标题：Seasonal variation of some structural attributes of the Matmata Mountains ecosystems in southern Tunisia under the effect of drought and anthropozoic action
期刊名称：Science et changements planétaires / Sécheresse
印刷版ISSN：1147-7806
电子版ISSN：1777-5922
出版年度：2009
卷号：20
期号：2
页码：204-209
DOI：10.1684/sec.2009.0184
出版社：John Libbey Eurotext
摘要：Figures See all figures Authors Farah Ben Salem , Mohamed Tarhouni , Azaiez Ouled Belgacem , Mohamed Neffati Institut des régions arides (IRA) Laboratoire d’écologie pastorale 4119 Médenine Tunisie Key words: desertification, disturbance, drought, ecosystems, southern Tunisia, structural attributes DOI : 10.1684/sec.2009.0184 Page(s) : 204-9 Published in: 2009 In southern Tunisia, over the past few decades desertification has become the main environmental problem. The steppes of this region, subjected to severe and irrational exploitation for a long period in addition to climate and soil aridity, are highly degraded. This study aims at quantifying the effects of drought and topography on the natural plant cover of the Matmata Mountains in southern Tunisia. Some structural attributes have been assessed in order to describe the evolution of plant communities under these constraints. The main results show that relationships between soil, climate conditions and plant cover are strongly influenced by topography and human activities. the gypsum substratum shows a better resistance to arid conditions than the calcareous one. The Northern exposition manifests the best resilience in confronting these ecosystems.
