Protective Effects of Vegetation in the Chambi National Park in Tunisia

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of long-term protective management for conserving native vegetation and species composition. The field survey was performed in Chambi National Park, located in west-central Tunisia. Species composition differed between the protected sites and the unprotected site. At the unprotected site, economically valuable plants were lost. At sites where Stipa tenacissima dominated, species diversity and species richness were notably lower. Our results suggest that the species composition of the area has changed as people have overharvested plant materials for medicine and food as well as for livestock feed. It is necessary to conserve the nature of the region but also to understand the needs of local residents. We submit that control of Stipa tenacissima is important to conserve species diversity. Future vegetation management should work to conserve the diversity of bioresources in protected areas.