沙漠研究 19-1, 201- 204 (2009 )Journal of Arid Land Studies“Desert Technology IX ”
Refereed Paper

Animal Diversity in the Southern Desert-Environment of Tunisia and Latest
Knowledge of Most Important Species
Mohsen CHAMMEM1, Tim WCHER2, Mohsen JARRAY1, Yves HINGRAT3, Rachid DHAOUI4,Youssef TOUITI5, Touhami KHORCHANI1
Abstract: Surveys in the southern desert-environment of Tunisia, particularly in the Jbil
National Park and its neighbouring areas showed important animal diversity despite the drought
and harsh conditions characterizing those regions. Investigation during recent years hasconcerned three main groups widely known, namely mammals, birds and reptiles, totalling atleast 15, 60 and 10 species in the region respectively. In this paper we are principallyinterested in the Slender-horned gazelle, Dorcas gazelle, and Houbara bustard consideredemblematic species of the desert zone which have potential to contribute to interest inecotourism. The distribution, habitat requirements and the main threats of these species weregiven special attention in this paper in order to contribute in the biodiversity conservation.
Keywords: Animal diversity, Desert, Dorcas gazelle, Houbara bustard, Slender-horned gazelle

1. Introduction
The southern desert environment of Tunisia contains several animal species and constitutes a potential
habitat for populations of the most important component of animal diversity namely, Slender-horned
gazelle (Gazella leptoceros loderi), Dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas) and Houbara bustard (Chlamydotisundulata undulata). These species are rare and under threat due mainly to over hunting poaching andsevere habitat degradation (Lavauden, 1926; Heim de Balzac, 1936; Kacem et al., 1994; Chammem et al.,2003). The exact status and the tendency of their populations are poorly known in Tunisia.
Investigations during the last three years in desert zones, notably in the Jbil National Park (called hereafterPNJ) and its surrounding regions (encompasses approximately 15,000 km2) which is fairly typical fordesert habitat, constitute an important steps to give greater attention to those species for future conservation
management planning in Tunisia. However, to be effective, conservation program efforts require
fundamental information on the actual situation of the population of these species for which there is
paucity of published data. Thus, the major aim of this paper was to provide fundamental information
about distribution, habitat requirements, relative abundance and the main threats. Indeed, such information
concerning these species of high conservation concern should be considered for elaborating long term
conservation programmes in the desert zone which have potential to contribute to interest in ecotourism.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study area
The study was carried out in the (PNJ) and its surrounding areas which were not covered in previousstudies. This zone is characterized by precarious soils and climatic conditions. The climate is very
irregular between seasons and even in the same season, except for the summer (Floret and Pontanier, 1982).
The rains are irregular and scarce with an annual average not exceeding 80 mm. The temperature iscontrasted between hot summer and fresh winter. The average of annual temperature exceeds 20 ˚C.
The average of the maximam of the hottest month is close to 38 ˚C whereas the average of the minimas of
the coldest month is close to 3 ˚C (MEAT, 1995). Moreover, study area is characterized by violent winds
and a strong evapotranspiration (Ozenda, 1977; Floret and Pontanier, 1982). The vegetation covering thisarea are desert type and are characterized by sparse shrubby vegetable (Schoenenberger, 1992; Karem,2003). On the other hand, it is important to notice that the surrounding zones of the enclosed part of the1Laboratoire d’Elevage et de la Faune Sauvage. Institut des Régions Arides (IRA) Médenine, 4119 Tunisie
Zollogical Society of London (ZSL)
3Emirate Center for Wildlife Propagation (ECWP), PoBox 47, 33250, Missour, Maroc
4
Laboratoire de biologie,Faculté des Science Tunis (FST)
5
Direction Générale des Forets, Ministère de l’Agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques. Tunisie
2202Jbil National Park are extensively exploited as pasture for camel, sheep and goats grazing. These regions
are characterized also by tourist activity which spread over long period, from September to May.
2.2. Animals surveys
Investigations have been realized during spring 2006 (23 April to 6 Mai) and autumn 2007 (18October to 2 November). General surveys on routes of 350 km were travelled by foot (Fig. 1) on morningand evening when wind speeds were generally moderate and visibility was fine. Moreover, 83 transects
notably on vegetated cuvettes between the main dunes were covered for gazelles survey in order to sample
density of gazelles signs. Those transect were set at 340 m long by 10 m wide, using combination of GPS
and a 10 m length of cord stretched between observers. All signs or sightings of gazelles, and reliablyinterpreted signs (tracks, midden and dung pellets, sketeral remains) or observations of other wild species
or human activities were recorded throughout the survey.
Regarding Houbara bustard, point count survey on an area of 363 km2 (Fig. 1) which represent it’spotential habitats has been surveyed during breeding seasons 2007 and 2008. Bustard’s distribution sites
were gathered from point count surveys at distance to each other of 2 km from those fixed point counts.
We observed for 15 min per point using binoculars and telescopes. Counting took place early in themorning or later in the afternoon when the Houbara activity is maximal and to avoid hot times when heatmirages could bias the census by hindering detectability (Combreau and Launay, 1996; Launay and Bailey1999). In addition, other locations of Houbaras sighted occasionally or nests or tracks detected duringother periods of surveys on vehicle and on foot were all systematically recorded.

Fig. 1. Study area: routes patrolled and point counting survey.

3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Slender-horned gazelle
The investigations realized during the two periods (spring 2006 and autumn 2007) showed that theSlender-horned gazelle is not widespread in the study area. The total number of the Slender-hornedgazelles observed did not exceed 11 individuals between the two periods (3 gazelles in 2006 and 8 gazellesin 2007) and largely dispersed small flocks. However, presence of gazelles recorded throughobservations of dung piles and tracks revealed that this species is particularly found in the inter-dunalvalleys. In total, 95% of the inter-dunal valleys travelled were occupied. Moreover, according to theinter-dunal valleys surveyed using transect method, we detected signs on 33 and 20 transects among 42 and41 transects surveyed, respectively in 2006 and 2007, corresponding then to occupancy rates of about
78.6% and 48.8%, respectively. Surveys carried out in 2006 showed an average density of 7.37 dungpellets/ha with 5.3 fresh heap/ha. Those dung pellets have been estimated only at 0.53 heap/km with 0.37
fresh heap/km. Regarding midden, it was evaluated at 0.7 and 0.12 midden/km travelled. On the other
hand, the number of tracks was estimated at more than 1 track/ha in the inter-dunal valleys vs 0.17
tracks/km on route. Results showed that the western zones of the (PNJ), surveyed during autumn 2007,
seem to be more suitable for Slender-horned gazelle. Indeed, despite the lower occupation (78.6% in2006 vs 48.8% in 2007) and the similar density of pellet dung (7.7 in 2007 vs 7.34 in 2006) found, allothers indices recorded in spring 2006 are lower than those recorded in autumn 2007 (Table 1). The
difference can go from simple to triple or even more in the case of the tracks index in inter-dunal valleys
which was around 3.9 tracks/ha in 2007 vs 1.05 traces/ha in 2006 or also on route patrolled where we found0.924 track/km in 2007 vs 0.17 track/km in 2006. This difference between the western and eastern zones

203

could be due to several factors such as the climatic conditions which were more suitable during theautumnal season. Furthermore, the western sector seems to be less disturbed by the nomads and tourists.
Indeed, the observations carried out in spring 2006 and autumn 2007 revealed that the presence indices ofnomads and the traces of vehicles were respectively about 26.2 % in 2006 vs 7.3 % 2007 and of 42.9% in2006 vs 14.7% in 2007. Furthermore, it should be noted that the observations carried out in autumn 2007
revealed that the populations of gazelles occupied especially the small inter-dunal valley basins.
Nevertheless, the rather large valleys or those containing water points frequented by nomads as well as
their herds are avoided by the Slender-horned gazelles.
Table1. Results of the Slender-horned gazelle surveys.

Observed gazelles
Dung pellets
MiddenTrack
Observed gazelles
Dung pellets
Midden
Track

2006

2007

Gazelles Sign on Transects(Density/ha)
07.37
0.7
1.05
0
7.7
1.93.90

Gazelles Sign on routes(Index/km)
0.017
0.53
0.12
0.17
0.046
1.442
0.395
0.924

3.2. Houbara bustard
The investigations revealed that the Houbara bustard occupies only one small area which did notexceed 363 km2 (Fig. 2). In fact, no Houbara bustard signs have been found during the Slender-horned
gazelle in 2006 and 2007. This result suggested that this bird inhabit open plains with scatteredvegetations (Brosset, 1961; Gaucher, 1995; Goriup, 1997; Chammem et al., 2003) and avoid difficult
habitats like sandy area (Dementiev, 1968). Indeed, this kind of habitat allows good visibility over long
distances to prevent predator approaches and also good area for breeding biology (Collar, 1980; Johnsgard,1991; Launay et al., 1997; Osborne et al., 1997; Yang and Al, 2003).
During surveys realized on the breeding season 2007 and 2008 on the breeding area of 363 km2, 3 nests
have been found. Moreover, chick traces were also observed between March and April which correspondwith laying period. Concerning display sites, 24 different sites were observed in the most important area
since the first surveys carried out in 2004. During 2007 and 2008, 16 different display sites have been
detected (9 in 2007 and 13 in 2008). Point count survey in 2007 on an area of 255 km2, revealed 7 sites,representing a density of 0,027 mâles/km2, vs 10 sites in 2008, representing 0,04 mâles/km2.

Fig. 2. Areas distribution of Houbara bustard and Dorcas gazelle (b).

3.3. Dorcas gazelle
The surveys of the Dorcas gazelle showed its low density in the (PNJ). Direct observations werecarried out in few occasions during the four last years, particularly on the plain and the mountainous areas(Fig. 2), where we found only one gazelle or small flocks (less than 3 gazelles). The greatest flock counting

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6 individuals was observed in autumn 2007. This species seems to avoid the sandy area. Indeed, during
the two surveys period carried out in 2006 and 2007, no gazelle was observed on dunes nor in inter-dunalvalley. Moreover no signs were detected in the habitat occupied by the Slender-horned gazelle. Therefore,
if we consider that Dorcas gazelle inhabit only the plain and particularly the mountainous area of the (PNJ),
the density of the Dorcas gazelle can be estimated to 0.16 gazelles/km2. Regarding indices, we found anaverage of 1.87 midden/ha in the occupied area of which 85% were found in mountainous areas. However,
only rate of 12% and 3% were respectively found in depressions, and in plains or in ravines and wadis. This
result indicated that mountainous habitats were suitable for this generalist species in this desert environment(Dupuy, 1967; Osborn and Helmy, 1980; Kacem et al., 1994; Mallon and Kingswood, 2001) and which could
be dictated by food availability or security factors (Grettenberger, 1987).
4. Conclusion
The desert environment of southern Tunisia constitutes an important habitat for gazelles and Houbara
bustard. Surveys showed that Slender-horned gazelle inhabits dune regions particularly inter-dunal
valleys of the (PNJ) and its surrounding areas. This species was more detected in the central and thewestern part of the park. However the two other emblematic species namely Houbara bustard and gazelle
Dorcas they are scarcely detected in the dune. Their habitats were limited to north eastern part of the(PNJ), and they were particularly detected on plain and mountainous areas. This study showed that thosespecies are in decline notably if we look to their limited number observed and their low estimated densityof signs. Human disturbance in particular pastoral land activities and over hunting seem to be the mostimportant causes of this situation. Thus, greater efforts were needed in order to conserve them. In thisregard, the creation of Jbil National Park will contribute to conserve not only these endangered species, butalso the whole associated fauna.
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