Contribution of <i>Chamaerops humilis</i> L. (Arecaceae) in Conservation <i>in Situ</i> of Soil Resources in the Tlemcen Region (Western Algeria)

Abstract

In recent years, the anthropic action on scrubs in the region of Tlemcen (a province in western Algeria) has represented a threat to the groups of Chamaerops humilis L. (Arecaceae). The main purpose of the present investigation is to highlight the relationship between Chamaerops humilis and its biotope. Taking advantage of the refurbishment works in the study area, clumps of Chamaerops humilis , freshly dug by machinery, were collected and used to conduct some measurements. A total of 34 clusters were considered. The main parameters to be studied are: 1. The height of the tangle of roots and the number of roots in each cluster; 2. The weight of soil trapped between roots; 3. Physico-chemical properties of soil in which taxa grow. The results obtained showed that the average weight of soil retained by the clumps was important (70.3 kg); the average height of the tangle was 68.4 cm and the average number of roots was 382. The tangle of roots, of various stocks of Chamaerops humilis , creates a root network, very tangled in its upper part, thereby trapping a significant amount of soil. The statistical analyses of pairs of parameters, considered in the present work (height of the tangle, mass of soil trapped by roots and number of roots), were found to be highly correlated. These analyses allowed identifying the relationships existing between the studied parameters. They also helped to deduce the role of the taxon in the in situ conservation of edaphic potential.