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eISSN: 2083-5906
ISSN: 1230-1485
ISSN: 1230-1485
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Floristic Characterization of Steppe Grouping
of Lygeum spartum L. in the Naâma
Region (Western Algeria)
1
Laboratory for Sustainable Management of Bio-Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas,
Salhi Ahmed University Center in Naâma, Algeria
2
Research Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Dr Moulay Tahar University of Saida, Algeria
3
Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences,
University Mohamed Khider of Biskra, PO Box RP 07000 Biskra, Algeria
4
Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Management of Natural Ecosystems (University of Tlemcen), Algeria
5
Dr Tahar Moulay Saida University, Algeria
Submission date: 2025-10-08
Final revision date: 2026-02-22
Acceptance date: 2026-04-21
Online publication date: 2026-07-14
Corresponding author
Abdelkrim Benaradj
Science of Nature and Life, Institute of Sciences, Salhi Ahmed University Center, Naama, Algeria, 45000, Naama, Algeria
Science of Nature and Life, Institute of Sciences, Salhi Ahmed University Center, Naama, Algeria, 45000, Naama, Algeria
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Lygeum spartum, a steppe formation in the arid Mediterranean region, can be found in the high
Oranian steppe plains of Naâma. A spring 2020 phytoecological study was conducted on a steppe
community in the Naâma region of western Algeria. This group occupies vast steppe areas in the high
plains of Oran. This study used qualitative and quantitative floristic analysis to examine ecological
factors. This study conducted 50 phytoecological surveys to evaluate the formation’s floristic composition
and ecology. This method allows for the inventory and ecological characterization of natural vegetation
in relation to edapho-climatic conditions. The data was analyzed using Factor Correspondence Analysis.
The floristic analysis shows less than 20% vegetation cover. Quantitative analysis shows a diverse floristic
composition of 47 species from 19 families. The identified plant species mainly belong to the Poaceae
and Asteraceae families. Esparto grass accounts for 41% of the floristic composition. The biological
spectrum includes therophytes, chamaephytes, and hemicryptophytes. The biogeographical components
show 13 taxa with Mediterranean affinity. Floristic data shows three plant subgroups. (i) Lygeum
spartum and Caroxylon vermiculatum dominate these gypso-halophyte steppes. (ii) Psammophytes like
Thymelaea microphylla dominate these degraded steppes. (iii) Therophytes like Atractylis caespitosa,
Peganum harmala, and Plantago albicans characterize another type of degraded steppe. The esparto
group is ecologically versatile due to its climate and soil adaptability. This group is prominent in the
South Oranian steppes.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
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