This paper presents the first syntaxonomic conspectus of the forest and scrub communities of Northern Algeria. The communities belong mainly to the zonal classes such as the Quercetea ilicis, Quercetea pubescentis and Junipero-Pinetea sylvestris (new to Algeria). The azonal vegetation is represented by four classes: Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae , Salicetea purpureae , Alnetea glutinosae Franguletea (the latter being recognized in Algeria for the first time). We attempted to include all known syntaxa as featured in both regular and grey literature; many of those still await effective publication or formal validation. The paper also presents formal descriptions (and/or validations) of one new order, 12 new alliances, and 15 new associations.

Abstract : BRIGUICHE. H, ZIDANE. L. Floristic And Ethnobotanical Studies Of Medicinal Plants Of The City Of El -Jadida (MOROCCO). In the framework of the ethnobotanical studies on medicinal plants undertaken by the Laboratory of Biodiversity and Natural Resources of the Faculty of Sciences of Kenitra (Morocco), we are interested in the area of El Jadida which presents a rather important floristic richness thanks to changes in its ecological conditions By using 204 questionnaire, the ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the field during the years 2012-2013. The location of the different sampling sites was determined by the stratified sampling method. The analysis of the results obtained from the questionnaires and forms using statistical processing allowed us to identify 70 plant species distributed in 69 genera and 37 families. These results also show that most of these species are mainly used in the care of the digestive system and respiratory system. The seed is the most used part in local traditional medicines and the decoction is the most frequent mode with a rate of 31%. The species Origanum compactum is the most used by the population of the city of El Jadida 47 quotes.

Morphological, anatomical and physiological plant and leaf traits of A. distorta , an endemic species of the Central Apennines on the Majella Massif, growing at 2,675 m a.s.l, were analyzed. The length of the phenological cycle starts immediately after the snowmelt at the end of May, lasting 128 ± 10 days. The low A. distorta height (H max = 64 ± 4 mm) and total leaf area (TLA= 38 ± 9 cm 2 ) associated to a high leaf mass area (LMA =11.8±0.6 mg cm −2 ) and a relatively high leaf tissue density (LTD = 124.6±14.3 mg cm −3 ) seem to be adaptive traits to the stress factors of the environment where it grows. From a physiological point of view, the high A. distorta photosynthetic rates ( P N =19.6 ± 2.3 µmol m −2 s −1 ) and total chlorophyll content (Chl a + b = 0.88 ± 0.13 mg g −1 ) in July are justified by the favorable temperature. P N decreases by 87% in September at the beginning of plant senescence. Photosynthesis and leaf respiration ( R D ) variations allow A. distorta to maintain a positive carbon balance during the growing season becoming indicative of the efficiency of plant carbon use. The results could be an important tool for conservation programmes of the A. distorta wild populations.

Here we provide new records for the Natural Park of Las Arribes del Duero (Salamanca-Zamora) regarding six rare and endangered plants in western central Iberia. We also discuss different aspects from the point of view of conservation and the current status of new populations.

The cooperatives and associations in the medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) sector are completely dependent on thepressure of market demand, and their products need to comply with required quality criteria and delivery time constraints.We conducted a survey of the activities of the cooperatives and associations involved in the production of genetic plant resourcesand their socioeconomic impact in order to identify the problems affecting this sector, and to improve the MAP’sproduction conditions and the income of the marginalized rural population. This survey looked at 11 associations and cooperativesoperating in the Meknès-Tafilalt area in Morocco. The results of the botanical survey identified 30 species from12 families, exploited in their natural state for commercial use. The total annual production is 494 tons of dried plants. Rosemaryis the most widely used, with 23% of the total production, 19% of which is produced by the Ajaâbou Cooperative.However, the exploitation of these species in their natural state is haphazard, and presents a threat to the sustainability ofresources. The products are not properly identified, and few producers use good technical harvesting practices. To improvesustainable commercial potential and the competitiveness of the products, MAP cooperatives and associations should incorporatepractical standards of quality, traceability, good collection and cultivation of the species.

This paper presents some results of research into vegetation diversity in water bodies and streams in Baikal Siberia, aregion in southeast Siberia. The article contains the original diagnoses of five new associations (Callitricho palustris-Subularietumaquaticae, Lemno turioniferae-Thacletum natantis, Ceratophyllo demersi-Eleocharitetum mamillatae, Cariceumpseudocuraicae, Scirpetum orientalis), the typification of one existing association name (Glycerietum spiculosae),and the correction of another name: Tephroseridetum palustris Mirkin & al. 1985.

Altitude, temperature and precipitation are important environmental variables in the circumscription of endemic plants’ biogeographic distributions. Taking in account their present distribution, this work studies the distribution trends of 116 endemic and subendemic species that occur on the western Iberian Peninsula and north-western Morocco, in different scenarios of future climate change. It was possible to identify five groups of taxa in the present environmental conditions, four of which for the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula. This range can partially be explained by the altitudinal variability of such area. The other group distributes along the western of the Iberian Peninsula. Concerning future climate change scenarios, important changes in species distribution, and a general south-north trend were obtained. Under harsher climatic changes, only the groups that tolerate the most variable environmental conditions persist. Estimates of extinction rates of the studied taxa for the next 75 years scenarios are also presented. The present methodology allow the application of ecological indicators (environmental groups, in this case) to characterize bioclimatic trends.

We studied a lichen community from 300 ha of native Espinal forest under different types of management, classified into the following sectors: temporary grazing, adjacent crops, landscaped, and conserved. We observed 20 trees in each sector, identified lichen species and measured coverage in grids of 0.2 x 0.2 m. We compared alpha and beta diversity plus coverage by sector using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. We also applied a Multiple Response Permutation Procedure, a Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling multivariate analysis and the Indicator Species Analysis to test associations. We found 34 species of lichens. Physciaceae was the dominant family in the community. Total lichen coverage was highest in the temporary grazing sector and lowest in the conserved sector. No significant differences were found in alpha diversity among sectors; however, beta diversity was higher in the conserved sector. Multivariate analysis also showed that different management practices determine changes in community composition.

As part of an ethnobotanical exploration among the Berbers of Marmoucha in the Middle Atlas in Morocco, a floristic analysis is conducted to inventory the existing plants and assess the extent of plant diversity in this area. Located in the eastern part of the Middle Atlas, the Marmoucha is characterized by the presence of various ecosystems ranging from oak and juniperus forests to alfa steppes and altitude cold areas with thorny plants. The fieldwork was conducted over the five years 2008-2012 using surveys and informal techniques. The results show that the number of species recorded in Marmoucha is 514 distributed over 83 families and 323 genera, representing 13.1%, 54% and 30% of species, families and genera at the national level, respectively. With 92 species, the Asteraceae is the richest family, representing 18% of the total reported in the Marmoucha local flora. In second and third places, the two richest families are the Poaceae and the Fabaceae, respectively. From a comparative perspective, the ranking of the eight richest families of the local flora in relation to their position in the national flora reveals a significant match between the positions at local and national levels with slight ranking differences except in the case of the Rosaceae and the Caryophyllaceae. The Asteraceae count 26% of the 50 identified endemic plants in Marmoucha. In Morocco, the Asteraceae holds the first place in terms of species richness and the third in terms of endemic plants with a rate of 24%. With respect to the genera level, local endemism roughly reflects national endemism, with at least one species in four of the five genera rich in endemics (Ononis, Teucrium, Astragalus, and Centaurea). There are 40 species and subspecies considered rare or endangered, distributed in 16 families. With 11 species, the Asteraceae represents 28% of the total of inventoried rare and endangered species. Marmoucha’s floristic heritage is characterized by high diversity and significant importance of endemic, rare, and endangered species. Available information on these species is scarce to inexistent and can be classified among the least studied and least known plants. Therefore, it is imperative to pay further attention to these plants for conservation purposes and if a red list is to be developed in Morocco, it is not inappropriate to begin with these species.

Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl. is a plant of Iberian Peninsula origin that belongs to the genus Salvia. Phytochemical evaluation of the plant indicated the presence of flavonoids, triterpenoids, diterpenoids and monoterpenes. Its essential oil is rich in various bioactive compounds (like 1,8-cineole or α-pinene). The plant has been traditionally used for its spasmolytic, antiseptic, analgesic, sedative and anesthesic activities. Pharmacological studies of the plant have demonstrated its reputation as aromatic plant to enhance memory and anti-dementia drug by the inhibition of cholinesterase enzyme. The species also possesses a wide range of pharmacological uses including: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic and central nervous system depressant properties, relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer´s disease. The present review summarizes the information concerning the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and toxicity of the Salvia lavandulifolia plant, because these findings suggest the need for further research of this plant.