Les ressources génétiques forestières nord-africaines et leur conservation

Abstract

North African forest resources have experienced a significant decline over a few hundred years. Two thousands years ago, forests stretched almost continuously from the Atlantic to the Libyan desert and from Mediterranean to the Sahara desert. Forest genetic resources in North Africa are seriously threatened by adverse ecological changes and human pressures. From an ecological point of view, rapid climate changes will subject present-day forest species to further selection pressures for which they may not be well adapted due to the already high degree of genetic erosion of certain species. Relict species and/or species with a restricted distribution area are highly endangered and maintaining them would require vigorous conservation measures to be taken.