Plantation of Atriplex canescens for the restoration of degraded courses in the Algerian steppe

Abstract

The Algerian steppe is the breeding environment of sheep, which graze on the rangelands. In its arid part, the vulnerability of the environment has been aggravated by this main use, which has intensified in the last decades. A decrease in fodder productivity characterizes this regressive trend, and perennial species are the most affected. The Algerian State has implemented a program to manage highly degraded steppe areas by planting resistant and productive biomass plant species such as Atriplex spp. The objective of this work was to estimate the pastoral productivity of a few rehabilitated stations by planting Atriplex canescens, compared to natural rangelands. The results showed an improvement in the vegetation cover (from 49% to 60%) and better grazing values (phytomass, productivity, energy, and stocking). On the rehabilitated sites, energy and protein productivity of 604 milk forage units / ha/year and 29 kg dry matter / ha/year, and stocking of 1.51 sheep unit / ha/year were recorded, whereas on the degraded rangelands these values were 14 MFU, 0.422 kg DM/ha/year, and 0.03 sheep unit / ha/year, respectively. The natural stations are overgrazed, and the vegetation and steppe soils have been degrading considerably. Unless steppe rangelands are restored or rehabilitated, their capacity for pastoral productivity will be severely reduced.