Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECTS OF HUMAN PRESSURE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF MACACA SYLVANUS IN THE SECTOR OF AIT OUABANE,NATIONAL PARK OF THE DJURDJURA, ALGERIA

Mohammed Oudahmane, Aissa Moali and Farid Bekdouche

Abstract

The pastoralism too is present in the territory of the National Park of Djurdjura (N.P.D) In front of increasing number of the livestock frequenting the N.P.D and its settlement, the extensive breeding appears as a major constraint of management. Indeed, this system of breeding affects the animal communities and the functioning of these ecosystems. This system of breeding contributes to the overgrazing which in his turn leads to the degradation of the natural ecosystems by increasing the risk of erosion, the settlement of the ground, the loss of the biodiversity, etc. These constraints have a negative impact on the food behavior and the movements of the populations of the Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus) towards some villages. These movements are sometimes at the origin of conflicts with the inhabitants who see their harvests Threatened. Macaca sylvanus is moreover considered as a biological indicator of the quality of an ecosystem, as a forest. In our study, we noticed a very strong pressure on pastures due in a livestock more and more numerous and a very remarkable settlement. The rural populations of the N.P.D do not encourage the mobility of their herds, added to it there almost disappearance of the practice of the transhumance. The absence of shepherd in the driving of the herd generates an additional pressure on behalf of the herds on numerous endemic plants listed in the N.P.D. Nevertheless, solutions exist to limit the negative impact of the extensive breeding on the natural ecosystems. We can provide an awareness campaign in the direction of the local populations with the aim to return to the transhumance, maintaining the size of animals at acceptable levels and rehabilitating the function of shepherd.