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Growth establishment and phenology of four woody S aharan species
Author(s) -
Derbel Salma,
Chaieb Mohamed
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/aje.12036
Subject(s) - seedling , phenology , biology , context (archaeology) , rangeland , horticulture , botany , ecology , paleontology
H enophyton deserti , C alligonum polygonoides , E phedra alata and A nthyllis henoniana may be suitable S aharan species for the rehabilitation of degraded lands. In this context, the phenology, excavation of root systems and seedling establishment of these species were investigated in the southern Tunisia. Our data suggest that phenological differences between the studied species may depend on the rooting depth. The mean seedling emergence rate was 73% in H . deserti , 66% in A . henoniana , 60% in C . polygonoides and 50% in E . alata . Statistical analyses of seedling establishment showed a highly significant difference among the four species in both seasons ( F = 1595.15, P < 0.0001), species ( F = 781.57, P < 0.0001) and species/season interaction ( F = 61.84, P < 0.0001). After 3 years, seedling mortality ranged from 73% to 89%. Seedling mortality reached a maximum in the summer of the first year of study ( P < 0.001). This study provided further understanding of the ecological tolerance, adaptive strategy and the low density of these species in nature. H enophyton deserti appears to be better adapted to the harsh desert environment. These findings explain the very high density observed in the S ahara compared with other studied species. This species has therefore proven to be an excellent candidate for the ecological restoration of degraded desert rangelands and can be introduced successfully in to rehabilitation programmes.