Structure et dynamique de l’avifaune des milieux steppiques présahariens et phoenicicoles des Ziban

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the structure and functioning of the avian population of the region Ziban and pre-Saharan areas. We applied several sampling methods (IPA EFP, IKA, exhaustive Counting, and presence index) depending on the medium and avifaunistic category. Sampling stations include a representative mosaic of emblematic habitats and ecosystems of Ziban: 09 palm plantations, 08 steppe formations and 08 steppe tree shrub formations. We have 340 point counts for IPA and 170 EFP to conduct an ecological analysis and mapping approach through the GIS. We have compiled a list of 136 species representing 19 orders and 49 families. We counted 62 breeding species, divided into 47 sedentary, 14 breeding migratory and one specie breeding occasionally). Steppe tree formations have a higher richness, with a maximum of 34 species at tamarix formation, 33 species in shrub formation of Ain Zatout; 28 species in the Dayas, between 29 and 16 species in the palm plantations. The Average richness is higher in the tree formations with 7,75 species in the Dayas, 7,7 species in the Tamarix formation. However, in the steppe formations, a maximum value of 4,3 species in the halophyte steppe and Haloxylon articulatum steppe. The values of diversity of birds of different stations are high in the tree formations and palm plantation. The hybrid sparrow is the most abundant species in the palm plantations with an average of relative abundance 34.62 % (± 5.77). This specie is still dominant in the riparian Tamarix formations of Ourlal (57.22 %), and Tamarix formation of Saada (19,4 %). In the Dayas the Galerida cristata is the most abundant specie (12,46%), and also dominant in the pre-Saharan steppe of Besbès (41,22%), halophytes steppe of Selgua (35,14%) and psammophytes steppes of Ain Ben Noui(36,56%). While in the formations related to the reliefs of the region of Ziban, Galerida theklae is the most abundant specie with 34,79 % in the steppes Alfa tenassissima of El Kantara, and with 12,61% in the shrub formation of Ain Zatout. The Topographic factor seems to be the cause of a probable demarcation line between firstly; the typical steppe species acclimated to land with little slope, low vegetation and very low recoveries. Secondly; the bird species of cliffs rock in the northern Ziban; which is the limit of the high plateau and the pre-Saharan plateau; with species, whose mode of feeding and breeding is adapted to life in the rubble. The second factor concerns the complexity of the vegetation, with on one side, the steppe land birds, which oppose the arboreal species of palm plantations and tree formations.