Introduction

The Mediterranean coastal ecosystems are characterized by strong climatic and soil constraints, salinity, wind, drought and shallow soil or mobile. The Algerian coast, like Tunisia, is a whole subject to significant human pressure more intense than in the rest of the country. This pressure acts for decades on vegetation and is ongoing .

Analysis of the floristic richness of the various groups, their biological characteristics and chorologic would highlight their floristic originality, their conservation status and, therefore, their heritage value. Dahmani (1997).

This study was performed based on phytosociological surveys to determine the close affinity of different plant groups in relation Rosmarinus officinalis. Second, the knowledge of this rich flora helps make proposals leading to the preservation and improvement of these fragile environments, to limit damage and to promote their development in a rational way.

Materials and Methods

The study area is characterized by great diversity of flora that is related to the combination of environmental factors that are also very varied (variation bioclimatic Action anthropozoogene).

For this study we selected 03 study sites locating in the western part of north western Algeria Figure1. These are located between 34 ° 25 ‘and 35 ° 19’ and west longitude with a 1 ° 19 ‘and 1 ° 44’. They are limited geographically:

the north by the Mediterranean Sea

south of the wilaya of Naama

to the west by the Algerian-Moroccan border

to the east by the province of Temouchent

southeast by the wilaya of Sidi Bel Abbes

These help us to better understand the dynamics of vegetation but also to better understand the ecological factors.

Figure 1: Geographical location of the study area   Click here to View figure

To value the groups in Rosmarinus officinalis we conducted 200 surveys in total; and each survey was conducted in a homogeneous floristic area. The surface of the statement must be equal at least to the minimum area, containing virtually all of these species.

Execution of statements accompanied by the raising of stationnels characters. (Location, altitude, exposure, recovery rates, substrate, slope … ..Etc.); Then each species is affected by two indices, the first is abondance- dominance, the second sociability

The abundance – dominance expresses the space occupied by the projection on the ground of all the individuals of each species. This coefficient admits the following scale (Braun Blanquet 1952).

Once the surveys conducted, they were sorted by correspondence analysis (A.F.C) and hierarchical clustering (C.A.H).

For this analysis we will focus on ecological determining the floristic diversity and syntaxonomic analysis will be devoted to the description of phytosociological units related to Rosmarinus officinalis.

Results and Discussion                                   

Table 1: values ​​and inertia ratio of the first AFC axes 

The eigenvalues of the first axes are 24.5 and 7.4, respectively, the clouds are therefore really structured on the main map. On this plan opposed sets.

positive Side

Cistus monspeliensis                                                         Pistacia lentiscus

Cistus  salviifolius                                                              Rosmarinus officinalis

Erica multiflora                                                                  Tetraclinis articulata

Lavandula dentata                                                            Teucrium pollium

Micromeria inodora                                                          Pinus halepensis

Negatif Side 

Chamaerops humilis subsp argentea                                          Stipa tenacissima

Daphne gnidium                                                                             Stipa torilis

Figure 2: The factorial of the species – coastal (Axe2 – axis1)   Click here to View figure

The negative side is represented training Woody chamaephytiques and perennialgeophytiques better adapted to drought, the positive side of the axis is dominated by species characteristic of a mixture of silica and limestone, such as substrate Cistus monspeliensis ; Cistus salviifoliuset Lavandula dentata for the siliceous substrate and Rosmarinus officinalis for the limestone substrate

The positive side translated training in Matorral closed on siliceous substrate belonging to the class of Cisto Rosmarinea while  the  positive  side  presents  an  open Matorral  dominated  mainly by Chamaerops humilis.

The 2/1 plan shows a regressive evolution of training (closed Matorral to an open matorral) , thus  resulting  in a regressive evolution of the sward.

Plan 3/1  Figure3

positif Side

Lavandula dentata

Cistus monspeliensis

Micromeria inodora

Schismus barbatus subsp calycinus

Phagnalon saxatile

Teucrium polium subsp capitatum

Plantago major

Ulex parviflorus

negatif Side 

Calycotome intermedia

Chamaerops humilis subsp argentea

Daphne gnidium

Gnaphalium luteo-album

Pistacia lentiscus

Rosmarinus officinalis

Teucrium polium subsp polium

Stipa tenacissima

Ulex boivinii

The positive side of this axis usually includes species characterizing a clear matorral on siliceous substrate such as Lavandula dentata; Cistus monspeliensis and Ulex parviflorus.

While the negative side contains the species thus characterizing the class of the Ononido Rosmarinetea on calcareous substrate; and for the majority of the species are xerophytes.Therefore the plan 1/3 reflected a moisture gradient in the direction of the axis.

Figure 3: Factorial plan of species – coastline (Axe3 – axis1)   Click here to View figure

Interpretation of the hierarchical tree: figure 7

The method of the ascending hierarchical classification applied to 200 records, provides the hierarchical tree. The curve allows us to split 200 surveys in 3 cores A, Band C.

Core  A

Micromeria inodora ; Erica multiflora ; Lavandula dentata ; Cistus monspeliensis ; Calycotome intermedia ; Phagnalon saxatile ; Rosmarinus officinalis ; Pistacia lentiscus.

Core A includes the Phanerophytes and the Chamaephytes, these species indicate a purely Woody forest training.

Core  B

Pinus halepensis; Tetraclinis articulata ; Helianthemum hirtum ; Schismus barbatus subsp calycinus ; Urginea maritima : Dactylis glomerata ; Catananche lutea ; Ulex parviflorus ; Inula viscosa ; Plantago major ; Trifolium melilotus-ornithopodioides ; Ballota hirsuta ; Helianthemum pilosum ; Rubia perigrina ; Ampelodesma mauritanicum ; Thymus ciliatus ; Linum strictum ; Teucrium pollium capitatum.

Figure 4: taxa of the Kernel A   Click here to View figure

Figure 5: Taxa of the Kernel   Click here to View figure

The core B shows a net decrease of the Phanerophytes at 10%;  the  Chamaephytes pass  from  87%  to  28% with appearance of other biological types such as Geophytes; Hemi- cryptophytes  and  a  high  number of Therophytes of about 39%.

Core  C 

Aegilops triuncialis ; Ajuga chamaepitys ; Ajuga iva ; Allium nigrum ; Amoides verticillata ; Anacyclus clavatus ;Anagalis arvensis subsp latifolia ;Anagalis arvensis subsp phoenicea ;Anthyllis tetraphylla ;Arenaria emarginata ;Arisarum vulgare ;Aristolochia longa ;Arum italicum ;Asparagus accutifolius ;Asparagus albus ;Asparagus stipularis ;Asperula hirsuta ;Asphodelus microcarpus ;Asteriscus maritimus ;Astragalus lusitanicus ;Avena sterilis ;Bellis annua ;Blakstonia perfoliata ;Borrago officinalis ;Brachypodium distachyum ;Briza minor ;Bromus rubens ;Bryonia dioica ;Calendula arvensis subsp communis var Bicolor ;Calendula suffruticosa ;Calycotome intermedia ;Campanula dichotoma ;Campanula trachelium ;Carduus pycnocephalus ;Catananche coerulea ;Centaurea incana ;Centaurea pullata ;Centaurea solstitialis ;Centaurium umbellatum ;Cephalaria leucantha ;Chamaerops humilis subspargentea ;Chenopodium album ;Chrysanthemum coronarium ;Chrysanthemum grandiflorum ;Cicendia filiformis ;Cistus albidus ;Cistus heterophyllus ;Cistus salvifolius ;Cistus villosus ;Convulvulus althaeoides ;Convulvulus tricolor ;Coris monspeliensis ;Daphne gnidium ;Daucus carota ;Echinaria capitata ;Echium vulgare ;Echium italicum ;Erodium moschatum ;Eryngium maritimum ;Euphorbia felcata ;Euphorbia helioscopia ;Euphorbia peplus ;Fedia cornicopiae ;Ferula communis ;Ferula lutea ;Fumana thymifolia ;Fumaria capreolata ;Galium aparine ;Galium verum ;Genista tricuspidata ;Gladiolus segetum ;Globularia alypum ;Gnaphalium lueo-album ;Halimium halimifolium ;Herniaria hirsuta ;Hippocrepis multisiliquosa ;Hippocrepis unisiliquosa ;Hordeum murinum ;Iris xiphium ;Jasminum fruticans ;Juniperus oxycedrus ;Juniperus phoenicea ;Knautia arvensis ;kundmannia sicula ;Lavendula multifida ;Lavandula stoechas ;Lavatera mauritanica ;Lepturus cylindricus ;Linum suffriticosum ; Linum tenue ;Lobularia maritima ;Lonicera implexa ;Lotus ornithopodioides ;Malva sylvestris ;Marrubium vulgare ;Medicago littoralis ;Micropus bombycinus ;Muscari comosum ;Muscari neglectum ;Nepeta multibracteata ;Olea europea ;Ononis natrix ;Ononis reclinata ;Ophrys speculum ;Ophrys apifera ;Orchis coriophora ;Ornithogalum umbellatum ;Orobanche purpurea ;Oxalis corniculata ;Pallenis spinosa ;Papaver rhoeas ;Paronychia argentea ;Phylleria angustifolia Subsp. Angustifolia ;Pinus maritima ;Plontago logopus ;Plontago psyllium ;Plontago serraria ;Polygala monspeliaca ;Polygala mumbyana ;Polypogon monspeliensis ;Quercus coccifera ;Quercus ilex ;Ranunculus spicatus ;Rananculus repens ;Raphanus raphanistrum ;Reichardia picrioides ;Reichardia tingitana ;Reseda alba ;Reseda lutea ;Retama retam ;Rhamnus lycioides ;Rosa canina ;Rosa sempervirens ;Rumex bucephalophorus ;Ruta chalepensis ;Salvia verbenaca ;Satureja calamintha subsp nepeta ;Scabiosa stellata ;Scilla peruviana ;Scolymus grandiflorus ;Scorpiurus muricatus ;Sedum acre ;Sedm sediforme ;Senecio vulgaris ;Sherardia arvensis ;Silene gallica ;Sinapis arvensis ;Smilax aspera ;Solanum nigrum ;Stelaria madea ;Stipa tenacissima ;Stipa torilis ;Tamus communis ;Teucrium fruticans ;Teucrium polium subsp polium ;Thapsia garganica ;Thymus hirtus ;Tolpis barbata ;Torilis nodosa ;Trifolium angustifolium ;Trifolium campestre ;Trifolium stelLatum ;Tulipa sylvestris ;Ulex boivini ;Vella annua ;Veronica persica ;Vicia sativa angustifolia ;Vicia villosa dasycarpa ;vibernum tinus ;Viola arborecens ;Xeranthemum inapertum

Figure 6: TAxa of the Kernel C   Click here to View figure

The Core C, The Therophytes Takes The Extent On Other Biological Types With 61%;  Then  Come  The  Chamaephytes With 18%; Geophytes; Hemi- Cryptophytes And  Finally  The  Phanerophytes  With 4%.

The Phytosociological Status Of These Species Allows Us To Relate These Core To;

The Class Of Quercetea Ilicis Braun-Blanquet (1974)  For  The  Kernel  That

Includes  Most Of The Forest And Establish Such As Groupings  Asparagus Acutifolius  ; Daphne Gnidium ; Juniperus Oxycedrus , Olea Europea ; Phylleria Angustifolia  Subsp  Angustifolia : Quercus Ilex And  Rosa Sempervirens. This  Class  Combines  The  Sclerophyllous  Formations  Around  The Mediterranean. Dahmani (1997)

The Order Of Pistacio- Rhamnetalia Alaterni Rivas-Martinez (1974) WithThe Presence Of Other Sclerophyllous Formations More Degraded As: Ampelodesma Mauritanicum ; Asparagus Albus ; Jasminum Fruticans ; Juniperus Phoenicea ; Pinus Halepensis. Quezel Et Al (1992) It Brings Together Groups Of Edge, Or Even Coastal Trees, Sometimes Climax, Especially In Semiarid Bioclimatic Zones, Or Leading By Gradual Evolution To Frankly Forest Structures (Quercetea Ilicis), Particularly In Sub-Humid And Humid Vorbeur Teilung.

The Class Of Ononido-Rosmarinetea Or The Classes Of Cisto-Lavanduletea    Depending  On  The  Nature Of The  Substrate  (For Example:  Rosmarinus   Officinalis In  Limestone  Substrate  And  Lavandula Dentata;) Cistus  Mospeliensis  On  Siliceous  Substrate). The   Stellarietea Mediae  Class  Which  Include  Nitrophilous  Vegetation  Dominated  By the  Therophytes And Related Cultures. These Species Are Distributed Throughout The Mediterranean  Region.  The Groupings  Of  This  Class  Are  Anthropozogenes  Which  Explains  Their  Extension To Measure Degrade Environments Dahmani(1984).

Among The Characteristic Species Of This Class Encountered In Our Study Area: Avena Sterilis ; Blakstonia Perfoliata ; Daucus Carota ; Marrubium Vulgare ; Paronychia Argentea ; Schismus Barbatus Subsp Calycinus.

Figure 7: Dendrogram of coastal species   Click here to View figure

The Phytosociological And Phyto-Ecologique Groups To Rosmarinus Officinalis Study Concluded That The Study Area Undergoes A Regressive Dynamics Of Vegetation By The Passage From One Stage To Another, Ranging From Matorralisation (Progressive Clarification Of The Tree Stratum Replaced By Of Chamaephytes);  The  Dematorralisation  (Endangered  By  Grazing  Where  Grubbing-Up Of The Chamaephytes) Up To Therophytisation (Development  Of A  Procession   Of More Or  Less  Nitrophilous  Therophytes,  To Rapid Development).

And According To The Achieved Dendrograms We Were Able To Identify The Main Characteristic Species Of Large Phytosociological Units (Class Of Quercetea Ilicis, Des Ononido-Rosmarinetea,   Stellarietea Mediae  And Thero-Brachypodietea And Order Of The  Pistacio  – Rhamnetalia  Alaterni).

Species Thymus Ciliatus Subsp. Coloratus ; Micromeria Inodora ; Erica Multiflora; Lavandula Dentata ; Cistus Monspeliensis ; Calycotome Intermedia ; Phagnalon Saxatile ; Pistacia Lentiscus Are More Related To Rosmarinus Officinalis.

References

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2. Quezel, M.Barbero, A.Benabid, R.Loisel Et S.Rivas-Martinez, Contribution A La Connaissance Des Matorrals Du Maroc Orientale. Phytocoenologia. –1992 21 (1 – 2) Pp : 117 – 174
3. Rivas-Martinez, La Végétation De La Classe Quercetea Ilicis En Espagna Y Portugal. Annales Instituto Botanico Cavanilles, 1974 ,31(2) Pp: 1495-1554.
4. Braun-Blanquet, Die Höheren Gesellschaft Seinheiten Der Vegetation Des Sudero West Mediterranen Raumes. S.I.G.M.A, 1974, 204 P.
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