Étude des lichens saxicoles de la steppe semi-aride de Djebel Zdimm (Nord-Est de l’Algérie)

Abstract

In the high plains of setif, calcareous rock, the main component of Djebel Zdimm, has contributed to the installation of very diverse saxicolous lichenic vegetation which is of great biological and phytogeographic interest because of its presence in a semi-arid steppe with a dry season extended for more than five months. The elaboration of a first list of lichens of Djebel Zdimm allowed us to identify 55 saxicolous species identified and reported for the first time in a steppe ecosystem, 5 of which are new to Algeria : Acarospora nitrophila H. Magn., Myriolecis invadens (H. Magn.) Śliwa, Zhao Xin et Lumbsch, Melanelia stygia (L.) Essl, Squamarina concrescens (Müll. Arg.) Poelt et Verrucaria sphaerospora Anzi. This study not only contributes to complete the lack of knowledge about the lichen flora of Algeria but also to the conservation and protection of the biological diversity of this steppe ecosystem in the face of climate change.

Keywords

• Algeria
• saxicolous lichens
• Steppe
• semi-arid bioclimat
• Djebel Zdimm