Marine endemic species in Tunisia: Biogeography and ecological state in front of anthropogenic activities and climate change, 1. Flora

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot of biodiversity, and has a relatively high rate of endemism. In Tunisia, around 35% of marine species are threatened, and Tunisian marine waters seem to have a high rate of endemism. Several factors, linked to anthropogenic activities and climate change, have threatened marine biodiversity, mainly endemic species and their habitats. Given the lack of inventory and data on marine endemic species in Tunisia, this work establishes a non-exhaustive list of marine endemic macrophytes (including seagrasses and macroalgae) present in Tunisia. A description of the status of the listed species was given with the biogeographical distribution areas and main threats.

In total, about twenty marine endemic flora species are inventoried in this work, including one Magnoliophyta (Posidonia oceanica) and the others are macroalgae.