Author(s)

Hassiba Stambouli-Meziane, Mohamed Bouazza

Laboratory of Ecology and Natural Ecosystems Management, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria.

The present work is devoted to the study of broad physiological and ecological characteris- tics of anthropophytic species on the high step- pe lands of the Tlemcen region. The bioclimatic analysis confirms the development of drought in this region with a dominance of spiny and/or toxic asylvatic: plant species of shrub and her- baceous size species. We used correspondence factor analysis (CFA) of the various factors causing degradation to better understand the complexity of this ecosystem, whose floristic composition was complemented by means of soil measurements (spectrum green/ecological spectrum). This analysis allowed us to identify five groups of anthropophytic species with in this highly degraded matorral. We show that this ecosystem is already showing symptoms of de-gradation, and propose a preservation policy for protecting ensuring the survival of native species under threat from human activities.

Anthropophytic; Ascending Hierarchical Clustering; Correspondence Factor Analysis; Matorral; Phytosociology; Tlemcen Region

Stambouli-Meziane, H. and Bouazza, M. (2012) Anthropogenic effects on plant cover in the Tlemcen region (western Algeria). Open Journal of Ecology, 2, 141-146. doi: 10.4236/oje.2012.23017.