Evaluation of the biodiversity and stabilization of the soil after the fixating of the dunes by Retama retam Webb . , Tamarix gallica L . and Tamarix aphylla ( L . ) Karst in the dunes cordon of El-Mesrane ( W . Djelfa ) in Algeria

Our study of the biodiversity of the vegetation and the stability of the soil surface at the levels of the dunes fixed by Retama retam Webb., Tamarix gallica L., Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst and the natural fixation in the two experimental projects of the dunes fixation in Zahrez Gharbi of El-Mesrane region (W. Djelfa) shows that the dunes fixed by T. gallica and T. aphylla represent an important diversity with 57 species, 36 species in the dunes fixed by R. retam Webb. and T. aphylla (L.) Karst and a significant diversity of 24 species at the levels of the dunes naturally fixed. The Shannon weaver –index (H’) registered on the vegetation of the dunes fixed by T. gallica L. and T. aphylla (L.). Karst is of H ' = 3.12; it is 2.61 at the levels of dunes fixed by R. retam Webb. and T. aphylla (L.). Karst, It achieved a 2.18 on the vegetation of the natural regeneration of R. retam Webb and sandy plants. On the qualitative plan, the distribution of the biologic types is marked by the dominance of the therophytes of the flora. The multidimensional treatment demonstrated that the moisture, the fertility and the soil stability are the ecological factors responsible for the composition and the repartition of the vegetation in the several studied dunes which demonstrates that there is noticeable dunes stability through the mechanical and biological treatment realized on these dunes.


INTRODUCTION
The dune cordon of Djelfa -Boussaâda is considered as a major topographical element at the level of the Zahrez basin (Gharbi and chergui W Djelfa) and constitutes a permanent menace for the surrounding ecosystems.Under the wind dynamic, the free sands colonize the neighboring zones (farm land, tracks and infrastructures) considered as the most visible phenomenon of desertification, the dunes mobility cause significant economical and social repercussions.
The different fixation works on dunes led by the National Institute of the Forest Researches (NIFR) since 1982, in the two experimental projects on the dune cordon of Zahrez Gharbi at the area called El-Mesrane (W.Djelfa) consist in testing the different mechanical and biological dunes fixation technically and in comparing their resistance to the environment conditions, as well as their efficiency to reach a stabilization model that is secure and economical.However, consequently to these dunes fixation studies, the current necessity is to establish a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the different experienced operations.Many studies to have been achieved in the dune cordon of El Mesrane (W.Djelfa) in order to know and inquire of the reaction and efficiency of the different alive and inert materials, introduced at an experimental level on the lively dunes.We cite as an example, the Makhlouf works 1992 on the sedimentologic studies of the sands of the dunes cordon in the Zahrez Gharbi basin (Djelfa) Chouial et al. (2000) which have proved the Algerian experience in the area of mechanical and biological fixation of the windmill formations such as the case of the experimental project of Elmesrane.
The objective of our current research is to achieve a quantitative and qualitative (phytoecologic) of the vegetation and an evaluation of the stabilization of the soil's surface of the dunes fixed by Retama retam Webb., Tamarix gallica L. and T. aphylla (L.) Karst in the experimented spots at the level of the dune cordon of Elmesrane.

Geographic situation
The studied area is situated in the dune cordon level according to Pouget (1980); this area is part of the Zahrez Gharbi basin in the high south plain of Algeria.Our studied area called El-Mesrane at 35 km of the north of Djelfa Town; it represents a middle altitude of 860 m which its geographic coordinates are: Longitude: 3° 00 and 3°03 E and Latitude: 34°34' and 34° 36 N.
The specific studied area includes the different fixed dunes in 1983 by the NIFR in the fixation experimental projects of the dunes (Figure 1).

Geology and geomorphology
The dune cordon is a recent geological formation which  appears at the end of the tertiary and the beginning of the quaternary, coming from the soft rocks (marlstone and red clay) which have been extracted by the erosion of the mountain as well as the presence of salt Limestone Gypsum and soluble salts) that have many effects on the composition of waters either underground or superficial ones (Figures 2 and 3).

Bioclimate
Our studied area presents an accentuated arid tendency of a semi arid inferior type with a fresh winter characterized by a long dried season going of May to October undergoes the geographic situation between the influence of the south and those of the Mediterranean to the north (Kaabeche, 1997).The climate is rigorous, extreme and uncertain with an annual rainfall range feeble and irregular; it is evaluated at 326.91 mm/year.And the average temperature records the maximum in July 26.83°C and the minimum in January 4.76°C.Moreover, the winds are always violent consequently the vegetation cannot install without an adequate protection system.

METHODOLOGY The sampling
We achieved two studies, quantitative and qualitative (phytoecological) the sampling took place during the 2008, 2009 and 2012 spring period, a period in which all the spring species are represented.

Quantitative inventory (linear Statement)
The linear statement is considered as an efficient means to study the evolution of the vegetation cover when it involves a permanent  line Gounot (1969), Aidoud (1983), a reading can be done every 10 cm long and 10 m line and materialized by a graduated ribbon extended above the vegetation.This linear method permits to provide specific data related to the vegetation and the characteristics of the surface that allow evaluating: The specific frequency (SF) of the species "i".

Qualitative inventory (phytoecological)
On the different picked dunes, we have delimited the area by 32 m 2 .It is the most adequate surface for the study of those dunes ecosystems dominated by the therophytes.86 statements were achieved and every statement contains floristic and ecological data.The floristic data are represented through a list on which are mentioned all the identified species in the sampling area.Every species has abundance -dominances coefficient according to Braun-Blanquet scale 1959 and vegetal formation type characterized according to Ionesco and Sauvage (1962).

Analysis statistic
According to the number of data, 86 statements and 68 species were used to estimate multivariate analysis; factorial analysis of correspondence (FAC) and the ascendant hierarchic classification (AHC) whereas for the treatment of the floristic data, the software was utilized of version 5 statistica.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the biodiversity
Biological diversity consequently made it possible for us to study the biological comeback after the dune stability.The taxons composing the different groups of the individualized vegetation were characterized by: a) Their taxonomic diversity: This was realized from the flora of Algeria Quezel andSanta (1962-1963), the flora of Sahara (Ozenda, 1977), the flora and the vegetation of Sahara (Ozenda, 1991).b) Biologically raw and real: The biological types listed in the database Raunkiaer (1934) Amended by Ellenberg and Muller-Dombois (1967) were used.
c) The specific diversity, index of Shannon H': This was calculated from the (SC) generally measured by means of lines: H' = -Σ (ni / N) × log 2 (ni / N) Ni: Number of individuals of a species, i going of 1 in S (total number of species).N: Total number of individuals.This index values was between 0 and 5 bits per individuals (Frontier, 1983).d) Equitability (E): Represents the report between the specific diversity of theoretical maximal Shannon and the logarithm of specific wealth of the sample (Frontier, 1983): E = H' / H' max avec H' max = log 2 S, S: Specific wealth.(d) The frequencies rows diagrams: Frontier and Pichod-Viale (1998) presented a detailed overview of the diversity because their speeds vary according to the specific diversity.

Identification of the vegetal groups and their floristic and ecological characteristics
The examination of the projection of the points statements of the AFC statements-species (Figures 6, 7 and 8) allowed us to identify the lots of the similar statements, this means the principal vegetal groups.The dendrogram analysis obtained permitted the division of the whole statements into two principal classes (Figure 6): Class A: It includes the achieved statements in the dunes already fixed by R. retam Webb., T. gallica L., T. aphylla (L.) Karst.This class is subdivided into two groups: Group 1: It is formed by the achieved statements already fixed essentially by T. gallica L., T. aphylla (L.) Karst.
Group 2: It is formed by the achieved statements already fixed by R. retam Webb.and T. aphylla (L.) Karst that is localized in the depression.
Class B: Represented by one unique Group (3) formed by the achieved statements in the dunes recently fixed with the natural regeneration of R. retam Webb.and sandy plants.

Factorial maps of the statements-species
The factorial plans (1-2) Figures 7 and 8 illustrate three distinct and well individualized groups: Group 1: It is characterized by the statements of the dunes fixed by T. gallica L., T. aphylla (L.) Karst with a dominant exposition (North) at different toposequences with a middle recovering of the vegetation of 35%.This group represents vegetal species relatively demanding  the presence of the following species R. retam, Plantago albicans Artemesia campestris, M. aegyptiaca and Launaea resedifolia.Eruca vesicaria, Scabiosa arenaria, T. aphylla, Reseda decursiva, P. albicans, R. retam.
According to Ozenda (1982) P. albicans is a frequent species in the consolidated sandy area, but Pouget (1980) characterizes it as a species consisting of a simple sandy veil at a surface of an underlying soil of any nature but Djebaili (1984) evokes this species in the alliance of A. herba alba and P. albicans colonizing the non salty depression and the soils are generally muddy.According to killian (1948), T. aphylla developed in the bed of the wadi where the layer of sand keeps humidity in the depth.
Group 3: Includes the statements of the dune recently fixed by the natural regeneration of R. retam and those which are not fixed yet and submitting the influence of the fixation with a south dominate exposure according to the different toposequences with a very weak recovering of the vegetation.There is a noticeable abundance of vegetal species well adapted to these areas: sandy species such as A. pungens, Euphorbia guyoniana, S. satureioides Ononis natrix, Pseuderucaria teretifolia Pouget (1979), Ozenda (1982).A. pungens, Cutandia dichotoma, Pseuderucarea teritifolea, Cynodo dactylon and Euphorbia colonize the dunes recently or not yet fixed.
According to Maire (1926), the sandy grounds of the highlands of the Sahara are occupied by the association to Drinn (A. pungens) in addition to these plants, we can find some nano-phanerophytes as R. retam, Saccocalyx satureoides, E. guyoniana, Thymelaea micrphylla, A. campestris and some are Hemicryptophytes such as Launea reseifolia, Onopordon arenarium and M. aegyptiaca.
The ecological significance of factorial axes will consequently be like this: i. Axis 1 illustrates the evolution of the stability of the dune field: A fixed sandy soil, consolidated and frequented by relatively demanding species (positive part of Axis 1) is opposed to soil not yet stabilized, more or less mobile and colonized by sandy plants (negative part of Axis 1).ii. Axis 2 denotes the dampness of the sandy soil and the fertility of the field in north exposure where we have the presence of species relatively water demanding such as B. sterilis, L. rigidum, T. gallica and T. aphylla (positive part of Axis 2) instead of other species enough resistant to the drought, well adapted to the arid conditions of those types of biotope and frequenting the south exposure such as Retam retam and A. campestris.

Systematic diversity
At the level of the dunes fixed by T. gallica (L.) and T.   aphylla (L.) Karst (Group 1), we counted 20 families, 49 genres and 57 species.Figure 9 shows the best families represented on the specific and generic plan which are the asteraceae (13 genres and 14 species) followed by the fabaceae (leguminous) and the poaceae (6 genres and 6 species), a feeble participation of the brassicaceae, chenopodiaceae and geraniacea (3 genres for each and 3, 2 and 1 species, respectively).
The tamaricaceae, lamiaceae, plantagenaceae and euphorbiacea are represented just by 2 species in which majority is monogenetic, exceptionally for the lamiaceae, the other families are monogeneric and monospecific.
In Group 2, the analysis of the floristic composition of the fixed dunes by Retam retam Webb and T. aphylla (L.) Karst permitted the identification of 16 families, 30 genres and 36 species.The dominant families are the asteraceae (4 genres and 9 species), the fabaceae and the poaceae (4 genres, 4 species) then the brassicaseae (3 species and a monogeneric) followed by the tamaricaceae, caryophylaceae, plantagenaceae and geraniaceae present 2 species and only one genre, 9 families are monogeneric (Figure 10) group of natural fixation and the dune submitting the influence.
In Group 3, we counted just 9 families divided into 23 genres and 24 species.The best represented families on the generic and specific plan are always the asteraceae (8 genres and 8 species) followed by the fabaceae (3 genres, 3 species) then, the poaceae and the cayophylaceae (3 genres and 3 species), next, the plantagenaceae (2 genres and a monospecific).This  group is also characterized by the presence of 4 monogeneric and monospecific families (Figure 11).
The flora analysis of three vegetal groups defined in the dunes cordon (Figures 5, 6 and 7) shows that these group have richness in families, genre and varied species, the group of the dunes fixed by T. gallica and T. aphylla (L.) Karst is the richest whereas Group 3 of the naturally fixed dunes and submitting the fixation influence is the poorest.The best represented families on the generic and specific plan in the three groups are: the Asteraceae, the fabaceae and the poaceae.

Raw spectrum
The analysis of the distribution of the biological types (Figure 12) reveals the neat dominance of the therophytes 56.14% in Group 1, 52.77% and 50%.In Groups 2 and 3, respectively followed by the chameaphytes that is important in Group 3 with 29.16%, 22.22% in Group 1 and 17, 54% in Group 2 then the hemicryptophytes that represents as well as relatively significant rate of 16.66, 14.03 and 11.11% in Groups 3, 2 and 1, respectively.
Whereas for phanerophytes that occupy the fourth positions of 8.66% in the dunes fixed by T. gallica and T. aphylla (L.) Karst (Group 1).Followed by the nanophanerophytes with 3.50% and share the position with the nanophanerophytes 5.55% for each one in the dunes fixed by T. aphylla (L.) Karst and Retam retam Webb.(Group 2) followed by the geophytes that come in the last position with a very feeble presence 2.77% with an exception of the dunes fixed by the natural regeneration and the dunes submitting the fixation influence where this spot is owned by the nanophanerophytes.
The percentage of the phanerophytes, nanophanerophytes, hemicryptophytes and geophytes decreases with xeric and openness of the environment whereas the percentage of the therophytes and the chameaphytes increases.
The numerical abundance of the therophytes indicates the openness of the vegetal rug many authors present the therophytisation as a form of resistance to the climate rigors (Negre, 1966;Barbero, 1990).We notice that the more the conditions of the environment are rigors, the more the therophytes increase whereas the phanerophytes decrease and that is what we observed during the period in which the studied area received an average rain quantity very feeble during the quarters of the first months of the year 2008.This rainfall has privileged the development of the therophytes.Consequently, we remark the deflation of the soil and silting at some spots, this silting on the self mulching permits the development of the therophytes.
Therefore in a particular mesoclimate, the rate therophytes is linked to the type of the vegetal formation and particularly to its openness degree and consequently (Daget, 1980).Indeed, the high commission of the development of the steppe (HCDS) rends the planted perimeters a month per year to farmers on basis of the state of the vegetation and the climatic condition in to enrich the soil with nitrates and permit the development of ruderals.equitability (Frontier and Pichod-Viale, 1998) with a right extremity, a contingent of rare species.On the dunes fixed by T. gallica L. and T. aphylla (L.) Karst (Figure 13a), the floral cortege is marked by the abundance of the fixating species T. aphylla (L.) Karst (1), T. gallica L. (2), L. arabicum (4), P. atlantica (5) as well as a remounted biologic marked by the dominance of L. rigidum (3) H. murinum (6), Loeflingia hispanica (7), helichrysum stoechas (8), P. albicans (9) and Astragalus cruciatus (10) indicate the fertility of the soil after its fixation.
Finally, at the level of dunes which are influenced by the fixation and regeneration of R. retam Webb.

Conclusion
The results obtained show the success of plantations through resumption of the natural vegetation and comeback biological significant.There is a lively change of the current situation of intervention by the installation of very varied vegetation modifying the surface of the ground on all the fixed dunes.The analysis of the flora of three plant groups shows that these groups have a wealth in families, genres and varied species.The group of the dunes fixed by T. gallica L. and T. aphylla (L.) Karst is the richest with 57 species followed by the dunes fixed with R. retam Webb and T. aphylla (L.) Karst with 36 species against 24 species in the dunes of recent natural fixation; characterized by the presence of sandy plants.The most represented families on the generic and specific plan were Astéraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae.
On the quantitative level, the indexes diversity vary according to the specific richness were remarked.The Shannon index registered on the vegetation of the dunes fixed by T. gallica and T. aphylla (L.) Karst that is H' = 3.12, it is of 2.61 at the levels of dunes fixed by R. retam Webb.and T. aphylla (L.).Karst and 2.61 in the levels of dunes fixed by R. retam Webb.and sandy plants, consequently, this leads to quantitative and qualitative floristic richness of the palatable species notably of the therophytes which explains the augmentation of the Shannon index in the fixed and consolidated dunes.
This analysis also proved that dampness and soil stability are the ecological factors responsible of the composition and the repartition of the vegetation in the different studied dunes.The condition of the development of these species, in addition to the installation of the species show that there exists a noticeable stability of the dunes, and this is due to the mechanical and biological treatments achieved on these dunes.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Location of the fixation projects experimental of the dunes on the dune cordon of Djelfa Bousaada.

Figure 4
Figure 4 (a, b, c, d).Texture and color of the sand of the wind formations Photo taken by Guerrache, March 2013).

Figure 5
Figure 5 (a, b).Photos showing the importance of groundwater of the dune cordon of Zahrez Photo taken by Guerrache, March 2013).
(a) The global recovery of the vegetation (GR): Expressed in percentage is calculated as follow: of points of vegetation; N = Number of points of reading (100 points); Nwv = number of points without vegetation.(b) The specific frequency (SF) of a species: Allows to appreciate the place of the species "i" in the occupation of the total space of the vegetation: SFi = ni / N ni = number of the species "i"; N = the sampled surface.(c) The specific contribution (SC): Allows to estimate the contribution of the species "i" in the whole of the studied species: Csi = SFi / ∑SFi

Figure 7 .Figure 8 .
Figure 7. Factorial statements of the distribution along the axes 1 and 2.

Figure 9 .
Figure 9.The diversity taxonomic of the group1 (Number of family and genre).

Figure 10 .
Figure 10.The diversity taxonomic of the group 2 (Number of family and genre).

Figure 11 .
Figure 11.The diversity taxonomic of the group 3 (Number of family and genre).

Figure 12 .
Figure 12.Raw biological spectrum of three groups.

Figure 13 .
Figure 13.Real biological spectrum of three groups a. Diagram rank-frequency -Group I b.Diagram rankfrequency -Group II c. Diagram rank-frequency -Group III.

Table 1 .
Quantitative results of the biodiversity of three groups