Ecosystem services, vulnerability and threat levels of Ramsar wetlands in the complex of Aurès Sbkhates, North-Eastern Algeria

Abstract A socio-economic study were carried out in the wetlands complex of Aurès Sebkhates, in North Eastern Algeria. This study aimed to identify the ecosystem services obtained by local stakeholders, describe the anthropogenic impacts and evaluate the vulnerability and threat levels of three Ramsar wetlands: Garaet Timerganine (freshwater), Garaet Annk Djemel & El Merhsel (brackish water) and Sebkhet Ezzmoul (salt water). A socio-economic survey was conducted of 70 randomly selected households (social group) and 24 people belonging to the local administration (focus group). Vulnerability and threat levels were analyzed. Provisioning and monetary value are the most relevant ecosystem services (water pumping, grazing, agriculture, area for recreation, plant and egg collection, salt mining). Indirect ecosystem services rendered by the studied wetlands (water treatment/flood control) are only known by the focus group. 95% of the surveyed locals believed that the studied wetlands have experienced significant degradation in recent years mainly by human activity. Our results revealed significant threats due to salt mining and the excessive water pumping practiced within the three sites. Natural stressors such as drying out, erosion and siltation also contribute to the disturbance of these wetlands. Analysis of vulnerability (Vt) and threat (T) indices revealed that Garaet Timerganine is highly vulnerable (Vt= 1.48; T = 17.16), Ezzmoul is moderately vulnerable (Vt = 0.23; T = 2.3) and Annk Djemel & El Merhsel are weakly vulnerable (Vt = 0.04; T = 0.28). This study highlighted the most vulnerable wetlands in order to prioritize them and to build a strategy for conservation and their wise use.