STUDY OF THE SOIL’S DIVERSITY OF THE OULED BECHIH FOREST, SOUK-AHRAS (NORTH EAST OF ALGERIA)Nebbache Saloua1*, Samai Ibtissem2, Aounallah Ouafia3, AMRI Naziha4, Kara Lilia5, Zentar Amina6 and Kissoum Nesrine7Abstract Northern Algeria has a real forestry potential that can be developed for the production of woody resources for the industrial and economic development of the country as well as for the protection of the environment and even for social purposes near densely populated centers. The forest of Ouled Bechih occupies an area of 6582 ha, it is known by the diversity of its ecosystems, it is in this area that can be described as one of the most beautiful rainforests of North Africa, thanks to its geographical position and its diversity both biotic and biotic. And it is considered a regional park in the process of creation. To study and determine the diversity of the soil cover of this forest we based on a sampling of soils in three stations which were randomly undertaken in the forest and chosen according to their plant composition. The three types of formation selected here are: the subera (Quercus suber) which is located at the bottom of the forest, the zenaie (Quercus canariensis) which is located at the top of the forest and the mixed forest of cork oak and zea oak, which is located in the middle of the forest, then we made several physicochemical analyses such as: the granulometry, the hydrogen potential, the electrical conductivity, the hygroscopic humidity, the organic matter and the porosity. The results showed a very highly diversified soil substrate which is exposed to several ecological and climatic factors such as, the nature of the vegetation cover and climate, altitude, etc. The characterization and determination of the soils of this forest have allowed to divide these soils into three categories: soils moderately acidic, not calcareous, with a clayey-silt texture and which is moderately rich in organic matter. Soils with a clayey texture, which do not retain water, with a clearly acidic character and which are rich in organic matter. And non-saline, acidic, coarse-textured soils that develop at very high altitudes. The results obtained show a clear richness and diversity of the soils of the forest of Ouled Bechih (Souk-Ahras), and that there is an important link between the nature of existing plant groups and its substrate. And it is imperative to preserve this natural wealth to protect the forest ecosystem and the environment. |