Ilots de Rass kaboudia (Chebba, Tunisie Est) : Diversité écosystémique et spécifique et potentialité pour la mise en place d’une aire marine et côtière protégée

Abstract

The aim of this survey is to study terrestrial and marine vegetation in the 3 islets of Rass Kaboudia in Chebba (Eastern Tunisia). Prospecting was conducted during February and March 2017 around the three islands. The results show high diversity marine ecosystems. The Posidonia meadows are in very good vitality and very diverse (plain meadow, tiger meadow and fringing reef). Cymodocea nodosa, Cystoseira, photophilous macroalgae and sciaphilic macroalgae are also present. In addition, we have reported the presence of the lessepsian marine Magnoliophyte species Halophila stipulacea. On the three islets (Gattaya, Edzira Sghira and Djbel), the results show that the soil is sandy (arenosol type). Terrestrial plants vary according to the proximity of the sea, soil salinity and topography. These plants are mostly halophytic in the south of the islets (Halocnemum strobilaceum, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera ..). On the Northeast coast of the large islet (Gattaya), the vegetation changes and dominated by Medicago littoralis, Cakile maritima, Sporobolus pungens which are characteristics of coastal dunes. This exceptional marine and terrestrial ecosystem richness and diversity in a very small area, as well as the mosaic of habitats, is a strong argument for the establishment of a Marine and Coastal Protected Area (MCPA) to ensure protection for all 3 islands, both on land and at sea.