a l p h o c s i j R. dcraeaca Eharnc~s f r a r g u l a Rosa a g ~ e s t i s R. gallica R. m i c r a c t h a R. s t y l o s a ?.iib,s i c c a r e s c e c s Rumex p i c t ~ s s p b i p i r a a t u s s R. t a r e t a r u s Rycchospo-a g l a u c a Saccharm ravemae Sagica a p e l a t a s s p c i l i a t a S a l p i c h r o a rhomboidea Salvia jamiciara S. phlornoides S. s c l a r a e a S. t i c g i t a c a S a m b c c ~ se b u l u s S. cige: S a c g u i s o ~ b i as p i c o s a Satu:eia fortaresii Saxifraga dichotona Scab) osa o r e c a t a s s p t y p i c a S. f e ? i c o s a S c i l l ~ bt"sifo1ia o Sclerochlora ddra

Status

D i s t ~biu t i o r

TS l!!?,TC TD,TS

TC ,TS
CB, K

NE,TC NE, TD

Ancex 1 ( c o n t i n u e d )

Species Scleropoa hemipoa Scorzocera l a c i n i a t a s s p i n t e r m e d i a Sedum tuberosum Sececio c i c e r a r i a v a r t y p i c u s S. f o l i o s a s S. jacobea a s p b a r b a r a e - f o l i e s S. l i v j dus S e r a p i a s l i c g ~ as s p d u r i o e i S e s e l i naaum S. varium v a r a t l a c t i c u m S e r ~ a t u l a~ j . c c tai f i d a S h e c o ~ l se h - e c b e r g i i S i d e - i t i s ixcaca var. t ~ c e t a c a S i e g l i c g i a decumbecs Silece a t l a c t i c a S. b a r r a t t e i S. c e r a s t o i d e s S. cocica v a r a . a s t r a l i s S. mollissirna S. c e g l e c t a S. s e d o i d e s S i s y n b ~ i u mpolyce-atum Solacum dulcamara S ~ l i d a g ov i r g a a u r e a Sorbus a r i a S o ~ g h mhalepexse SpargarAum erect.,im Spartica paters S p e c i l a r i a hybrlda Spergzla a r v e c s i s S. pentacdra S p e r g d a r i a s a l i c a var leiosperma Sporobolus t o u r c e u x i i Stachys d u r i a e i S. m a ~ i t i m a S. max-ubifoliom Stipa foctacesii S t e l l a r i a holostea Succowia b a l e a r i e a Tamarix b a l a c s e a Taraxacm abovatin T. microcephalum T e e s d a l i a crocopi f ~ la j T e l e p h i m sphaerospemum

Status

Dist~ibutioc TC T D
CB CB NE,I.:,CB CB N E TD TD,TC F D T ,?S C
i (

TD
TD,?C,?S TD CB KR, CE
CE

c3

Y,TD K 9D TI!

C E ,1.: TC

!JE ,TC K T D TC, TS

TS

TD
K K TD K TD, CB

9S TD T D K ,V ! .
3s

Annex 1 ( ~ o n t i c u e d )

Species Teucrizn atratum T. p o l i ~ r ns s p . f l a v o v i ~ e n s T. pseudo-sco-adonia T. r a d i c a n s T. s c h o e ~ e ~ b e - g r i Therneda t r i a ~ d r a Thymelaea t a r t o r r a i r a v a r g e n u i n a T. sempe-virecs T o l p i s ba-bata s s p e u - b a r b a t a Tragopogor. p o r r i f o l i c s v a r a u s t r a l i s Trapa r.at.acs n 1- etadi cl5 s t e c a l ? ~ m-. l f o l i . ~ j z. l i a r i ~ T. sqca::cs.;n ssp. t i l r e t a c ~ n T. s t ~ i a t ~ n T r i g l 3 c h j r ma:itjx-m '?:igorella gladiata Tulipa cl"siace

Status

Distribution

K TS,TC

M H vP :
M,NA TD TS K ,I.I TD NE TC ,TS TD TD K ,TD NE
TD 1E . 1

3
h?

V a l e r i a c e l l s cl-.lo:od3cta V. p i m i l l 2 Verocica cymbalaria v a r parormit.aca V. se:pylllfolla Vicia a l s i s s i n a 1. b e c g h a l e r - s i s ' V. b i t h g c i c a V. dispe-a V. fi%:~2~& V. sictila V. t e t r a s p e r n a s s p . t e t r a s p e r m a V. v i l l o s a s s p d a s y c a r p a V . v. s s p . p s e u d o - c ~ a c e a V i o l a rnmbyaca V. odorata Wahlecbergia i o b e l j o j d e s

TD TD T D K K,M CB,TC TD, K CB TD K ,CB TD TC ,TS TC ,NE TD TD T D

NE

K
TD TD

ANNEX 2

M M A S OF TUNISIA A ML

A.

Species Presect Commor. Nane: Comrnoc d o l p h i c Kock s e a l Water b u f f a l o Barbary d e e r Dorcas g a z e l l e Cuvier's gazelle Slecder h o x e d g a z e l l e (rhim) Aasdad ( b a r b a r y m a x t a i c s h e e p ) Wild s o a r Barbary hyeca ( s t r i p e d hyeca) Comoz j a c k a l Red fox S a d fox ,Per.cec ff;x Kaffir cat Soitherr Kaffir cat Sar.d c a t Caracal Serval Lycx Otter Egyptiac Eocgoose Conzor g e c e t Saharac s t r i p e d weasel Weasel Europeac p o l e c a t Striped polecat Brovr h a r e Europeac r a b b i t ( N A s u b s p e c i e s ) A l g e r i a n hedgehog D e s e r t hedgehog White hedgehog North A f r i c a c e l e p h a c t shrew Shrew sp. Shrew s p . Bat
I,

S c i e n t i f i c Name:

Status:

Delphinus delphi s Mocachus mocachus Bubalis bubalis (i)c Cervus e l a p h u s b a r b a r u s tC Gazella dorcas tC G. c a v i e r i tC G. l e p t o c e r o s tC Ammotrag2s l e r v i a tC Sus s c r o f a barbarus Hyaeca hyaeca tC C a c i s eureLs V ~ l p e sv i l p e s V. r u p p e l l i F e r n e c q ~ sz e r d a C F e l i s sylvestris libyca C F. s. o c r e a t a C F e l i s margarita C r Caracal caracal ?C Leptailzrus serval Lyrx l y c x pardirius ?C Lutra l u t r a r C H e r p e s t e s jchceumoc Cenetta gecetta C Poecilictus libyca C Mustela c i v a l i s ?C Mustela p u t o r i u s ?C Ictocyx s t r i a t a Lepus c a p e c s i s O r y c t o l a g a s car.j.cillus a l g i r i s NA Erinaceus a l g i rus Paraechicus aethiopicus ?C Aethtchicus a l g i r u s Elephantulus r o z e t i NA Succus e t r u s c u s Crocidura russula Fliropterils s c h r e i b e r s i i C Pipistrellis pipistrellis C Rhicolophus rnehelyi R. e u r y a l e C R . ferrum-equicum C R. hipposideros C Myotj s b l y t h i o x y g c a t h u s 14. m y o t i s Ept,esicus s e r o t i c u s i s a b e l l i r c s Plecotus austricacus aegypticus
C

Acnex 2 ( C o c t i c u e d )

Comnor Kane: North A f r i c a c c r e s t e d p o r c u p i n e Gucdi Shaw's j i r d Libyar: j i r d Jird sp. Gerbil also

S c i e c t i f i c Name: Hystrix c r i s t a t a Ctenodactylus g w d i K e r i o c e s shawj K. l i b y c u s M. c r a s s u s C e r b i l l u s campestris Di.podj.llus c a m p e s t r i s C. c a c u s G. s i m o c i C. gerbillus C. pyramj.d;lm Pachynroinys d - p r a s i Psammonys o b e s . 2 ~ Rattus r a t t u s R. a l e x a c d r i c u s R. norvegicus L e m ~ i s c o m y sb a r b a r d s Jaculus jaculus J. o r i e r t a l i s Apodenus s i l v a t i c i l s Eliomys q u e x y c u s

Status:

- ...

,,

Sac? r a t Black r a t Paln r a t ),!orway r a t Striped r a t Lesser Egyptiar jerboa J e r b o a s?. F i e l d mo-st? 'Leror'

3.

Large Kamnals E x t i r p a t e d From T c r i s i a S c i e n t i f i c llame: Addax ( r e c e r t l y reir-traduced) S c i m i t a r - h o r r e d oryx " Hartebeast Cheetah S a r b a r y lior. Barbary l e o p a r d Barbary ape North A f r i c a c e l e p h a c t ( 1 s t c e r t .) Addax c a s o m a c u l a t u s Oryx dammah Alcelaphus b u s e l a p h x Acicicyx jubatus Pacthera l e o Panthera pardus Kacaca s y l v a c a Loxodonta a f r i c a c a

r = Rare t = Threatened C = CITES l i s t !:A = Korth A f r i c a Rrdenjc ? = R e p ~ r t e d jc l j t e r a t ~ r e ,b z t c s r r e z t p r e s e r c e 2s quest.iorable

ANNEX 3
BIRDS OF TUNISIA

Conmor Name: Great c r e s t e d grebe Black-cecked grebe L i t t l e grebe M a ~ xshearwater Cory's shearnater Storm p e t r e l Garret Shag Cornoract Pygry cormoract Grey heror P;rple h e r w Great white e g r e t L t t l e egret l Cattle egret Sqiacco h e r o r !light heroc Little bitterr Bitterc Spor.bil1 Glossy i b i s !;kite s t o r k Black s t o r k Greater flanicgo 3ar-headed goose Snali goose Grfylag goose Sear goose White- f r o r t e d goose Eercacle gaose Shelddck Raddy s h e l d u c k Mallard Gadwall k'igeor. Teal Gargarey Pi~tail Shoveler Marbled t e a l Red-crested pochard Tiifted duck Pachard F ~ r r - g i c a i sd ~ c k

S c i e n t i f i c Heme: Podiceps c r i s t a t u s P. n i g r i c o l l i s Tachy b a p t u s ruf i c o l l i s Puf f i c u s puf f i c u s C a l o n e c t r i s diomedea Hydrobates p e l a g i c u s Sula b a s s a ~ a Phalacrocorax a r i s t i t e l i s P. carbo P. pygmeus Ardea c i c e r e a A . purpurea Egretta alba E, g a r z e t t a Bubulcus i b i s Ardeole r a l l o i d e s Nycticorax r-ycticorax Ixobrychus mirutus Botaurus s t e l l a r 5 s P l a t a l e a leucorodia Plegadis falcicellus Cicocia cicocia C. c i g r a Phoecicopterus x b e r Acser j ~ d i c u s A. caerulescecs A. a c s e r A. f a b a l i s A. a l b i f r o c s Brarta leucopsis Tadorca t a d o r p a T. f e r r u g i c e a Anas platyrhynchos A. s t r e p e r a A. penelope A. crecca A. querquedula A. a c u t a A. c l y p e a t a A. a n g u s t i r o s t r i s Netta r ~ f l n a Aythya f u l i g ~ i l a A. f e r i ~ a A. cyroca

Annex 3 ( ~ o c t i . n u e d ) Conmoc Name: Red-breasted merganser White-headed dilck Osprey White-tailed e a g l e Red k i t e Black k j t e Black-shouldered k i t e Short-toed e a g l e Sparrowhawk Levact sparrowhawk Eczzard Locg-legged buzzard Hocey buzzard Eorelli.' s eagle Booted e a g l e Gqldec e a g l e Lesser spotted eagle Tawy eagle Egyptiar v u l t u r e Bearded v a l t a r e Lappet-faced v u l t a r e Griffoc v-lture b!arsh h a r r i e r Hec-harrier Pallid harrier F o ~ t . a g is h a r r i e r ' Saker f a l c o r Lamer falcoc Peregrice Barbary f a l c o r . Eleocora' s f a l c o c Hobby Merlir. Red-footed f a l c o c Lesser k e s t r e l Kestrel Barbary p a r t r i d g e Quail Crace Demoiselle c r a n e A c d a l u s i a c hernipode L i t t l e bustard I?o,bara b u s t a r d k'ater r a i l Spotted c r a k e L i t t l e crake P a i l l o r ' s crake S c j e c t i f i c Name: Mergus s e r r a t o r Oxyara l e u c o c e p h a l a Pandior. h a l i . a e t u s Haliaeetus a l b i c i l l a Milvus m i l v u s M. m i g r a c s Elacus caeruleus Circaetus ~ a l l i c " s Accipi t s r r i s u s A. b r e v i p e s Euteo b1.iteo B. r u f i c u s Percis apivorus Hieraeetns f a s c i a t u s I?. p e r r a t ~ s Aqui l a c h r y s a e t o s A . p0rnarir.a A. rapax Neophror p e r c c o p t e r a s Cypaetus b a r b a t u s Torgos t r a c h e l i o t ~ s Gyps f u l v ~ s Circus aeriigicosus C. cyar.es;s C. macrourzs C. pygargus Falco cherriig F. b i a r m i c c s F. p e r e g r i c u s F. p e l e g r i c o i d e s F. e l e o c o r a e F. s n b b z t e o F. c o l u n b a r i u s F. v e s p e r t i c u s F. nailmacnj F. t i c c u c c u l u s Alectori s barbara Coturcix c o t u r c i x Grus g r u s Acthropoides v i r g o Turcix syl v a t i ca O t i s tetrax Chlanydotis ucdulata Rallas a q u a t i c ~ s Porzaca porzara P. parva P. p i i s i l l a

Annex

3 (continued)
S c i - e c t i f i c Name: Crex c r e x C a l l i c u l a chloropus Porphyrula a l l e c i Porphyrj o porphyrio Fulica a t r a Haematopus o s t r a l e e s s Himactopus himactopus Recurvirostra avosetta Charadrius h a i t i c u l a C. d u b j u s C. e l e x a c d r i c u s Pluvialis aprjcaria P. s q u a t a r o l a Eudronias n o r i c e l l u s Arecarja i c t e r p r e s V a c e l l ~ sv a r e l l ~ s Limicola f a l c i r e l l u s C a l i d r i s f e r r , g ~r e a C. a l p i c e C. t e n m j c c k j i C. micuta C. c a c ~ t u s C. a l b a Phalaropzs l o b a t ~ s Tricga totacus T. e r y t h r o p s s T. c e b . ~ l a r i a T. s t a g c a t i l i s T. hypoleucos T. g l a r e o l a T. o c h r o p u s Philomachas pugcax Durnecjus a r q u a t a N. tecuirostris N. phaeopus Limosa l i m o s a L. l a p p o c i c a Scolopax r u s t i c o l a C a l l i c a g o media Lymnocryptes m i c i n u s Callinago gallinago B u r h i c u s o e d j ccemus Glareola praticcola C u r s o r i ~s c u r s a r Stercorari is s k ~ a S. p a r e s i t i c & S. pornarir-&s

Commor Name: Corncrake Moorhen Aller' s g a l l i c u l e Pdrple g a l l i n u l e Coot 0ystercat.cher Black-wicged s t j l t Avocet Ricged p l o v e r L i t t l e rir-ged p l o v e r Kectish plover Golder p l o v e r Grey p l o v e r Dotterel Tcrcstoce Lapwir.e, Broad-bi l l e d s a c d p i p e r Cixlew s a c d p i p e r Ducli r Temrnir.ck' s s t i c t Little stict Krot Sarderlirg Red-r.ecked p h a l a r o p e Redsha~k Spotted redshack Gree~shack Xarsh s e c d p i p e r Cornmoc s a n d p i p e r Wood s a r d p i p e r C r e ~ cs a r d p i p e r R uf~
Curlew

S l e ~ d e r - b i l l e d curlew Whimbrel Black- t a i l e d gadwit B a r - t a i l ~ d godwit Woodcock Great s r i p e Jack s r i p e Scipe S t o r e curlew Collared p r a t i c c o l e Cream-colo~red c o J r s e r Great s k c a A r c t i c skda Pomarire s k ~ a

Connoc Came: Aiidoaic ' s g d l Slecder-bj l l e d g u l l Black-headed g u l l Little gcll Kediterraceac g c l l Herricg g u l l L e s s e r black-back G r e a t black-back Connor g u l l Kittiwake G-11-billed t e r r C a s g i a ~t e r c Royal t e r r Lesser c r e s t e d t e r c Sacdulch t e r r
Com-13r. t e n

S c i e n t i f i c Mane: Larus aud oui n j i L. g e c e i L. r i d i b u c d u s L. m i e . ~ t u s L. melanocephalus L. a r g e c t a t u s L. fusctls L. mariniis L. c a n u s Rissa t r i d a c t y l a Celochelidoc ni l o t i c a Hydroprogee t s c h e g r a v a S t e r n a maxima S. b e c g a l e c s i s S. s a n d v i c e c s i s
S. h l r . i r . d o

L i t t l e terr. 3lack t e r n White-virged b l a c k t e r c k'hisksre? t e r c Razorbll? Piiffir. L i t t l e a-ik Spotted sardgrouse Crowred s a c d g r o u s e PLr- t a l l e d s a r d g r o u s e Elack-bellied sacdgrouse Flock dove Stock dove Voodpige~r T , r t l e dove P a l n dove o r l a c g h i c g dove Nanaqaa dove Great s p o t t e d cuckoo Cuckoo Barn owl Eagle owl Locg-eared owl Short-eared owl s c o p s ow1 L i t t l e owl Tasty owl !:ight j a r F?ed-cecke? e l g h t j a r E ~ y ~ t i a i ght j a r cc Sxif : Pallld s x i f t

S. a l b i f r o c s Chlidocias c i g e r C. l e ~ c o p t e r a s C . hy b r i d a Alca t o r d a Fraterclila a r c t i c a Alle a l l e Pterocles secegallus P. c o r o n a t a s P. a l c h a t a Pterocles oriectalis Colcmba l i v i a C. o e n a s C. palumbus Streptopelia turtur S. s e c e g a l e c s i s Oeca c a p e c s i s Clamator e l a c d a r i u s Cuculus c a c o r u s Tyto a l b a Blubo bubo Asio o t u s A. flammeus Otus s c o p s Athece c o c t u a S t r i x aluco C a p r i m u l g ~ se u r o p a e d s C. r u f i c o l l i s C. a e g y p t i ~ s A p s ap;s A. p a l l i d z s

Annex 3 ( c o n t i n u e d ) Commoc Name: Alpjce s w i f t Little swift Bee-eater Blue-cheeked b e e - e a t e r Roller Kicgfisher Hoopoe Greec woodpecker Great s p o t t e d woodpecker Lesser s p o t t e d WoOdpecker Wryceck Shore l a r k ~ e n n i c c ks horced l a r k ' Hoop?? l a r k Short-toed l a r k Lesser short-toed l a r k Desert l a r k Ger-tailed d e s e r t l a r k D,?or,t' s l a r k Calacdre l a r k Thick-bi l l e d l a r k li~odlark Skylark Crestgd l 6 r k Thekla l a r k Swall~u Crag n a r t : ~ Sard m a r t i r Yojse n a r t i c Tree p i p i t Keadow p i p i t 9ed-throated p i p i t
7 ,

S c i e n t i f i c Name:
A. melba
A. a f f i ~ i s

).!crops a p i a s t e r

M. a u p e r c i l i o s u s Coracias g a r r u l u s Alcedo a t t h k s Upupa epops Picas v i r i d i s Dendrocopos major D. m i m r Jyrx torqui l l a Eremaphila a l p e s t r i s 5 bilopha . Alaemoc a l a u d i p e s Calandrella cinerea Calacdrella rufescecs Ammomaces d e s e r t i A. c i c c t u r ~ s Chersophilus duponti Melanocorypha c a l a n d r a Rhamphocorys c l o t - b e y Lullula arborea Alauda a r v e c s i s Galerida c r i s t a t a G. theklae Hirundo r u s t j c a H. r u p e s t r l s Riparia r i p a r i a Delichoc u r b i c a Acthus t r i v i a l i s A. p r a t e n s i s A. c e r v i n u s h a t e r pipit A. s p i r o l e t t a A. c a m p e s t r i s Tawry p i p i t White w a g t a i l Motacilla alba M. c k n e r e a Grey w a g t a i l Blue-headed & y e l l o w w a g t a i l M. f l a v a Conmoc b o l b d Pycnonotus b a r b a t u s Black-headed bush s h r i k e Tchagra s e n e g a l a Great g r e y s h r i k e L a ~ i u se x c u b i t o r Xoodchat s h r i k e L. s e r a t o r L. c o l l u r i o Red-backed s h r i k e P r u r e l l a modularis Hedgesparrou o r ducrock CrasshDpper w a r b l e r Lacustella naevia Sav5 * s w a r b l e r L. l u s c i r i o i d e s Acrocephalus s c i r p a c e u s 4ee? warbler A. a r i c d i c a c e ~ s Grez; reed w a r b l e r

Ancex 3 ( ~ o c t i ~ u e d ) Conmoc Nane: Moustached w a r b l e r Aquatic w a r b l e r Sedge w a r b l e r C e t t i ' s warbler Fan-tailed warbler Scrub w a r b l e r I c t e r i c e warbler Nelodious w a r b l e r Olivaceocs warbler Vhitethroat Cardex w a r b l e r Blackcap Orpheac w a r b l e r S a r d i r i a c warbler T r i s t r a n ' s warbler Desert warbler Subalpice warbler Spectacled warbler ~ a r m o r a ' sw a r b l e r Dartford warbler Millox w a r b l e r Chiffchaff Wood s a r b l e r Bocelli' s werbler Coldcrest Firecrest Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Pied f l y c a t c h e r Collared f l y c a t c h e r Stoeechat Whirchat Blue rock t h r u s h Rock t h r u s h Wheatear Desert wheatear I s a b e l l i n e wheatear Black-eared w h e a t e a r Kourcire wheatear Red-rimped w h e a t e a r Vhite-crow-ed b l a c k wheatear Black w h e a t e a r Black r e d s t a r t Redstart Youssier's r e d s t a r t Robir. Blce t hrob t Nightirgale S c i e c t i f i c Flame:
A. melacopogon A. p a l u d i c o l a A. achoenobaenus Cettia c e t t i C i s t jcola j w c i d i s Scotocerca i c q u i e t a Hippolais icterina H. p o l y g l o t t a H. p a l l i d a S y l v i a cammucis S. b o r i c S. a t r i c a p i l l a S. h o r t e c s i s S. nelacocephala S. d e s e r t 5 c o l a S. c a c a S. c a c t i l l a c s S. c o c s p i c i l l a t a S. s a r d a S. u c d a t a Phylloscopcs t r o c h i l u s P. c o l l y b i t z P. s i b i l a t r i x P bone115 R e g u l ~ sr e g u l u s R. igcicapi l l u s Xuscicapa s t r i a t a Ficediila hypoleuca F. a l b i c o l l i s Saxicola torquata S. r i l b e t r a Focticola s o l i t a r i a s K. s a x a t i l i s Oececthe o e r a n t h e 0. d e s e r t i 0. i s a b e l l i c a 0. h i s p a c i c a 0. l u g e c s 0. moesta 0. leiicopyga 0. l e u c ~ r a Phoeci c u r ~ s c h c r o s o P. phoeci c z r - s P. r n o i s s i e r i Eri thee-e r s b e c ~ l a LuscS c i a s v e c i c a L. megarhycchos

Annex

3 (~octicued)
S c i e c t i f i c Name: Cercortichas galactotes Turdus merula T. t o r q u a t u s T. p j l a r j s T. i l i a c u s T. p h i l o m e l o s T. v i s c i v o r u s Turdoides fulvus Aegithalos c a u d a t ~ s Parus a t e r P. major P. c a r e i r ~ l e c s Certhia brachydactyla Troglodytes troglodytes Enberiza c a l a r d r a E. s t r i o l a t a R. c i a E. c j r l u s E. h o r t c l a r a E. s c h o e c i c 1 . s F r j c g j l l a moc t j f r j c g i l l a F. c o e l e b s Carduelis c a r d u e l i s C. s p i r u s C. c h l o r i s Coccothraustes coccothraustes Rhodopechys g i t h a g j c e a Acarthis carrabica Sericus sericus Loxia c c r v i r o s t r a Passer hispaciolecsis
P. d o m e s t i c ~ s

Comn3c r!ane: R ~ f o u sb u s h c h a t Blackbird Ricg o u z e l Fieldfare Redwi~g Sorg t h r a s h Histle thrush F ~ l v o i i sb a b b l e r Locg-tailed t i t Coal t i t Great t i t Blce t i t Short-toed t r e e c r e e p e r Vrec Core b z c t i c g Hozie b i i c t i c g Rock b i x t i r . 6 Clrl b ~ c t i c g Ortolar. Reed b x t l c g 9ranbLir.g Chaf f i r c h Goldfir.ch Siskic Greecfirch Hawfirch Trcmpeter fir.ch Lir.ret Serir: Crossbill S p a r i s h sparrow
H o ~ s esparrow

Desert sparrow Rock sparrow Star1ir.g Spotless starling Colder o r i o l e Jay Nagpie Raver. Brouc-necked r a v e n Jackdaw

P. s i m p l e x
Petroria petrocia Sturcus viilgaris S. u c i c o l o r Oriolus oriolus Garrulus glacdarius Pica pica C O ~ V ~COraX S C. r ~ f i c o l l i s Corvcs m o r e d . ~ l a

A NX 4 NE HEILICENHAFEM CRITERIA ( ~ e ~ r i n t efrom: Carp 1980) d

1.

C r i t e r i a p e r t a i e i c g t o a w e t l a n d ' s i m p o r t a c c e t o p o p u l a t i o n s and species

A wetland shoold be c o n s i d e r e d i c t e r c a t i o c a l l y i m p o r t a n t i f i t :

a ) r e g i i l a r l y s i i p p o r t s 1 s ( b e i c g a t l e a s t 100 j n d j v i d u a l s ) o f t h e flyway o r b i o g e o g r a p h i c a l p o p o l a t i o c o f oce s p e c i e s of w a t e r f o w l ; or b) r e g i l a r l y s.;pports e i t h e r 1 0 , 0 0 0 ducks, g e e s e and swacs, o r 1 0 , 0 0 0 c o o t s , o r 20,000 waders ( ~ l m j c o l a e ) ; 0r c ) s y p p g r t s a c a p p r e c i a b l e caber of a c endacgered s p e c i e s of p l a c t o r acinral; 0r d) i s of s p e c i a l v a l u e f o r m a i c t a i c i n g g e n e t i c acd e c o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y b e c a ~ s so f t h e q ~ a l i t yacd p e c ~ l i a r i t j e sof i t s f l o r a acd f a u c a ; or e ) p l a y s a major r o l e i c i t s r e g i o c a s t h e h a b i t a t of p l a c t s acd of a q o a t l c acd o t h e r a c i n a l s o f s c i e c t i f i c o r ecocomic i m p o r t a c c e . 2. C r i t e r i a c o c c e r a e d w i t h t h e s e l e c t i o c of r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o r u n i q u e wet1ar.d s
A. wetlacd s h o ~ l dbe c o c s j d e r e d i c t e r c a t i o n a l l y i m p o r t a c t i f

it:

a ) i s a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e example of a u e t l a c d commonity c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f i t s biogeographical regioc; or b) e x e n p l i f i e s a c r i t i c a l s t a g e o r extreme 5.r. b i o l o g i c a l o r hydromorphological p r o c e s s e s ; or c ) js a c i n t e g r a l p a r t o f a p e c o l j a r f e a t u r e .

3.

C r i t e r i a coccerned w i t h t h e r e s e a r c h , e d o c a t i o n a l o r r e c r e a t i o c a l v a l ~ e sof w e t l a c d s
A wetlacd s h o A d be c o c s i d e r e d i c t e r c a t i o c a l l l y i m p o r t a c t t i f i t :

a ) i s o ~ s t a c d i c g l yi m p o r t a c t , w e l l - s i t o a t e d acd w e l l eqoipped f o r s c i e c t i f i c r e s e a r c h acd e d i i c a t i o ~ ; 0r b) i s w e l l - s t . i d i e d acd doc.2nected o v e r n a r y y e a r s ar.d w i t h a c o c t i n u i c g procrern o f r e s e a r c h o f h i g h v a l u e , r e g ~ l a r l yp ~ b l i s h e dacd c o c t r j b u t e d t o by t h e s c j e ~ t i f j ccommie5 t y ; 0r c ) o f f e r s s p e c i a l o p p o r t x i t i e s f o r p r o n 3 t i c g p u b l i c u c d e r s t a c d i c g acd a p p r e c l a t i o c of w e t l a c d s , opec t o people from s e v e r a l c o x t r i e s .

Annex 4 (continued)

4. C r i t e r i a concerned with t h e p r a c t i c a l i t y o f c o c s e r v a t i o c and management

Notwithstanding i t s f i t n e s s t o be considered a s i n t e n a t j o c a l l y important on one of t h e C r i t e r i a s e t o u t under :, 2 and 3 above, a wetlacd should only be desigcated f o r i n c l u s i o c i c t h e L i s t of t h e Ramsar Convectjoc i f

it:
a ) i s p h y s i c a l l y acd a d m i c i s t r a t i v e l y capable of being e f f e c t i v e l y cocserved acd managed; acd b) is f r e e from t h e t h r e a t o f major impact of e x t e r n a l p o l l i i t j o n , hydrological i n t e r f e r e n c e s acd land use o r i n d u s t r i a l p r a c t i c e s . c ) A wetlacd of c a t i o c a l importacce only nay n e v e r t h e l e s s be cocsidered o f i c t g r c a t i o n a l importacce i f i t forms a complex wjth another a d j a c e n t wetlard of s i m i l a r value a c r o s s a c j c t e r c a t i o n a l border.