Syntaxonomic synopsis of the forest and tall scrub vegetation of Northern Algeria

37 Pages·2017·2.71 MB·English

ARTICLES
Lazaroa
ISSN-e 1988-3307
http://dx.doi.org/10.5209/LAZA.53272
Syntaxonomic synopsis of the forest and tall scrub vegetation of Northern
Algeria
Rachid Meddour1, Ouahiba Meddour-Sahar1, Lamri Zeraia2 & Ladislav Mucina3,4
Received: 29 July 2016 / Accepted: 16 October 2017
Abstract. This paper presents the first syntaxonomic conspectus of the forest and scrub communities of Northern
Algeria. The communities belong mainly to the zonal classes such as the Quercetea ilicis, Quercetea pubescentis and
Junipero-Pinetea sylvestris (new to Algeria). The Cytisetea scopario-striati and Nerio-Tamaricetea are considered
intrazonal within the Mediterranean zone, while the Crataego-Prunetea considered intrazonal within the Temperate
zone. The azonal vegetation is represented by four classes: Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae, Salicetea purpureae,
Alnetea glutinosae, and Franguletea (the latter being recognised in Algeria for the first time). We attempted to include
all known syntaxa as featured in both regular and grey literature; many of those still await effective publication or
formal validation. The paper also presents formal descriptions (and/or validations) of one new order, 12 new alliances,
and 15 new associations.
Keywords: Algeria, forest vegetation, scrub vegetation, phytosociology, syntaxonomy.
[es] Sinopsis sintaxonómica de los bosques y matorrales de alta talla de la vegetación del
norte de Argelia
Resumen. Este trabajo presenta el primer esquema sintaxonómico de las comunidades forestales y de matorrales de alta
talla del norte de Argelia. Las comunidades pertenecen principalmente a las clases zonales Quercetea ilicis, Quercetea
pubescentis y Junipero-Pinetea sylvestris (nuevas en Argelia). Cytisetea scopario-striati y Nerio-Tamaricetea se
consideran intrazonales dentro de la zona mediterránea, y Crataego-Prunetea intrazonal dentro de la zona templada. La
vegetación azonal está representada por cuatro clases: Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae, Salicetea purpureae, Alnetea
glutinosae y Franguletea (esta última se reconoce en Argelia por primera vez). Intentamos incluir toda la sintaxis
conocida en publicaciones válidas e inéditas; por ello, muchos nombres todavía esperan una publicación efectiva o una
validación formal. El documento también presenta descripciones formales (y / o validaciones) de un nuevo orden, 12
nuevas alianzas y 15 nuevas asociaciones.
Palabras clave: Argelia; vegetación forestal; vegetación arbustiva; fitosociología; sintaxonomía.
Introduction Tellian and Saharan Atlas in Northern Algeria.
The elevational span of the forest occurrence
Algerian forests cover about 4.11 million of is broad and covering all belts between the
hectares that represents only 1.76% for the en- thermomediterranean and the oromediterrane-
tire national territory, and 16.4% for its north- an altitudes (sensu Quézel & Médail, 2003a).
ern regions (Djema & Messaoudène, 2009). Phytosociological studies in Algeria date
These forests are limited to humid, subhumid back to the 1950s. The syntaxonomy of forest
and semi-arid bioclimatic zones, and are most- (and tall scrub) vegetation types, such as forest,
ly distributed in the mountainous regions of scrub and macchia, was earlier studied by for-
1 Faculté des Sciences Biologiques et Agronomiques, Université Mouloud Mammeri, B.P. 17 R.P., 15000, Tizi Ouzou, Algérie.
Email: [email protected]
2 9 rue des communautés, F-34080 Montpellier, France.
3 Iluka Chair in Vegetation Science & Biogeography, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35
Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009, Perth, Australia.
4 Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch,
South Africa.
Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163 127
128 Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163
eign researchers (e.g. Quézel, 1956; Zaffran, summarise the major source of the phytosocio-
1960; Nègre, 1964). Although these authors logical data to assist such revisions.
have described many syntaxonomic units, the
general syntaxonomic framework as used in
North Africa, and in Algeria in particular, re- Material and methods
lies heavily on studies of the Western Mediter-
ranean vegetation (e.g. Loisel, 1971; Barbero We conducted a detailed bibliographic research
et al., 1974, 1981; Barbero & Quézel, 1975; on published studies (about 50 published pa-
Rivas-Martínez, 1975; Rivas-Martínez & Ri- pers and 40 unpublished theses) describing Al-
vas Goday, 1975; Quézel & Barbero, 1981, gerian forest vegetation.
1986, 1989; Rivas-Martínez et al., 1986, 1999, In this synopsis, we list all forest and
2001, 2002, 2011; de Foucault et al., 2012). scrub-dominated vegetation types (syntaxa)
Despite the obvious important ecological described by Braun-Blanquet approach in
services and conservation value, the focused Algeria in the course of the past 60 years
attention, the forest and scrub vegetation of (1956‒2016). Only the syntaxa documented
Algeria has been receiving only since the 80th by phytosociological relevés are considered
of the past century, especially by researchers here.
using the Braun-Blanquet (1964) approach. Intentionally, we are not covering number
These studies accumulated valuable phytoso- of published subassociations and suballianc-
ciological data on almost all forest vegetation es since their syntaxonomic value still should
types, such as sclerophyllous evergreen for- clarified. At this stage, we refrain from no-
ests, deciduous broadleaved forests, coniferous menclatural and syntaxonomic revision of the
forests, and riparian forests (Guinochet, 1980; association (and subassociations). This criti-
Zeraia, 1981; Abdessemed, 1981; Dahmani, cal revision will be attempted elsewhere. We
1984, 1997; Bensettiti, 1985, 1995; Toubal, provide (presumably) correct name for each
1986; Aimé et al., 1986; Khelifi, 1987, 2008; syntaxon, synonyms as known from the Al-
Sadki, 1988; Hadjadj-Aoul, 1988, 1995; Wo- gerian literature, lists of author(s) who have
jterski, 1988; Quézel & Barbero, 1989; Géhu studied the given syntaxon in Algeria, and all
et al., 1992, 1994a, 1994b; Meddour, 1993, other related references that include pertinent
1994a, 1994b, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2010; Yahi, phytosociological relevés. We refer to Med-
1995, 2007; Géhu & Sadki, 1996; Bensettiti & dour (2010) for the synecological descrip-
Lacoste, 1999; Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel, 1999; tions, distribution, and diagnostic species
Laribi, 2000; Gharzouli, 1989, 2007; Dahma- lists for each association. The concepts and
ni-Megrerouche & Loisel, 2003; Laribi et al., nomenclature of the classes and most of the
2008; Meddour et al., 2010; Siab-Farsi et al., follows Mucina et al. (2016) and we applied
2014). the naming rules of the ICPN (Weber et al.,
The first syntaxonomic synopsis of the for- 2000) to other high-rank syntaxa not covered
est and scrub plant communities of Algeria by the European vegetation system (Mucina
presented 6 classes, 8 orders, 22 alliances and et al., 2016). In synonymy of some associ-
70 associations and/or rank-less plant commu- ations we also cite the article of the ICPN,
nities (Meddour & Géhu, 1998). A synthesis of according to which the synonym is deemed
the forest communities by Djebaïli (1994) list- invalid or illegitimate. Some syntaxonomic
ed only 20 associations, belonging to 2 classes, and nomenclatural concepts of the orders and
2 orders and 5 alliances. Later, Dahmani-Me- alliances, as currently used in Algerian phyto-
grerouche et al. (2014) summarised the syn- sociological literature, are however still sub-
taxonomy of forest vegetation in Algeria into ject to future revisions.
merely 2 classes, 3 orders, 10 alliances and 28
associations.
In this paper, we present a synopsis of the Results
Northern Algerian forest and scrub syntaxa
described according to the Braun-Blanquet ap- We list 129 associations (including 15 rank-
proach. The aim of this conspectus is formula- less plant communities) classified into 10
tion of a backbone of syntaxonomic system of classes, 12 orders (1 new), and 34 alliances
this vegetation that would serve syntaxonomic (12 new). Two orders and 18 alliances (marked
and nomenclatural revisions in future. We also with an asterisk) are endemic to North Africa.
Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163 129
SYNTAXONOMIC SURVEY OF CLASSES ‘Pino halepensis-Quercetea ilicis (Br.-Bl. 1947)
de Fouc. et Julve 1991’
The classification of the classes within the ‘Quercetalia rotundifolio-ilicis de Fouc. et Julve
zonal-intrazonal-azonal system follows Muci- 1991’
na et al. (2016). ‘Querco rotundifoliae-Cedrion atlanticae all.
nov.’
Zonal mediterranean woodlands and scrub ‘Querco rotundifoliae-Cedretum atlanticae
(Barbero et al. 1981) nov.’
Quercetea ilicis Braun-Blanquet ex A. de Bolòs ‘Aceri monspessulani-Cedretum atlanticae (Br.-
& O. de Bolòs inA . Bolòs y Vayreda 1950 Bl. et Maire 1924) nov.’
‘Aceri granatense-Abietetum maroccanae
Zonal submediterranean woodlands and scrub (Barbero et al.) nov.’
‘Quercion rotundifolio-suberis (Barbero et al.
Junipero-Pinetea sylvestris Rivas-Martínez
1981) all. nov.’
1965 nom. invers. propos.
‘Pino halepensis-Tetraclinetalia articulatae
Quercetea pubescentis Doing-Kraft ex Scamoni
ord. nov. prov.’
& Passarge 1959
‘Tetraclinion articulatae all. nov.’
Since all are synusial units of vegetation of
Intrazonal Mediterranean woodlands and
vascular plants, and these are not subject to the
scrub
ICPN (Definition I, art. 3d), and therefore not
considered here either as candidates for valid
Cytisetea scopario-striati Rivas-Martínez 1974
names or synonyms.
Nerio-Tamaricetea Braun-Blanquet & O. de
Bolòs 1958
Quercetalia ilicis Braun-Blanquet ex Mo-
linier 1934
Intrazonal Temperate woodlands and scrub
Evergreen and semi-deciduous thermo-to su-
pramediterranean oak and relict laurel forests
Crataego-Prunetea Tüxen 1962 nom. conserv.
of the Central and Western Mediterranean
propos.
• Quercetalia atlanticae Bensettiti & La-
coste 1999 nom. inval. (Art. 8)
Azonal temperate woodlands and scrub
Oleo sylvestris-Quercion rotundifoliae
Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae P. Fukarek &
Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez in
Fabijanić 1968
Rivas-Martínez, Costa & Izco 1986
Salicetea purpureae Moor 1958
nom. invers. propos.
Alnetea glutinosae Braun-Blanquet & Tüxen
Thermo-mediterranean evergreen oak
ex Westhoff, Dijk & Passchier 1946
forests on deep soils in subhumid and
Franguletea Doing ex Westhoff in Westhoff &
humid regions of the Iberian Peninsula
Den Held 1969
and North Africa
Typus: Myrto communis-Quercetum suberis
ANNOTATED SYNTAXONOMIC SYSTEM
Barbero, Benabid, Quézel & Rivas-
Martínez in Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-
Quercetea ilicis Braun-Blanquet ex A. de Bolòs Martínez 1981 (Barbero et al., 1981: 319,
& O. de Bolòs inA . Bolòs y Vayreda 1950 Table 3, rel. 2)
Thermo-mesomediterranean pine and oak forests • Oleo sylvestris-Quercion rotundifolio-
and associated macchia of the Mediterranean suberis Barbero, Quézel & Ri-
• Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetea alaterni Julve vas-Martínez 1981 nom. inval. (Art. 5)
1992 (phantom) • ‘Querco rotundifoliae-Oleion sylvestris’
• Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetea alaterni Julve Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez in Ri-
1993 (syntax. syn.) vas-Martínez, Costa & Izco 1986 (orig. form)
Syntaxonomic and nomenclatural notes: De • non Quercion suberis Loisel 1971
Foucault (1993) have ‘described’ a series of Myrto communis-Quercetum suberis Bar-
‘Les synusies arborescentes’ under the follow- bero, Benabid, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez in
ing names: Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez 1981
130 Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163
Nomenclatural and syntaxonomic notes: • Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis Braun-
Barbero et al. (1981), similarly as with Blanquet 1953 nom. mut. propos.
many other new associations in their pa- Nomenclatural note: In the original
per, have placed an asterisk next to the diagnosis, Cytisus triflorus is the only
number of a relevé in the header of the Cytisus species listed. Serra et al. (2002)
table. (In case of the Myrto-Quercetum have changed the name using Cytisus
suberis, the relevé 2 in Tab. 3 in Barbero villosus as the eponymous. However,
et al., 1981 carry an asterisk.) This sym- this ‘correction’ has not been explicitly
bol has been used in cases to designate performed in accordance with the ICPN .
‘type’ relevé of a new syntaxon in fran- Lit.: Quézel (1956), Zeraia (1981),
cophone phytosociological literature in Dahmani (1984), Toubal (1986),
the past and therefore we suggest recog- Khelifi (1987), Sadki (1988), Wojter-
nising it as an acceptable indication of ski (1988, 1990), Salamani (1990),
the type relevé, rendering the new syn-
Khelifi & Sadki (1995), Toubal & Tou-
taxa validly published.
bal (1996b), Meddour (2002, 2010),
Lit.: Zeraia (1981), Toubal (1986), Wo-
Iboukassene (2008), Meddour et al.
jterski (1988), Toubal & Toubal (1996b),
(2010). Figure 2B.
Meddour (2002).
Festuco triflorae-Quercetum suberis
Smilaco mauritanicae-Quercetum
Meddour 2010 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
rotundifoliae Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-
Lit.: Meddour (2010).
Martínez 1981
• ‘Smilaci mauritanicae-Quercetum
Pistacio lentisci-Quercetum suberis
rotundifoliae’ Barbero, Quézel & Ri-
Khelifi & Sadki 1995 nom. inval. (Art. 5)
vas-Martínez 1981 (orig. form)
• Pistacio lentisci-Quercetum suberis
Lit.: Zeraia (1981), Wojterski (1988).
Khelifi 1987 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
• ‘Forêt de chêne liège à lentisque’ (De-
Pistacio terebinthi-Quercetum rotundi-
bazac, 1959)
foliae Dahmani-Megrerouche & Loisel
Lit.: Debazac (1959), Toubal (1986),
2003 nom. inval. (Art. 5)
Khelifi (1987), Khelifi & Sadki (1995),
• Pistacio terebinthi-Quercetum rotun-
Meddour (1994a, 2002).
difoliae Dahmani-Megrerouche 1996
nom. inval. (Art. 2b)
Telino linifoliae-Quercetum suberis Ze-
Lit.: Dahmani-Megrerouche (1996a, 1996b,
raia 1981 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
1997), Dahmani-Megrerouche & Loisel
Syntaxonomic note: This association,
(2003).
recognized in Morocco (Maâmora
forest), has been linked to the ‘Querco-
Pistacio lentisci-Quercetum rotundi-
Oleion sylvestris’ (Barbero et al., 1981;
foliae Dahmani-Megrerouche & Loisel
Benabid & Fennane, 1994; Benabid,
2003 nom. inval. (Art. 5)
2000; Fennane, 2003; Aafi, 2007). It is
• Pistacio lentisci-Quercetum rotun-
reminiscent of the xero-thermophilous
difoliae Dahmani-Megrerouche 1996
nom. inval. (Art. 2b) cork-oak forest on siliceous substrates of
Lit.: Dahmani-Megrerouche (1996a, Provence (Querco suberis-Genistetum
1996b, 1997), Brakchi (1998), Dahma- linifoliae Loisel 1971), and formerly
ni-Megrerouche & Loisel (2003), Lem- classified in Algeria as part of the
ouissi (2014) Quercion suberis (Loisel, 1976).
Lit.: Zeraia (1981).
Cytiso triflori-Quercetum suberis
Braun-Blanquet 1953 Genisto numidicae-Quercetum suberis
• ‘Cytiseto-Quercetum suberis’ Braun- Toubal 1998
Blanquet 1953 (orig. form) • Erico scopariae-Quercetum suberis
• Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis Braun- Khelifi 1987 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
Blanquet 1953 corr. Serra, Loddo & Lit.: Khelifi (1987), Khelifi & Sadki
Bacchetta 2002 (corr. illeg.) (1995), Toubal (1998).
Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163 131
Lonicero implexae-Quercion cocciferae all. Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999).
nova hoc loco*
Thermo-mediterranean kermes oak and forests Tamo communis-Quercetum cocciferae
on deep soils in subhumid regions of Western Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999
Algeria Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999).
Holotypus (hoc loco): Lonicero implexae-Quercetum
Tetraclino articulatae-Phillyreetum latifoliae
cocciferae Nègre 1964 (Nègre, 1964: 30, Table
Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999
7)
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999), Med-
Diagnostic taxa: Lonicera implexa, Osyris
jahdi (2010).
quadripartita, Phillyrea latifolia, Prasium majus,
Quercus coccifera
Balansaeo glaberrimae-Quercion rotundifoliae
Syntaxonomic note: This new is based on the
Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez ex Rivas-
concept of invalidly published suballiance
Martínez et al. 2011*
Oleo sylvestris-Quercenion cocciferae Had-
Meso-supramediterranean evergreen oak fo-
jadj-Aoul & Loisel 2010 nom. inval. (Art. 5).
rests on deep soils, calcareous and decarbona-
ted soils of North Africa
Lonicero implexae-Quercetum cocciferae
• Balansaeo glaberrimae-Quercion rotundifoliae
Nègre 1964
Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez 1981 nom.
Lit.: Nègre (1964), Baumgartner (1966),
inval. (Art. 5)
Wojterski (1988, 1990), Hadjadj-Aoul &
Loisel (1999), Rebbas et al. (2011). Balansaeo glaberrimae-Quercetum ro-
tundifoliae Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-Mar-
Phillyreo latifoliae-Quercetum cocciferae tínez 1981
Quézel, Barbero, Benabid, Loisel & Rivas- • Lino numidici-Teucrietum kabylici Gharzou-
Martínez 1988 li 1989 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
• ‘Prasio-Oleetum’ O. de Bolòs in O. de Lit.: Gharzouli (1989), Dahmani-Megre-
Bolòs & Molinier 1969 (phantom; in Gui- rouche (1996a, 1996b, 1997), Dahmani-
nochet 1980) Megrerouche & Loisel (2003), Meddour
Lit.: Guinochet (1980), Hadjadj-Aoul (2010), Meddour et al. (2010). Figure 1A.
(1988, 1993), Hadjadj (1991), Meddour
(2002). Phlomido bovei-Quercetum rotundifo-
liae Zeraia in Meddour 2002 nom. inval.
Oleo sylvestris-Tetraclinetum articulatae (Art. 2b)
Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999 • Phlomido bovei-Quercetum rotundifoliae
• non Oleo salicifoliae-Tetraclinetum Zeraia 1981 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
articulatae Fennane 1988 nom. inval. (Art. 5) Lit.: Zeraia (1981), Meddour (1994a, 2002).
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999). Figure 2A.
Cytiso villosi-Quercetum rotundifoliae
Rusco hypophylli-Tetraclinetum articulatae
Dahmani-Megrerouche & Loisel 2003 nom.
Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999
inval. (Art. 5)
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999).
• Cytiso triflori-Quercetum rotundifoliae
Meddour 1994 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
Osyrido quadripartitae-Quercetum cocci-
• Cytiso-Quercetum Dahmani-Megrerou-
ferae Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999
che 1996 nom. inval. (Art. 2b)
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999).
Lit.: Wojterski (1988), Meddour (1994a, 2002,
2010), Dahmani-Megrerouche (1996a, 1996b,
Junipero oxycedri-Quercetum cocciferae
1997), Dahmani-Megrerouche & Loisel
Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999 nom. illeg.
(2003), Meddour et al. (2010), Lemouissi
(Art. 31)
(2014).
• non Junipero oxycedri-Quercetum cocciferae
(Braun-Blanquet 1924) de Foucault & Julve
Festuco triflorae-Quercetum rotundifo-
1991
liae Dahmani-Megrerouche 1996 nom. in-
• non Junipero oxycedri-Quercetum cocciferae
val. (Art. 2b)
Sánchez García, Sánchez Gullón, Linares
• Festuco triflorae-Quercetum rotundifoliae
Perea & Galán de Mera 2014
Dahmani 1984 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
132 Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163
Lit.: Dahmani (1984, 1994), Dahmani- ten differing only in the absence or presence, or
Megrerouche (1996a, 1996b, 1997). even merely dominance, of one or a few, some
among fourty species”. Clearly, a syntaxonomic
Ptilostemono riphaei-Quercetum rotundifoliae revision of the Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetalia
Meddour 2010 nom. inval. (Art. 1) alaterni in North Africa is long overdue.
Lit.: Meddour (2010). Syntaxonomic note 2 (L. Mucina): The scrub
communities traditionally classified within
Pinetalia halepensis Biondi, Blasi, Galdenzi, the Quercetea ilicis have been considered to
Pesaresi &V agge in Biondi,A llegrezza, Casavecchia, constitute a in its own right by Julve (1993) who
Galdenzi, Gasparri, Pesaresi,V agge & Blasi 2014 coined the Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetea alaterni.
Thermo-mesomediterranean pine forests of the This deed has not been followed by many (e.g.
Central and Eastern Mediterranean Theurillat et al., 1995; several issues of the French
Prodrome, e.g. de Foucault et al., 2012; it has not
Pistacio lentisci-Pinion halepensis Biondi, been recognised notably in Bardat et al., 2004),
Blasi, Galdenzi, Pesaresi & Vagge in Biondi, but appears to possess some merit especially
Allegrezza, Casavecchia, Galdenzi, Gasparri, in the light of the current recognition of scrub
Pesaresi, Vagge & Blasi 2014 classes such as Crataego-Prunetea (separated
Thermo-mesomediterranean pine forests of from Querco-Fagetea), Roso pendulinae-Pinetea
the Central and Eastern Mediterranean mugo vs Vaccinio-Piceetea, Rhododendro hirsuti-
Ericetea carneae vs Erico-Pinetea, Salicetea
Genisto quadriflorae-Pinetum halepensis purpureae vs Alno-Populetea, and Franguletea
ass. nova hoc loco vs Alnetea glutinosae. Recognition of the
Holotypus (hoc loco): Benabdelli (1996: importance of vegetation structure (especially
Tab. 14, rel. 3) complexity of vertical layering and physiognomy)
• Calicotomo spinosae-Pinetum halepensis in delimitation of the higher ranks of the Braun-
Brakchi 1998 nom. inval. (Art. 1) Blanquet syntaxonomy is not a new phenomenon
• ‘Matorral élévé à Pinus halepensis’ (see Westhoff, 1967). I am of the opinion,
(Rebbas et al., 2011: 280, Table VI) that the vegetation structure (as an additional
Lit.: Benabdelli (1996: Tab. 4, rels. 1, criterium) should be consequently pursued also in
2, 3 & 5), Brakchi (1998), Rebbas et al. classification of woodland and scrub vegetation of
(2011), Lemouissi (2014). the Mediterranean.
Arisaro vulgaris-Pinetum halepensis Asparago albi-Rhamnion oleoidis Rivas
Brakchi 1998 nom. inval. (Art. 1) Goday ex Rivas-Martínez 1975
Lit.: Brakchi (1998). Ibero-Maghrebian thermomediterranean
sclerophyllous maquis and mantle scrub of
Erico arboreae-Pinetum halepensis semi-arid to subhumid regions
Brakchi 1998 nom. inval. (Art. 1) Syntaxonomic note: Maghrebian phytoso-
• non Erico arboreae-Pinetum ciologists used the name Oleo-Ceratonion
halepensis De Marco & Caneva 1984 siliquae Braun-Blanquet ex Guinochet &
Lit.: Brakchi (1998), Rebbas et al. Drouineau 1944 to accommodate sclero-
(2011). phyllous scrub of the relevant ecological
Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetalia alaterni Rivas- space (semi-arid to subhumid, thermomedi-
Martínez 1975 terranean, coastal-close habitats). The latter
Thermo-mesomediterranean low-grown ma- is however, limited (see also Rivas-Martín-
torral, macchia and garrigue of the Mediterra- ez et al., 2011) to the northwestern Spanish
nean Basin Valenciano-Catalonian coasts as well as the
Syntaxonomic note 1: As Benabid & Fennane coast of the Balearic Island, and further to
(1994), Benabid (2000) and Fennane (2003) the coastal seaboards of the Ligurian and
pointed out, the boundaries between the allian- Tyrrhenian Sea (incl. Corsica, Sardinia,
ces within the Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetalia northern coasts of Italy, and the entire west-
alaterni in North Africa are not clear. Already in ern coasts of Apennine Peninsula). The
1980, Guinochet proposed that “a close exami- Oleo-Ceratonion is, in south of Spain and
nation reveals that the associations described in further south in North Africa, replaced by
this have very similar floristic compositions, of- the Asparago albi-Rhamnion oleoidis.
Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163 133
Figure 1. Forest communities of Algeria. A: Balansaeo glaberrimae-Quercetum rotundifoliae,
Tizi Tirkabine, Tizi n’Kouilal Pass, Djurdjura Mt; B: Plagio maghrebini-Quercetum canariensis, Yakouren,
Béni Ghobri forest. Both photos: R. Meddour.
134 Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163
• ‘Oleo-Ceratonion siliquae’ (sensu auct. Lit.: Wojterski (1988), Géhu et al. (1992),
maghrebianum) Géhu & Sadki (1996), Siab-Farsi et al.
• non Oleo-Ceratonion siliquae Braun- (2014).
Blanquet ex Guinochet & Drouineau 1944
Bupleuro fruticosi-Euphorbietum
Smilaco asperae-Pistacietum lentisci dendroidis Géhu, Kaabèche & Gharzouli
(Nègre 1964) nom. nov. hoc loco 1992 nom. inval. (Art. 5)
• ‘Maquis à Euphorbia dendroides’ (Géhu
• ‘Association à Pistacia lentiscus et
et al., 1994a)
Olea europaea’ Nègre 1964 nom. illeg.
• Chamaeropo humilis-Euphorbietum
(Art. 31)
dendroidis Toubal & Toubal 1996 nom.
• Oleo sylvestris-Pistacietum lentisci
inval. (Art. 5)
Nègre 1964 corr. sensu auct. (corr. su-
• ‘Groupement à Euphorbia dendroides’
perfl.)
(Kaabèche et al., 1998)
• ‘Groupement à Olea europaea et
Lit.: Géhu et al. (1992, 1994a), Toubal &
Pistacia lentiscus’ (Toubal, 1986)
Toubal (1996a), Kaabèche et al. (1998),
• Oleo oleastri-Pistacietum lentisci
Rebbas et al. (2011)
Sadki 1988 nom. inval. (Art. 1)
• non Oleo sylvestris-Pistacietum len-
Ampelodesmo mauritanicae-Chamaeropetum
tisci Braun-Blanquet & Molinier 1951
humilis J. Braun-Blanquet, Font Quer,
Lit.: Nègre (1964), De Bélair et al.
G. Braun-Blanquet, Frey, Jansen &
(1984), Toubal (1986), De Bélair & Moor 1936
Bencheikh-Lehocine (1987), Sadki • Pistacio lentisci-Chamaeropetum humilis
(1988, 1995), Wojterski (1988, 1990), Brullo & Marcenò 1985 (syntax. syn.)
Khelifi & Sadki (1995), Toubal & Tou- • Ampelodesmo mauritanicae-
bal (1996b), Meddour (2002). Chamaeropetum humilis Quézel, Bar-
bero, Benabid & Rivas-Martínez 1992
Phillyreo latifoliae-Pistacietum lentisci nom. illeg. (Art. 31)
Benabid 1982 nom. inval. (Art. 5) • Chamaeropetum humilis Toubal 1998
• Phillyreo angustifoliae-Pistacietum (syntax. syn.)
lentisci Siab-Farsi, Khelifi & Kadid Nomenclatural and syntaxonomic notes:
2014 nom. inval. (Art. 5) Toubal’s (1998), ‘Chamaeropetum humilii’
• Phillyreo angustifoliae-Pistacietum was validly described (albeit the name
lentisci Khelifi 2008 nom. inval. (Art. 1) deserves orthographic correction) from
Algeria, and it is syntaxonomically
Lit.: Khelifi (2008), Siab-Farsi et al.
identical with the Ampelodesmo-
(2014).
Chamaeropetum (Braun-Blanquet et al.,
1936). The association Pistacio lentisci-
Ephedro fragilis-Pistacietum lentisci
Chamaeropetum humilis Brullo & Mar-
Géhu, Kaabèche & Gharzouli ex Géhu
cenò 1985 (Brullo & Marcenò, 1985;
& Sadki 1996
Brullo et al., 2008) most probably be-
• Ephedro fragilis-Pistacietum lentisci
longs to the same association as well.
Géhu & Sadki 1996 (phantom)
Géhu & Sadki (1996: 354-355) have in-
• ‘Ephedro fragilis-Lentiscetum’ Géhu,
cluded validly described Chamaeropodo
Kaabèche & Gharzouli 1992 nom. inval.
humilis-Artemisietum arborescentis Géhu
(orig. form) (Art. 2b)
& Sadki 1996 into the Oleo-Ceratonion.
• ‘Faciès à Ephedra fragilis de l’Oleo-
This classification is not correct since
Pistacietum lentisci’ (Wojterski, 1988)
this ‘pré-maquis subnitrophile’ appar-
• non Ephedro fragilis-Pistacietum lentisci ently belongs to the Pegano-Salsoletea.
Biondi, Brugiapaglia, Farris, Filigheddu & Lit.: Toubal (1998), Mesli (2001), Amara
Secchi 2004 nom. illeg. (Art. 31) (2014).
Nomenclatural note: Géhu & Sadki
(1996, not 1995; see Note on the Ephedro Chamaeropo humilis-Asparagetum
fragilis-Junieretum turbinatae) validated altissimi Guinochet 1980 nom. inval.
the association by selecting the holotype. (Art. 5)
Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163 135
Nomenclatural note: Once the name of Thermo-mesomediterranean sclerophyllous
this association is validated, it would be the scrub of arid and semi-arid continental re-
prime candidate for nomen inversum since gions of the Maghreb
Chamaerops humilis has high cover values Syntaxonomic note: Fennane (1988) sug-
that Asparagus altissimus in all 3 relevés gested that this was only of very dubious
in the table in the original publication value since it had been originally created
(Guinochet, 1980: Tab. 7). to accommodate mainly Tetraclinis asso-
Lit.: Guinochet (1980). ciations. Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999) as
well as Meddour (2010) have cited it for
Quercetum coccifero-rotundifoliae Hadjadj Algeria.
-Aoul & Loisel 1999
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999), Mesli Rosmarino tournefortii-Tetraclinetum
(2001). articulatae Nègre 1964 nom. invers. et nom.
mut. propos.
Tetraclini articulatae-Lavanduletum • ‘Callitrieto-Rosmarinetum tournefortii’
dentatae Dahmani 1984 nom. inval. (Art. 1) Nègre 1964 (orig. form)
• non Lavandulo dentatae-Tetraclinetum • Rosmarino tournefortii-Tetraclinetum
articulatae Fennane 1982 nom. inval. articulatae Fennane 1987 nom. inval.
(Art. 1) (Art. 1)
• non Lavandulo dentatae-Tetraclinetum • Rosmarino tournefortii-Tetraclinetum
articulatae Fennane 1988 nom. inval. articulatae Fennane 1988 nom. inval.
(Art. 5) (Art. 5)
Lit.: Dahmani (1984), Hadjadj-Aoul (1988) . Nomenclatural note: In the original
name of this association (Nègre, 1964)
Calicotomo intermediae-Tetraclinetum the suffix -etum should be assigned to
articulatae Barbero, Quézel & Rivas- the species of higher stratum (Tetraclinis
Martínez 1981 articulata, syn. Callitris quadrivalvis).
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul (1988), Hadjadj (1991), Therefore we suggest inverting the orig-
Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999), Medjahdi inal name as well as mutating the invert-
(2010), Amara (2014). ed name since the concept of the genus
Callitris has not been in use in North
Ampelodesmo mauritanicae-Tetraclinetum Africa for more than past 20 years. Mo-
articulatae Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999 lecular phylogenetic work (e.g. Gadek et
• ‘Groupement à Tetraclinis articulata al., 2000; Yang et al., 2012) confirmed
et Ampelodesma mauritanicum’ (Miara, that Callitris and Tetraclinis belong to
2011) different clades and hence should be
• ‘G3: Tetraclinis articulata-Ampelodesma considered different at the genus lev-
mauritanicum’ (Benabdellah, 2011) el. Fennane’s (1987, 1988) Rosmarino
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999), tournefortii-Tetraclinetum articulatae
Benabdellah (2011), Miara (2011), Mi- is syntaxonomically identical, yet in-
ara et al. (2012). validly published. However, validation
of this name would create a later homo-
Genisto quadriflorae-Tetraclinetum nym.
articulatae Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999 Lit.: Nègre (1964), Hadjadj-Aoul (1988),
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999). Medjahdi (2010). Figure 2C.
Comm. ‘Groupements à Myrtus Rhuo pentaphyllae-Tetraclinetum
communis’ (Nègre, 1964) articulatae Hadjadj-Aoul 1999
• ‘sous-groupement à Myrtus communis, • ‘Rhus pentaphyllae-Tetraclinetum articu-
la myrtaie’ (Chevassut, 1956) latae’ Hadjadj-Aoul 1988 nom. inval.
Lit.: Chevassut (1956), Nègre (1964), (Art. 1)
Toubal (1986). • ‘Rhus pentaphyllae-Tetraclinetum arti-
culatae’ Hadjadj 1991 nom. inval. (Art. 5)
Tetraclini articulatae-Pistacion atlanticae • ‘Groupement à Tetraclinis articulata et
Rivas-Martínez, Costa & Izco 1986* Rhus pentaphylla’ (Alcaraz, 1991)
136 Meddour, R.; Meddour-Sahar, O.; Zeraia, L. & Mucina, L. Lazaroa 38(2) 2017: 127-163
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul (1988), Hadjadj (1991), parently syntaxonomically identical with
Alcaraz (1991), Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel the Ephedro fragilis-Juniperetum macro-
(1999). carpae Bartolo, Brullo & Marcenò 1982
(described form Sicily; Brullo et al., 2008)
Rhamno oleoidis-Tetraclinetum articulatae and therefore nomenclaturally should be
Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999 considered a later homonym.
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999). Lit.: Aimé et al. (1983), Géhu et al. (1992,
1994a), Khelifi et al. (2014).
Junipero turbinatae-Quercetum cocci-
ferae Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel 1999 Ephedro fragilis-Juniperetum turbinatae
Lit.: Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel (1999). Géhu & Sadki 1996
• Ephedro fragilis-Juniperetum turbinatae
Calicotomo intermediae-Oleetum sylvestris (Zaffran 1960) Géhu & Sadki 1996 (phan-
Quézel, Barbero, Benabid, Loisel & tom)
Rivas-Martínez 1988 Nomenclatural note: The name was effec-
Lit.: Amara (2014). tively not published in 1995, but in March
1996 as indicated clearly on the last page of
Junipero oxycedri-Rhamnion atlanticae the Volume XV of Document phytosocio-
Quézel & Barbero 1986* logiques N.S. (see Géhu & Sadki, 1996).
M eso-supramediterranean sclerophyllous Lit.: Zaffran (1960), Wojterski (1988), Géhu
scrub of subhumid regions of the Maghreb & Sadki (1996), Siab-Farsi et al. (2014).
Junipero turbinatae-Quercetum rotun- Rhamno rotundifoliae-Juniperetum tur-
difoliae Dahmani-Megrerouche & Loi- binatae Quézel, Barbero, Benabid, Loisel
sel 2003 nom. inval. (Art. 5) & Rivas-Martínez 1988
• Junipero turbinatae-Quercetum rotun- Lit.: Medjahdi (2010).
difoliae Dahmani-Megrerouche 1996 nom.
Clematidi cirrhosae-Juniperetum lyciae
inval. (Art. 2b)
Barbero, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez 1981
Lit.: Dahmani-Megrerouche (1996a, 1996b,
nom. inval. (Art. 2b)
1997), Kadi-Hanifi (1998), Dahmani-Me-
Nomenclatural note: The association was
grerouche & Loisel (2003).
described by Barbero et al. (1981: 369-
370) invalidly since only synoptic table has
Comm. ‘Groupement à Quercus
been presented.
rotundifolia et Juniperus oxycedrus
Lit.: Meziani (1984).
subsp. rufescens’ (Miara et al., 2012)
Lit.: Miara (2011), Miara et al. (2012)..
Ericion arboreae (Rivas-Martínez ex Rivas-
Martínez, Costa & Izco 1986) Rivas-Martínez
Juniperion turbinatae Rivas-Martínez 1975
1987
corr. 1987
Mesomediterranean neutrophilous to acido-
Thermomediterranean tall juniper scrub on
philous mesic maquis and mantle in the sub-
coastal dune systems of the semi-arid to
humid to humid regions of the Western Medi-
sub-humid Western Mediterranean seaboards
terranean
• Juniperion lyciae Rivas-Mart. 1975 (orig.
name)
Simethi bicoloris-Ericetum arboreae Nègre
1964
Ephedro fragilis-Juniperetum macrocarpae
Lit.: Nègre (1964).
Bartolo, Brullo & Marcenò 1982
• Ephedro fragilis-Juniperetum macrocarpae
Erico arboreae-Myrtetum communis Quézel,
Géhu & Géhu-Franck 1986 nom. illeg. (Art.
Barbero, Benabid, Loisel & Rivas-Martínez
31)
1988
Nomenclatural and syntaxonomic notes:
• ‘Groupement à Pistacia lentiscus et Erica
The Ephedro fragilis-Juniperetum macro-
arborea’ (Sadki, 1988)
carpae J.M. Géhu & J. Géhu-Franck 1986
Lit.: Sadki (1988), Hadjadj (1991), Khelifi
(see Géhu & Géhu-Franck, 1986; Géhu et
& Sadki (1995), Hadjadj-Aoul & Loisel
al., 1994a), described from Tunisia, is ap-
(1999), Meddour (2010), Medjahdi (2010).