Species diversity, chorology and conservation of the lichen flora in Tessala Mountains forest (North-West Algeria)

Abstract

This study is a first investigation of the lichen flora of the Tessala Mountains green oak forest in northwestern Algeria. Field research using stratified sampling method allowed us to propose a first checklist of the lichen flora of this region containing 53 taxa with taxonomic, chorological and biogeographical data in North-West Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) of each of them. Among these lichens, 3 taxa are cited for the first time for the NW Africa. Comments on some interesting species are added, especially those with wide distribution reported currently only in Algeria, which are to be found in neighboring countries (Morocco, Tunisia). Finally, 17 taxa present in our list are protected by the Algerian law. The forest of Tessala Mountains must urgently benefit from an official protection status in order to preserve this lichen biodiversity of proven interest.