Floristic diversity of Quercus suber woodlands in Kabylia (northeastern Algeria). Checklist and brief analysis

Abstract

The Quercus suber woodlands found in Algeria are of limited expansion, but of high ecological importance, and they are mainly located in the northeastern part of the country. The objective of this paper was to present the floristic diversity of the cork oak woodlands in Kabylia (northeastern Algeria), by describing the taxonomical (at families, genera, species and subspecies ranks), biological and chorological diversity of the vascular flora. Overall, 311 vascular plant taxa were recorded in the investigated area, of which 29 are endemics and Algerian law protects eight taxa. Biological spectrum revealed ecological features and anthropic pressure, while chorological spectrum provided information in climatic terms. The presence of 34 plant taxa with high value that are range-restricted and/or endemics in these woodlands is especially significant, as well as three threatened or near threatened species. Accordingly, measures for protection of floristic diversity are recommended.