Evaluation of agrodiversity in the oasis agroecosystems of the Béni-Abbès region (southern Algeria) - Acta Universitatis Sapientiae

Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Agriculture and Environment, 16 (2024) 88–108

DOI: 10.47745/ausae-2024-0007

Abstract. This study is a contribution to the assessment of agro-diversity in traditional agro-systems of the wilaya of Béni-Abbès (southern Algeria). It made it possible to carry out an inventory of local varieties, crops grown, and traditional know-how. The study is based on field investigations and surveys conducted among oasis farmers. These surveys, structured in the form of questionnaires, made it possible to collect data on agro-biodiversity and the socio-economic aspects of traditional oasis agro-ecosystems. In total, 54 oasis farmers were interviewed in order to collect and characterize the local phytogenetic heritage of the species cultivated in the three studied oases. The results of the surveys and the systemic analysis of the data collected show a remarkable diversification of speculations, with more than 44 different crops recorded, represented by 15 market garden species, 10 cereal and fodder species, 19 condiment, medicinal, and aromatic plants, 5 fruit species, and 5 date palm cultivars among the most consumed. This diversification is also observed in animal production, with a diversity of species (goats, sheep, and poultry). These oases are characterized by the practice of mixed farming and present a remarkable diversity of genetic resources of fruit trees, market garden crops, fodder crops, and local cultivars adapted to arid, dry, and extreme agro-ecological conditions. The inventory carried out on agro-biodiversity constitutes a key element of sustainability and an original database on existing varietal diversity in order to propose appropriate actions for the safeguarding and conservation of this genetic heritage of oasis agroecosystems.

Keywords: diversity, agro-system, inventory, sustainability, oasis, Algeria