Format: ORAL

SARMOUM Mohamed (1), ABDOUN Fatiha (2)

1Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Soil Culture, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Ibn Khaldoun University, PO Box 78Zaaroura, Tiaret, Algeria. mohamed.sarmoum@univ-tiaret.dz 2 Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), BP 32 El Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Alger, Algeria.

In the context of global and climatic changes which prevail today, many trees are threatened with disappearance. Algeria is a vast country which is located between two large geographical areas: Mediterranean (Northern Algeria) and desert (Southern Algeria). This situation has generated a remarkable diversity of habitats and ecosystems. Unfortunately, global and climatic changes have negatively affected this diversity (deforestation, grazing, desertification, forest dieback, etc.). Among the important elements of this biodiversity, relict trees occupy an important place in the landscapes. Having lived in different geological eras, these trees are witnesses to the environmental changes that have taken place over millions of years. They also constitute a natural heritage of great ecological, economic and cultural value which must be preserved for future generations. In this work, we present the state of knowledge on the relict trees of Algeria, their ecological and biogeographical status, the threats and the problems linked to their conservation under global and climatic changes.