The community of nematodes (Nematoda: Secernentea) in groves of North East Algeria, has been the subject of regular observations of September 2011 to May 2012. Sampling and extraction of nematodes by the buckets technique are conducted following the method of Baermann. The sampling groves are composed by olive trees (Olea europea: Oleaceae) from four varieties: Chemlal, Sigoise, Frontoï and Sévillane. We identified a total of 531 individuals. The systematic inventory revealed 14 genus of Nematoda, belonging to 10 families and 3 orders. The Tylenchida and Dorylaimida are the best represented orders. They represent 92.85% of the total community of all identified nematodes, while Aphelenchida represent only 7.15%. The genus Pratylenchus records alone 54.75% on the Sévillane variety and 33.02% on the Frantoi variety. The most represented genus on Sigoise and Chemlal varieties is Meloidogyne with respectively 43.24% and 30.43%. Grove of Sévillane variety hosts the highest abundance of nematodes with 57.44%; against only 19.96%, 13.94% and 8.66%, respectively, for the varieties Frantoi, Sigoise and Chemlal. Depending on the seasons, nematodes are more abundant in autumn (88.52%) than in winter (8.66%) and the spring (2.82%). Pratylenchus and Meloidogyne are noted with large numbers, especially in winter.

This research work deals with the problem of karst sinkhole collapse occurring in the last few years in Cheria area (NE Algeria). This newly revealed phenomenon is of a major constrain in land use planning and urbanization, it has become necessary to locate and assess the stability of these underground features before any planning operation. Several exploration methods for the localization of underground cavities have been considered. Geological survey, discontinuity analysis, resistivity survey [ground penetrating radar has not been used as most of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary filling deposit covering Eocene limestone contains clay layers which limits the applicability of the method (Roth et al. in Eng Geol 65:225–232, 2002)] and borehole drilling were undertaken in order to locate underground cavities and assess their depth, geometry, dimensions, etc. Laboratory testing and field work were also undertaken in order to determine both intact rock and rock mass properties. All the rock mechanics testing and measurement were undertaken according to the ISRM recommendations. It has been found that under imposed loading, the stability of the karst cavities depends on the geo-mechanical parameters (RMR, Rock Mass Rating; GSI, Geological Strength Index; E, Young modulus) of the host rock as well as the depth and dimensions of the gallery. It increases with RMR, GSI, E and depth and decreases as the cavity becomes wider. Furthermore, the calculation results show that a ratio (roof thickness to gallery width) of 0.3 and more indicate, a stable conditions. The results obtained in this work allow identifying and assessing the stability of underground karst cavities. The methodology followed in this paper can be taken as a road map in the establishment of a hazard map related to the studied phenomenon. This map will be a useful tool for the future urban extension planning in Cheria area.

El Outaya plain is located on the southern flank of the Aures Mountains, as part of the Saharan Atlas. It has an arid climate (less than 200 mm of rainfall / year). The Mio-Pliocene aquifer associated with this plain is an important resource for irrigation and drinking water. Achieving the first hydrodynamic model of the Mio-Pliocene ground water in El Outaya plain, with different operating scenarios and using the Visual Mod-flow code, shall contribute to the development of an action plan for a rational management of water resources.In addition, the model was calibrated to steady state conditions and then transient state conditions in order to prepare conductivity and porosity maps that characterize the spatial variability, in relation with the geological heterogeneity of the aquifer. Different operating scenarios indicated that the northern part of the plain is fairly vulnerable to feeding and exploitation conditions.