Impact of rest duration and land tenure on plant species density (Annual and perennial species) of degraded rangelands in Tunisia
2019
Louhaichi, Mounir | Gamoun, Mouldi | Ben Salem, Farah | Belfekih, Ezzeddine | Ghouhis, Fethi | Sawsan Hassan (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA) | Pietro Bartolini (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA) | International Livestock Research Institute - ILRI | Barbara Rischkowsky (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA) | Mounir Louhaichi (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA) | Sara Jani (CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems - DS) | Aymen Frija (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA) | Dina Najjar (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA) | Azaiez Ouled Belgacem (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA) | Francesco Bonechi (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas - ICARDA)
To investigated changes in the spatial and temporal patterns of community structure and rangeland function in response to the period of rest. A total of 20 sites in southern Tunisia (Tataouine) covering more than 15000 ha including 12 private rangelands and 4 communal subjected to grazing management, in addition to 4 freely grazed site which considered as control were retained for detailed monitoring-assessment study. This data could be one of the tools to examine the impact and potential of traditional best practices for rangeland restoration on regeneration and the persistence of plant species by monitoring the evolution of specific characters (global plant cover, specific frequencies, flora richness and the plant density, biomass, rangeland production and carrying capacity). The state of the soil surface (wind veil, crust, stones, litter) is also studied to monitor and assess changes of soil structure. Annual plant species density is measured in each site by counting species individuals inside randomly established 9 quadrats with 1m2 area each (3 quadrats per line x 3). However, the density of perennial plants consisted of counting the number of each species tuft within 5 quadrats of 1 m2 area each.
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