Enjeux de conservation d’une zone humide d’eau douce méditerranéenne exceptionnelle : la Garâa Sejenane (Tunisie septentrionale)

Cet article a pour but d’évaluer les enjeux de conservation concernant la végétation hydrophytique de la plus grande zone humide naturelle d’eau douce de Tunisie, la Garâa Sejenane. Les 55 relevés phytosociologiques réalisés révèlent une richesse floristique exceptionnelle, avec 74 hydrophytes dont 26 sont à forte valeur patrimoniale. Des analyses multivariées (AFC, CHA) effectuées sur ces données distinguent trois types d’habitats : des cultures inondables, des marais temporaires, et des pelouses humides/mares temporaires. Leur cartographie montre une structure en 3 zones concentriques : une ceinture externe constituée de pelouses humides, de mares temporaires et de prairies fourragères sèches, une zone intermédiaire occupée par des marais temporaires et des prairies fourragères humides, et une zone centrale formée de cultures inondables. Un Indice de Rareté des Espèces très élevé, et des espèces à fort enjeu conservatoire (1 endémique stricte à la Garâa Sejenane, 5 espèces dont elle constitue l’unique localité tunisienne, et 2 espèces dont elle abrite les plus grandes populations nord-africaines) révèlent l’intérêt écologique et conservatoire majeur du site, et ceci malgré de fortes pressions anthropiques subies depuis les années 60. Dans le contexte actuel d’augmentation de la pression de perturbation, la conservation à long terme de cette biodiversité exceptionnelle nécessite la mise en place de mesures de gestion appropriées intégrant les populations locales.This study addresses the conservation issues of the hydrophytic vegetation of Garâa Sejenane, the largest natural freshwater wetland in Tunisia. Fifty-five phytosociological relevés reveal the exceptional floristic wealth, including 74 hydrophytes of which 26 are patrimonial species. Multivariate analyses (CA, AHC) differentiate three types of habitats: flooded crops, temporary marshes, and wet lawns/temporary pools. Their mapping shows concentric zones, including an external belt of wet lawns, temporary pools and dry fodder meadows, an intermediate belt of temporary marshes and wet fodder meadows, and a central area of flood crops. A high Species Rarity Index and the occurrence of several species with high conservation values (1 strictly endemic species to the Garâa Sejenane, 5 others that exist in Tunisia only in this site, and 2 species whose local populations are the largest in North Africa) confirm the major ecological and conservatory interest of the site, despite anthropogenic pressures on the Garâa Sejenane since the sixties. In the present-day context of increasing human pressure, the long-term conservation of this exceptional biodiversity needs the implementation of targeted management measures integrating local populations

Leopoldia maritima

International audienceThis species was once thought to be distributed across northern Africa, the northern Mediterranean region in Italy and Greece, and the eastern Mediterranean region. As now understood, the species is restricted to North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, c.f. Peri 2015; Plants of the World Online Portal, Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2020). Previous records from the eastern Mediterranean (Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Egypt (Sinai)) were due to taxonomic confusion with L. bicolor, whilst records from Crete refer to L. spreitzenhoferi and those from Italy refer to L. gussonei

Ethnobotanical Study on Plant Used by Semi-Nomad Descendants’ Community in Ouled Dabbeb—Southern Tunisia

Thanks to its geographic location between two bioclimatic belts (arid and Saharan) and the ancestral nomadic roots of its inhabitants, the sector of Ouled Dabbeb (Southern Tunisia) represents a rich source of plant biodiversity and wide ranging of ethnobotanical knowledge. This work aims to (1) explore and compile the unique diversity of floristic and ethnobotanical information on different folk use of plants in this sector and (2) provide a novel insight into the degree of knowledge transmission between the current population and their semi-nomadic forefathers. Ethnobotanical interviews and vegetation inventories were undertaken during 2014–2019. Thirty informants aged from 27 to 84 were interviewed. The ethnobotanical study revealed that the local community of Ouled Dabbeb perceived the use of 70 plant species belonging to 59 genera from 31 families for therapeutic (83%), food (49%), domestic (15%), ethnoveterinary (12%), cosmetic (5%), and ritual purposes (3%). Moreover, they were knowledgeable about the toxicity of eight taxa. Nearly 73% of reported ethnospecies were freely gathered from the wild. The most commonly used plant parts were leaves (41%) followed by flowers and inflorescence (16%). We reported the use and collection of non-renewable parts (underground storage organs and roots) for 20 ethnospecies. Interestingly, a comparison with the available literature in Tunisia and neighboring countries reveals 13 new useful plants as well as 17 plants with new uses and demonstrates an important reservoir of traditional ethnobotanical heritage that is still sustained by respondents stemming from the semi-nomadic lifestyle of their ancestors (74% of cited taxa). These data could set a basis for further phytochemical and pharmacological research and conservative approach of the most relevant plant species including endemic overused and endangered taxa

Effects of cold-storage facility characteristics on the virulence and sporulation of Penicillium expansum and the efficacy of essential oils against blue mold rot of apples

Blue mold rot, caused by Penicillium expansum, is one of the most economically important post-harvest diseases of apple worldwide. The goals of this study were threefold: to evaluate the diversity of P. expansum isolates for mycelial growth, spore production and lesion diameter on apples; to estimate the effects of cold-storage facility conditions on P. expansum population structure; and to investigate the efficacy of three essential oils against P. expansum. The results showed that storage facilities applying fungicides and storing diverse fruit species selected for P. expansum isolates with a larger lesion diameter on apples. In addition, application of fungicides and diversification in stored fruit species significantly select for P. expansum isolates with higher levels of mycelial growth and spore production, respectively. Moreover, the diversity of host species of stored fruit accounted for 38% of the variability observed between storage facilities for the measured fitness parameters in P. expansum isolates and had a stronger effect on P. expansum population structure than fungicide treatment. Essential oils from Mentha pulegium and Syzygium aromaticum significantly decreased mycelial growth and spore production of P. expansum isolates in vitro. Mentha pulegium essential oil also significantly decreased the size of lesions associated with the blue mold rot of apples. Reducing the diversity of stored host species and applying M. pulegium essential oil may be useful in counter-selecting for aggressive P. expansum isolates and reducing losses due to blue mold rot during fruit storage

History and conservation of Tunisia's largest freshwater wetland: Garâa Sejenane

International audienceThe Garâa Sejenane is an ancient lake in northern Tunisia that currently houses a mosaic of temporary wetlands. Comparison of modern pollen data and field vegetation surveys shows both a weak regional pollen signal and the homogenization of pollen assemblages at the scale of the garâa. Despite a hiatus between 19,000 and 2230 cal. BP, fossil pollen analyses provide the first Tunisian LGM record and attest to the ancient origin of the lake, which housed some taxa still present locally in the 1950s. The originality of the Pleniglacial surrounding landscape dominated by a juniper steppe contrasted with the mountain conifer forests in Kroumiria. Lastly, analyses of aerial photographs (1948, 1962, 1984), recent satellite photographs and previous botanical descriptions reveal that the lake has been drying since 1960 because of important anthropogenic activities (drainage, groundwater pumping, cultivation, grazing…). These disturbances have generated profound changes in hydrophytic plant communities (fragmentation, diversity loss, introduction of invasive species…) that are likely to threaten their long-term survival

Rumex tunetanus (Polygonaceae): rediscovery of an endangered Tunisian endemic

International audienceRumex tunetanus is a strictly endemic species occurring on the banks of the dried lake of Sejenane (NW-Tunisia) which was discovered in 1888 (published in 1899), but never seen until our rediscovery in 2009. This finding allowed us to give a more complete morphological description of the species, as well as to specify its ecological preferences and conservation status. A lectotype preserved at P was designated for the name Rumex tunetanus

Conservation issues of an exceptional freshwater Mediterranean wetland in Northwest Tunisia: Garâa Sejenane.

International audienceThisstudy addressesthe conservation issues ofthe hydrophytic vegetation of Garâa Sejenane,the largest natural freshwater wetland in Tunisia.Fifty-five phytosociological relevés revealthe exceptional floristic wealth, including74 hydrophytes ofwhich26are patrimonialspecies.Multivariate analyses(CA, AHC) differentiatethree types of habitats: floodedcrops, temporary marshes, and wet lawns/temporary pools. Their mapping showsconcentric zones, includinganexternal beltof wet lawns, temporary pools and dry fodder meadows, an intermediate belt of temporary marshes and wet foddermeadows,and a central area offlood crops. A high Species Rarity Index and the occurrence of several species with high conservationvalues(1 strictly endemic species to the Garâa Sejenane, 5 others that exist in Tunisia only in this site,and 2 species whoselocal populations are thelargestin NorthAfrica) confirm the major ecological and conservatory interest of the site, despite anthropogenic pressures on the Garâa Sejenane since the sixties. In the present-day context of increasing human pressure, the long-term conservation of this exceptional biodiversity needsthe implementation of targetedmanagement measures integrating local populationsEnjeux de conservation d’une zone humide d’eau douce méditerranéenne exceptionnelle: la Garâa Sejenane (Tunisie septentrionale).—Cet article a pour but d’évaluer les enjeux de conservation concernant la végétation hydrophytique de la plus grande zone humide naturelle d’eau douce de Tunisie, la Garâa Sejenane. Les 55 relevés phytosociologiques réalisés révèlent une richesse floristique exceptionnelle, avec 74 hydrophytes dont 26 sont à forte valeur patrimoniale. Des analyses multivariées (AFC, CHA) effectuées sur ces données distinguent trois types d’habitats: des cultures inondables, des marais temporaires, et des pelouses humides/mares temporaires. Leur cartographie montre une structure en 3 zones concentriques: une ceinture externe constituée de pelouses humides, de mares temporaires et de prairies fourragères sèches, une zone intermédiaire occupée par des marais temporaires et des prairies fourragères humides, et une zone centrale formée de cultures inondables. Un Indice de Rareté des Espèces très élevé, et des espèces à fort enjeu conservatoire (1 endémique stricte à la Garâa Sejenane, 5 espèces dont elle constitue l’unique localité tunisienne, et 2 espèces dont elle abrite les plus grandes populations nord-africaines) révèlent l’intérêt écologique et conservatoire majeur du site, et ceci malgré de fortes pressions anthropiques subies depuis les années 60. Dans le contexte actuel d’augmentation de la pression de perturbation, la conservation à long terme de cette biodiversité exceptionnelle nécessite la mise en place de mesures de gestion appropriées intégrant les populations locale

Spatio-temporal variability of faunal and floral assemblages in Mediterranean temporary wetlands.

International audienceSix temporary wetlands in the region of Sejenane (Mogods, NW Tunisia) were studied in order to characterize the aquatic flora and fauna and to quantify their spatio-temporal variability. Samplings of aquatic fauna, phytosociological relevés, and measurements of the physicochemical parameters of water were taken during four different field visits carried out during the four seasons of the year (November 2009-July 2010). Despite the strong anthropic pressures on them, these temporary wetlands are home to rich and diversified biodiversity, including rare and endangered species. Spatial and temporal variations affect fauna and flora differently, as temporal variability influences the fauna rather more than the plants, which are relatively more dependent on spatial factors. These results demonstrate the interest of small water bodies for maintaining biodiversity at the regional level, and thus underscore the conservation issues of Mediterranean temporary wetlands that are declining on an ongoing basis currently

Medicinal-Cosmetic Potential of the Local Endemic Plants of Crete (Greece), Northern Morocco and Tunisia: Priorities for Conservation and Sustainable Exploitation of Neglected and Underutilized Phytogenetic Resources

Medicinal-aromatic plants (MAPs) are important sources for the development of new valuable products of interest to human and animal health, and are also used as ornamentals for the horticulture industry. However, the increased global demand and the uncontrolled exploitation of these plants constitute a threat to their sustainability. To date, few scientific investigations have focused on MAPs valorization and their domestication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate for the first time the medicinal-cosmetic potential of 399 local endemic Mediterranean plants confined to Crete (223 taxa), the Mediterranean coast-Rif of Morocco (94), and Tunisia (82). The new methodological scheme was developed by experts through three multidisciplinary co-creative workshops and was adjusted by end-users to point-scoring of nine attributes evaluating the potential of the targeted neglected and underutilized plants (NUPs) in the medicinal-cosmetic sector. The results were demonstrated as percentage of the maximum possible score. These assessments were further linked and discussed with respect to feasibility and readiness timescale evaluations for sustainable exploitation of the focal NUPs. A great diversity of local endemic NUPs (30 taxa, 11 families) were associated with interesting medicinal-cosmetic properties (>35% up to 94.44%). Among them, 8 taxa showed the highest medicinal-cosmetic potential (>55% of maximum possible score), half of which are threatened with extinction. Although ex-situ conservation efforts and applied research work are needed to safeguard and unlock the full potential of the local endemic NUPs evaluated herein, the proposed multifaceted evaluation scheme revealed that some local endemic NUPs of the studied regions can be sustainably exploited in short- or medium-term, following successful examples of Cretan NUPs e.g., Origanum dictramnus. The sustainable exploitation of high scored taxa of the studied regions can be fastened through targeted species-specific research bridging extant research gaps and facilitating conservation and stakeholder attraction

DNA Barcoding, GIS-Facilitated Seed Germination and Pilot Cultivation of Teucrium luteum subsp. gabesianum (Lamiaceae), a Tunisian Local Endemic with Potential Medicinal and Ornamental Value

In the context of plant conservation and sustainable use of unique neglected and underutilized phytogenetic resources, this study focused on the Tunisian local endemic Teucrium luteum subsp. gabesianum (Lamiaceae). Using Geographical Information Systems and online databases, detailed taxon-specific ecological profiling was produced for the first time, which illustrated the temperature and climate conditions in its wild habitats and facilitated the investigation of how temperature affects its seed germination, thus making its cultivation in anthropogenic environments possible. Following the seed propagation first reported herein (77.5–81.25% at temperatures between 15 and 25 °C), species-specific in situ and ex situ conservation efforts or sustainable exploitation strategies can be enabled. This study also reported for the first time how chemical and integrated nutrient management (INM) fertilizers affect the growth and pilot cultivation of its seedlings (INM more advantageous). The firstly-reported herein DNA barcoding may enable its traceability, allowing future product design. The multidisciplinary approach followed has paved the way to bridge important research gaps hindering conservation efforts and/or the sustainable exploitation of this local Tunisian endemic plant to date. Based on the aforementioned results, the feasibility and readiness timescale for its sustainable exploitation was overviewed and re-evaluated herein, upgrading (>two-fold) its potential value for the medicinal-cosmetic, agro-alimentary, and ornamental-horticultural sectors