South Mediterranean Quercus coccifera Forest

Large stands of these forests occur in Algeria and Tunisia on fixed coastal dunes particularly in the coastal zone from Tabarka to Nabeul. In places Quercus coccifera forms a dense, much branched shrub, but locally develops into trees often associated with tall (8-9 m) Juniperus phoenicea. Other associated small trees and shrubs include Ceratonia siliqua, Olea europaea, Phillyrea angustifolia, Pistacia lentiscus and the endemic Ephedra altissima (Ephedraceae). There are also many small shrubs such as Asparagus acutifolius, Calicotoma villosa, Clematis cirrhosa, Lavendula dentata, Lycium intricatum, Retama monosperma, Teucrium polium and Withania frutescens.

 

South Mediterranean Quercus afares Forest

Forests characterized by the endemic Quercus afares (Fagaceae) are largely confined to the acid massifs in Khemir and Mogod where wetter conditions prevail. Quercus faginea if often scattered in the canopy and may form the dominant species in places. Associated species include Ampelodesma mauritanicum, Cytisus villosa, Erica arborea, Genista tricuspidata, Paeonia atlantica and Ruscus aculeatus.

 

South Mediterranean Abies numidica Forest

Forests dominated by the endemic Abies numidica (Pinaceae) form just a few hundred hectares confined to the twin summits of Babor and Tababor in Algeria. Associated trees may include Acer obtusatum, Ilex aquifolium, Quercus faginea, Populus tremula and Taxus buccata together with the endemic Quercus afares (Fagaceae) and near endemic Cedrus atlantica (Pinaceae).

 

South Mediterranean Atriplex halimus-Lycium europeaum Coastal Shrubland

These shrublands are characteristic of some of the more favourable parts of the coastal zone and typically found in and around wadis. They can reach heights of over 3 m but normally rarely exceed 1 m, and they can display considerable floristic variation with several different sub-associations recognized. Floristic samples have been recorded, for example, in the coastal zone just south of Mersa Matruh in Egypt. In addition to Atriplex halimus and Lycium europeaum other common species depending on locality include Periploca angustifolia, Phlomis floccosa, Plantago albicans and Salsola scheinfurthii. Phlomis floccosa (Lamiaceae) appears to be close to its western limit here and is nearly endemic to the Egyptian-Arabian BioProvince. However, much of this vegetation has been grazed, especially by goats, for thousands of years and so how close it is to the original vegetation is difficult to say. Associated endemic or near endemic species possibly include Anacylus alexandrina (Asteraceae) and Scorzonera alexandrina (Asteraceae), and several species, such as Ammochloa palaestina (Poaceae), Lobularia arabica (Brassicaceae), Paronychia arabica (Caryophyllaceae) and Verbascum letourneuxii (Scrophulariaceae) are, like the above mentioned species, possibly close to their western limit here and nearly endemic to the Egyptian-Arabian BioProvince.

 

South Mediterranean Thymelaea hirsuta – Plantago albicans Coastal Shrubland

These shrublands typically occur on coastal plateaus and slopes as well as in depressions, and can be seen, for example, in the Marmarica area of Egypt. Thymelaea hirsuta can grow to heights of up to 1.5 m but is usually less the 1 m. Species composition can vary considerably and several sub-associations are recognized. Other common associates depending on locality include Atriplex halimus, Paganum harmala, Salsola schweinfurthii and Traganum nudatum, but where, for example, there are large accumulations of loose sand psammophytes like Ammochloa palaestina become conspicuous. Other less common associates include Asphodelus microcarpus, Astragalus asterias, Bupleurum lancifolium, Carduncellus mareoticus, Centaurea calcitrapa, kickxia aegytiaca,  Linaria haelava, Medicaga littoralis, Marrubium alysson, Reichardia tingitana and Salvia tetrandra. Thymelaea hirsuta is quite resistant to grazing pressure and is not browsed when green, but is commonly used for fuel, timber and shelter.

Further information required.

 

References

Ayyad, M. A. 1976. Vegetation and environment of the Western Mediterranean coastal land of Egypt. Journal of Ecology, 64: 713-722.

Bendali, F., Floret, C., Floc’h, E. Le. & Pontanier, R. 1990. The dynamics of the vegetation and sand mobility in arid regions of Tunisia. Journal of Arid Environments, 18: 21-32.

Bornkamm, R. & Kehl, H. 1990. The plant communities of the Western Desert of Egypt. Phytocoenologia, 19: 149-231.

Boussaïd, M., Ben Fadhel, N., Chemli, R. & Ben M’hamed, M. (undated). Structure of the vegetation in northern and central Tunisia and protective measures. CIHEAM – Options Mediterraneennes.

Ferchichi, A. Undated. Rangelands biodiversity in presaharian Tunisia. CIHEAM – Options Mediterranean.

Mathez, J., Quézel, P. & Raynaud, C. 1985. The Maghreb countries. In: Plant Conservation in the Mediterranean. Ed. C. Gómez-Campo. Dr W. Junk Publishers.

Quezel, P. 1978. Analysis of the flora of the Mediterranean and Saharan Africa. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 65: 479-534.

White, F. 1983. The Vegetation of Africa. UNESCO.