Aphids cause biotic stress and vector diseases. However, wheat’s morphological and biochemical responses to aphid infestation are poorly studied. Our study evaluated the varietal behavior of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf) against Rhopalosiphum maidis (Homoptera: Aphididae) in laboratory conditions. We studied morphological trait variation (plant height [HP], flag leaf area [SFDF], leaf area [SF], spike length [LE], and beard length [LB]) and biochemical characteristics (chlorophyll, soluble sugars, and proline contents) of three varieties in Algeria: MBB, BOU, and GTA. MBB is the least affected, with a 13.34 % infestation rate. The heaviest infestation occurs during the heading stage. All morphological factors decreased in length or surface between control and infested samples. ANOVA showed significant variations for HP, LE, SFDF, and SF but not LB. Biochemical parameters decrease in GTA. In MBB, chlorophyll and soluble sugars decrease while proline increases. For BOU, soluble sugars decrease while chlorophyll and proline increase. Only soluble sugars showed a significant statistical variation between control and infested plants. HP is affected by aphid infestation, which is of higher significance for MBB. Proline content is affected in BOU and GTA. There is no significant variation between aphid infestation and chlorophyll, soluble sugars, and proline levels for MBB. The effect of R. maidis infestation is less important on MBB. HP, SFDF, SF, and LE are morphological selection criteria for R. maidis infestation resistance. Proline is a biochemical selection criterion. Genetic and molecular analyses are required to identify genes for programs that enhance durum wheat’s resistance to R. maidis infestations.

In August 2021, very intense fires swept through various forested areas in northern Algeria, particularly in Kabylia. The population dynamics of Cistus salviifolius and Cistus monspeliensis were studied along a post-fire successional gradient during the first nine months (September 2021 – May 2022), in two forest communities: the Cork oak (Quercus suber) and the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests in the coastal zone of Bejaia province. The Cistus spp. germinations were counted monthly in each forest on 10 plots of 1 m2, evenly distributed along 2 transects of 45 m each. The results showed that the majority of germinations occur in December with 207.5 ± 24.2 seedlings in the Cork oak forest and 171.3 ± 18.0 seedlings in the Aleppo pine forest. Student’s t-test does not reveal significant differences for December between the two communities. During the first months following the fire (September and October 2021), germinations were almost absent. The monthly rainfall in September 2021 was estimated at 16.25 mm, an insufficient amount for effective germination. Late germination results in an extension of its period, showed a high rate in January 2022 with 42.2 ± 2.1 and 11.5 ± 0.8 seedlings, respectively, in the Cork oak forest and the pine forest. Beyond January, germination was practically nonexistent in both communities. Therefore, the majority of the seed germination was concentrated in November, December, and January with a unimodal germination pattern.

Wetlands are present within intricate ecological settings, exhibiting dynamic changes over time and across different areas with regard to their functional and structural diversity. Several approaches have been introduced for ecosystem analysis and management since 1990s, where Driver – Pressure – State – Impact – Response (DPSIR) framework is one of the widely used approaches for assessing and managing environmental problems. In this study, we proposed a DPSIR framework as a model in the Sebkhates of Aures wetland complex (SAWC, Northeast of Algeria), in order to create a regional wetland observatory to deliver ecosystem services within current state of changes resulted from socioeconomic drivers. DPSIR facilitates the identification of essential indicators to detect threats to the Sebkahtes of Aures wetlands complex (SAWC), influencing policymakers to enhance the protection and management of these wetlands. In line with the established DPSIR framework. This same approach and methodology could be applied to the other 15 wetlands complexes known in Algeria, culminating in the creation of a national wetland observatory. Furthermore, DPSIR can be employed as an analytical tool for policy making in the context of sustainable management of wetland ecosystems and can serve as a model in the establishment and development of various observatory programs in Algeria.

We analyzed the influence of land use and water physical-chemical characteristics on the trait composition of benthic macroinvertebrates in arid-land streams of North-East Algeria. Macroinvertebrates were sampled in the spring season of 2015, 2017 and 2018 at 36 sampling sites distributed along 5 streams of the Belezma biosphere reserve. Samples were taken from the various substratum types using a Surber net. Most of the variability of the trait-environment relationship was explained by increasing temperature and conductivity along the downstream gradient. Whilst agriculture at higher elevations did not have a great influence on the functional trait composition of macroinvertebrate communities, agriculture and urbanization at lower elevations generated significant deviations from predictable functional structures. Owing to the natural downstream decrease in community diversity in streams of the study region, entire taxa and/or functional groups were more likely to be wiped out in response to anthropogenic perturbations at lower elevations. Despite human activities, climate-related variables in arid lands play a major role on hydrological regimes that effect instream habitats, water chemistry, and macroinvertebrate communities. Given the environmental constraints in arid-land streams of North Africa, even slight increases in anthropogenic pressure can have negative effects on the taxonomic and functional composition of macroinvertebrate communities.