Influence of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors on Plant Formations in A Steppe Region of the Wilaya of Saida, Algeria

Abstract

In this study conducted in the steppe region of Saida, Algeria, we analyzed the relationships between biological richness and the environment at different scales and for different taxonomic groups. To do so, a multimodel inference was used to analyze the data, and power law species-area relationships were fitted using specific richness exponent as a measure of steppe biodiversity in our region.

The results showed that the biological richness in the region was intermediate compared to other similar lands in our region. The anthropic index was the most important factor for vascular plants and geophytes, with a negative relationship between specific richness and heat index. On the other hand, chamaephyte diversity depended mainly on stone and rock cover, with a positive relationship between specific richness and stone and rock cover.

The explanatory power of climate-related variables increased with increasing species size and coverage, while anthropic burning was the most important factor for richness patterns, with a positive effect on specific richness. Site coverage rates showed variation, but no significant difference in their means between temperature scales.

These results emphasize the importance of integrating scale in ecological analyses and nature conservation assessments to understand and manage biological diversity in steppe ecosystems. The results of this study may also help guide management and conservation practices in this region and other similar ecosystems around the world.