TYPOLOGY, PRODUCTIVITY AND DYNAMICS OF ALEPPO PINE STANDS IN THE OUARSENIS MASSIF (ALGERIA)

Mohamed Sarmoum (1) , Rafael Navarro-Cirrillo (2) , Frédéric Guibal (3) , Fatiha Abdoun (4)

1 Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Out Soil Culture, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences
2 Universidad de Córdoba = University of Córdoba [Córdoba]
3 IMBE - Institut méditerranéen de biodiversité et d'écologie marine et continentale
4 USTHB - Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene = University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene [Alger]

Aleppo pine is the most important forest species in Algeria. This species has been used for a long time in reforestation programs, notably the "green dam" planted in the 1970s. Despite this importance, the Aleppo pine continues to undergo all kinds of degradation such as land clearing, illegal cutting and fire. This situation is causing reduction of potential wood production, also jeopardizing the vitality of the stands and their regeneration. This work aims to describe the typology, productivity and dynamics of Aleppo pine stands in the Ouarsenis massif (West of Algeria). 27 plots were installed to describe the stands (composition of forest species, dbh , total height, and basal area). Regeneration was estimated by the rate of juvenile individuals (dbh<5cm). The results obtained shows that the Aleppo pine develops different conditions for altitude, climate and type of soil. These conditions have a direct influence on the structure of the Aleppo pine and its productivity. The best populations develop on an average altitude (500 to 1400 m), in subhumid and semi-arid climates, on southern exposures and on limestone soils. The stands are mostly young (age <70 years) with good natural regeneration. These results put focus on the factors of degradation of the Aleppo pine, in particular the recurring fires and the lack of silvicultural management which application can improve the productivity and the vitality of the stands.

Mots clés: Aleppo pine; Ouarsenis massif; productivity; stands dynamic

Domaines: Sciences de l'environnement

Mohamed Sarmoum, Rafael Navarro-Cirrillo, Frédéric Guibal, Fatiha Abdoun. TYPOLOGY, PRODUCTIVITY AND DYNAMICS OF ALEPPO PINE STANDS IN THE OUARSENIS MASSIF (ALGERIA). AGROFOR - International Journal, 2020, 5 (2), pp.112-121. ⟨10.7251/AGRENG2002114S⟩. ⟨hal-03017845⟩