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We carried out a study on dynamics of the Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, a synanthropic rallid (Aves, Gruiformes), to elucidate the adverse effects this species has possibly suffered from the markedly increased habitat degradation that has been taking place over the last decades at Boussedra Pond, north-eastern Algeria. During the period 2015–2018, this wetland-related species showed an annual 35.4% decrease in its numbers, and the number of breeding pairs, which was monitored between 2008 and 2018, experienced an annual drop of 4.9%. The clutch size, a key determinant of breeding performance, averaged 4.7 ± 1.0 eggs (N = 26 clutches) in 2018 and was significantly lower than those reported in previous studies. As a result of anthropogenic activities, the size of the marsh decreased by more than 50% over the 1984–2018 period. The long-lasting shrinkage of this relict wetland was accompanied by the expansion of built-up areas (>50%) and cultivated plots, and, also, by a marked reduction in natural both wet- and dry-land habitats in its vicinity. We suggest that the decrease in the population trend and the breeding performance of the Common Moorhen could be indicative of the species stress response to the long-lasting land conversion, pressuring the relict habitat of Boussedra Pond.

In contrast to neighbouring Maghrebian countries and despite recent progress, knowledge of the Ephemeroptera of Algeria remains fragmentary. As part of an ongoing survey of the Ephemeroptera of Algeria, we investigated the mayfly fauna of Wadi Cherf, a major tributary of the Seybouse River, northeastern Algeria, and present an updated checklist and distribution of Ephemeroptera of this major Maghrebian river. Eighteen species were identified with new records for northeastern Algeria, filling distributional gaps. In addition, two species, Habrophlebia sp. and Procloeon sp., are new to science. A multivariate analysis indicated that mayfly assemblages of the Seybouse River were driven by the physical characteristics of habitats. Species richness was positively correlated with permanent flow and coarse substrate and negatively associated with altitude and salinity. Results also showed that Caenis luctuosa and Baetidae, in particular Baetis gr. pavidus and Cloeon gr. dipterum, dominated the mayfly community.

The habitat selection of two abundant and widespread Palearctic rallids (Coot Fulica atra; Moorhen Gallinula chloropus) across a range of wetland types was investigated. The distribution of these two species varied according to water depth, as implied by the dominant vegetation present in the study area. Coots most frequently used wet dune slacks dominated by Phragmites australis, whereas Moorhens were mostly present in anthropized ecotones. It is hypothesized that because these two rallid species respond differently to various environmental pressures, they could be used as useful indicators for biomonitoring remnant wetlands. Indeed, they are relatively generalist, common, widespread and medium‐sized species, relatively easy to detect and exhibit a high sensitivity to specific water‐related habitat types, also at a small‐scaled spatial resolution.

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are a major link in food webs in temporary ponds and useful indicators of wetlands’ecological integrity. We investigated the available trophic resources and the physicochemical quality of 14 wetlands frequented by glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), a resident species with an increasing population in Numidia, northeast Algeria. Sampling of temporary ponds was carried out in winter and early spring, prior to the Glossy Ibis’ breeding period. Analyses indicated that the studied waterbodies contained a rich and diversified aquatic community, dominated mainly by insects and molluscs and characterized by a spatio-temporal change in composition and abundance, reflecting a spatial heterogeneity and a temporal niche partitioning of various members of the aquatic community. Furthermore, the density of Glossy Ibis in foraging areas changed seasonally and declined significantly with the distance to the nearest roost. In the context of climate change and human encroachment, the close dependence of Glossy Ibis and other waders on a matrix of secure roosts and temporary ponds during the nonbreeding season puts them in jeopardy unless these imperilled but generally unprotected habitats are actively managed.

North African streams and rivers face multiple anthropogenic stressors, and their aquatic fauna is rapidly dwindling before comprehensive knowledge of their distribution and ecology has been attained. We investigated the distribution and life cycle of the Maghrebian endemic Ecdyonurus rothschildi Navas, 1929 in northeastern Algeria. The species was recorded both from permanent and intermittent freshwater habitats with stony substrate. It exhibited pronounced sexual dimorphism, with F-0 females being significantly larger than F-0 males. Three generations were completed during an annual multivoltine cycle. The first generation extended from October to February/March, the second spanned the months of March to June, and the third stretched from June to the end of September/October. We argue that monitoring of E. rothschildi could prove useful for assessing the rapid changes affecting North African hydrosystems, which are in need of adequate management.

Investigating how Mediterranean wetlands respond to adjacent land use conversion, is an important first step in mitigating the impact of human encroachment and other environmental stressors. We monitored the composition and structure of waterbird assemblages, in a Mediterranean urban marsh, subjected to severe anthropogenic pressures. Remote sensing indicated that in the last two decades Boussedra Pond was subjected to landfill, resulting in a substantial reduction (~ 50 %) of the marsh, while due to a lack of urban planning urban built-up and agriculture areas expanded considerably in its surroundings. This precipitous reduction of the size of this urban pond threatens the diversity of its resident waterbirds which include the globally Endangered (EN) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala, the Near-Threatened (NT) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and many other staging and wintering migratory species. The long-term study suggested that breeding waterbirds species responded differentially to the loss and degradation of the marsh, as highlighted by the apparent resilience of the synanthropic Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and the disappearance of several breeding marsh specialists, such as the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus and the Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. The study also points out the need for both a coordinated cross-sectorial land use planning and an immediate, affordable and sustainable wetland conservation action.

We investigated the odonates of Wadi Cherf, a tributary of Wadi Seybouse, and explored the main environmental factors that may be important drivers of the abundance and diversity of Odonata assembl...

The breeding distribution of the Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica in Algeria is poorly known as the species is mainly associated with highly unstable habitats. We conducted a survey of the distribution of the species across all major Algerian wetlands and monitored a breeding colony at El Goléa during 2009. The species is usually described as a passage migrant in the Sahara, but its status may have to be reconsidered following our discovery of a small colony nesting on an islet in Sebkhet El Maleh, El Goléa. The colony consisted of 25 birds which built nine nests and foraged exclusively in and around the salt lake. Laying of eggs began in mid-April, in synchrony with high temperatures and strong evaporation. Clutches varied between 1 and 3 eggs but none was successful. The gradual drop in water level and subsequent drying of the Sebkha coincided with the first hatchings, exposing the first hatchlings to mammalian predation arising from the intrusion of jackals Canis aureus, which entirely destroyed the colony.

In arid North Africa, dune ponds qualify as hotspots of aquatic biodiversity, offering numerous sustainable ecosystem services. Despite mounting anthropogenic pressures that threaten their integrity, the overall consequences of these changes have yet to be documented and no strategy to mitigate potential impacts is being implemented. We monitored four dune ponds in northeast Algeria during five hydrological cycles spanning the period 1996–2013. The analysis revealed a steep decline in species richness (47%) and abundance (94%) over the study period. Remote sensing-based data indicated that marked human-induced changes in and around these dune ponds have over time led to a substantial expansion of built areas and cultivated plots and a reduction in both natural wet- and dry-land habitats. Fish predation by the introduced fish, Gambusia holbrooki, may have had both direct and indirect impacts on notonectids. We argue that aquatic hemipterans have undergone an alarming reduction driven by a combination of invasive species, human encroachment, agricultural runoffs, and possibly, climate change.

The stoneflies of the Maghreb (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) are characterized by high endemicity but their ecology remains poorly known. We have surveyed the stonefly assemblages of northeastern Algeria mountain streams, a relatively unstudied region, and attempted to identify through co-inertia analysis the environmental correlates of their distribution. Species richness varied from nine taxa in the most species-rich localities to a single taxon in some anthropogenically impacted localities. Results indicated a significant co-structure between ecological descriptors and stonefly distribution and frequency of occurence. Mountain stream stonefly assemblages differed according to water conductivity, altitude, anthropogenic impacts, and spring proximity. The frequent occurrence of Afroperlodes lecerfi, Brachyptera auberti and Tyrrenoleuctra tangerina was indicative of high altitude, intermittent streams whereas Amphinemura berthelemy, Eoperla ochracea and Leuctra sartori favoured permanent, low-altitude headwaters. Conversely, Leuctra cf. vaillanti seemed to tolerate low altitude sites characterized by high water conductivity, large bed width and fast flow. This study also highlights the diversity of the Maghrebian endemic or microendemic stoneflies harbored by relict lotic streams and their sensitivity towards anthropogenic stressors.

Despite their ecological and socio-economic significance, the black fly communities of Algerian hydrosystems have been understudied. The simuliid fauna of relict mountain streams of northeastern Algeria was sampled at 24 localities in two distinct and relatively uncharted watersheds. Species richness in the El Kala Highlands varied from eight taxa in the most species-rich localities to the virtual absence of any taxon in some localities. Species richness also mirrored the hydroperiod of most localities and reached its peak in late winter/early spring. Co-inertia analysis indicated a significant co-structure between environmental descriptors and black fly assemblages, suggesting a strong influence of the habitat templet on aquatic insect community structure. A comparison with an additional survey of 23 localities spread across northern Algeria suggests distinct black fly assemblages characterizing the El Kala Highlands.

Wetlands are critically important for biodiversity and human wellbeing, but face a range of challenges. This is especially true in the Mediterranean region, where wetlands support endemic and threatened species and remain integral to human societies, but have been severely degraded in recent decades. Here, in order to raise awareness of future challenges and opportunities for Mediterranean wetlands, and to inform proactive research and management, we identified (a) 50 key issues that might affect Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050, and (b) 50 important research questions that, if answered, would have the greatest impact on the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050. We gathered ideas through an online survey and review of recent literature. A diverse assessment panel prioritised ideas through an iterative, anonymised, Delphi-like process of scoring, voting and discussion. The prioritised issues included some that are already well known but likely to have a large impact on Mediterranean wetlands in the next 30 years (e.g. the accumulation of dams and reservoirs, plastic pollution and weak governance), and some that are currently overlooked in the context of Mediterranean wetlands (e.g. increasing desalination capacity and development of antimicrobial resistance). Questions largely focused on how best to carry out conservation interventions, or understanding the impacts of threats to inform conservation decision-making. This analysis will support research, policy and practice related to environmental conservation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean, and provides a model for similar analyses elsewhere in the world., Arcadia, WJS is funded by Arcadia.

Investigating how Mediterranean wetlands respond to adjacent land use conversion, is an important first step in mitigating the impact of human encroachment and other environmental stressors. We monitored the composition and structure of waterbird assemblages, in a Mediterranean urban marsh, subjected to severe anthropogenic pressures. Remote sensing indicated that in the last two decades Boussedra Pond was subjected to landfill, resulting in a substantial reduction (~ 50%) of the marsh, while due to a lack of urban planning urban built-up and agriculture areas expanded considerably in its surroundings. Seasonal changes in the diversity of waterbirds, including the globally Endangered (EN) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and the Near-Threatened (NT) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, reflected the importance of the site as a staging and wintering area for many migratory species. The long-term study also suggested that breeding waterbirds species respond differentially to the loss and degradation of habitats, as highlighted by the resilience of the synanthropic Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and the disappearance of several breeding marsh specialists, like the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus and the Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. The study points out the need for both a coordinated cross-sectorial land use planning and an immediate, affordable and sustainable wetland conservation action.

Despite being recorded in Algeria since the nineteenth century, the genus Rhithrogena has never been the object of a taxonomical study and no identified species is known from this country. Investigations of the relict mountain streams of El Kala, north-eastern Algeria, have led to the discovery of a Rhithrogena population. Morphological and molecular analyses identified the species as the Maghrebian endemic Rhithrogena sartorii, so far known only from neighboring Tunisia. We report on the species’ distribution, status, and life cycle and discuss its potential role as a bioindicator in environmental monitoring.

Knowledge of the basic life history traits of an aquatic organism such as voltinism and growth patterns is a fundamental step in understanding its potential use as indicator taxon and how it adapts to its complex environment. The distribution and life cycle of the Maghrebian endemic Choroterpes atlas Soldan & Thomas, 1983 was studied over a two year period. Random forest classification indicated that the species occupied both permanent and intermittent streams with high water depth, large river bed width and strong water flow. Density-based clustering of body measurements allowed the identification of last-instar nymphs which exhibited a significant sexual dimorphism: F-0 females were significantly larger than corresponding males. In addition, size-frequency plots and generalized additive models indicated that C. atlas exhibited a multivoltine annual cycle with three overlapping generations. Nymphal growth of the first generation happened in winter and spring with emergence occurring in June/July. The second generation grew from June/July to September whereas the third generation was completed from August/September to November. GAMs also indicated that body size varied significantly between years. The large regional distribution, habitat requirement, and phenology of C. atlas may ideally complement the potential use of Ecdyonurus rothschildi as a useful environmental indicator for North African streams and rivers.

As an essential component of lotic habitats, aquatic insects have commonly been used as bio-indicators of the ecological integrity of lotic habitats. However, recent large-scale declines have given rise to concerns about freshwater ecosystems functioning correctly. During three consecutive years, we surveyed Wadi Cherf, Upper Seybouse, Algeria, and employed the size-frequency distribution of head capsule width to sketch the life history of Oligoneuriopsis skhounate, an Ibero-Maghrebian endemic mayfly, whose distribution and ecology are not so well-known known. O. skhounate exhibited a seasonal univoltine summer cycle with growth and development taking place during the warmest period of the year (late spring to early autumn). The absence of nymphs during winter and the presence of last instar nymphs from July to November suggested a lengthy egg diapause, following the aestivo-autumnal emergence and reproduction. The study also raises the issue of freshwater biodiversity conservation in North Africa by highlighting the case of O. skhounate, acting as an indicator species of important but vulnerable aquatic ecosystems.

We studied the phenology, habitat selection, and interannual and seasonal changes in breeding performance of the little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis in relation to the spatial structure of a shallow lake during three breeding seasons (2010–2012). Nests were mostly located in shallow waters, close to the shore (98.3 ± 37.9 cm), in vegetation dominated by Scirpus lacustris. The egg-laying period started at the end of March and extended for four months until the end of July. Overall, the mean clutch size was 4.7 ± 1.1 (N = 154) with a modal clutch of 5. There was a seasonal decline in both egg volume and clutch size. The overall nesting success was 60% and the chief causes of nest failure were predation (52%) and adverse weather (20%). Breeding outcome was influenced by water depth, nest size and year of breeding. Predation and nest flooding markedly varied between years. Larger nests had a higher nesting success than smaller ones. Likewise, nests located at greater water depth (further from the shore) succeeded better than ones located in shallower water. As the little grebe forages preferentially in shallow waters, these results suggest that optimal nesting locations may be the result of a trade-off between conflicting selection pressures such as foraging efficiency (better in shallow waters) and nest predation risk (greater in shallow waters).

Rallids are good biological models to monitor anthropogenic changes to wetlands. The distribution of the Rallidae was mapped up during a survey of all major wetlands across Algeria and nest site selection, phenology, and breeding parameters of the Purple Swamp-Hen Porphyrio porphyrio were monitored at two distinct sites under contrasting conditions. Data were collected at Boussedra, an unprotected freshwater marsh during the years 2005 and 2008, and at Lake Tonga, a protected freshwater marsh during 2009. The onset of egg-laying was found to occur earlier (mid-February) than was recorded previously (end-March). There was much variation in the egg laying patterns and in the clutch sizes which dropped significantly from 5.8 ± 0.9 (Boussedra 2009) to 3.4 ± 0.9 (Boussedra 2008) and 3.9 ± 1.0 (Tonga 2009). This study, the first investigation of the ecology and conservation of the Purple Swamp-Hen in North Africa, suggests a decline in breeding success associated with steady habitat loss and ineffective enforcement of legislation.

In Algeria, the Globally Endangered White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala is resident throughout the year in the coastal wetlands of north-east Algeria and the Hauts Plateaux, where it occupies habitats that range from freshwater ponds and brackish marshes to hypersaline lakes. In autumn and winter, at two study sites sleeping (49% and 68%) and resting (9% and 20%) dominated, whereas feeding (7% and 10%) represented a minor proportion of, diurnal activities. There was no marked seasonal change in the activity pattern, as would be expected for a resident bird. The breeding and winter distributions of the species were similar, but seasonal and diel patterns of dispersion among habitats remain poorly known. Human encroachment on wetland habitat, habitat degradation and illegal hunting in protected areas are the major threats to the persistence of the species and probably similar threatened species in Algeria.

During the period 2002–2012, we assessed the breeding status of the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea in Algeria by surveying all the major wetlands in the region. We located two distinct breeding sites; one of them was recorded for the first time. We also investigated nest site selection, measured breeding parameters and derived a growth curve for developing chicks. Although wintering Grey Herons increased in numbers in the region, the number of breeding pairs did not change markedly over the past century. The reasons for the scarcity of Grey Heron breeding pairs in Algeria and in the rest of North Africa are discussed.

The status of the Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus in Algeria and its breeding ecology in North Africa are reported for the first time. Nest site selection and breeding parameters were studied at two contrasting sites in north-east Algeria: Boussedra, an unprotected freshwater marsh of 55 ha subject to anthropogenic influence, during 2005 and 2008, and Lake Tonga, a protected freshwater marsh of 2 400 ha in 2009. Most nests (92%) at Boussedra were located in dense stands of lesser bulrush Typha angustifolia, whereas a few were found on lower branches of tamarisk Tamarix gallica trees. In contrast, at Lake Tonga nests were predominantly found on Scirpus lacustris (41%) or associated with alder trees Alnus glutinosa (32%). Egg-laying at both sites occurred between early April and the end of June. There was a significant decrease in egg volume as the breeding season progressed. Mean clutch size at Lake Tonga (7.8 ± 2.9, N = 23 clutches) did not differ significantly from that at Boussedra (6.7 ± 2.1, N = 14...

Capsule This is the first study of the reproductive ecology of the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus in North Africa. During the study period, clutch size exhibited a sharp drop concurrent with a steady human encroachment and 30% habitat loss. Aim To investigate the status, nest-site selection, breeding parameters, chick development and chick diet of Little Bittern in Algeria, under deteriorating habitat conditions Methods Data were collected during surveys of all major Algerian wetlands (2002–08) and monitoring of breeding at Boussedra, a freshwater marsh in northeast Algeria, during the years 2005 and 2008. Results Egg-laying spanned the period of 10 May to 30 June with one recorded case of a double brood in early July (n = 30). The mean clutch size in 2005 was 6.2 ± 0.4 sd eggs per nest (n = 6 clutches), which was significantly higher than that of 2008, which amounted to 4.3 ± 0.5 sd eggs per nest (n = 6 clutches), and this decline was associated with increased disturbance and loss of habitat. Overall,...

Ringing of yellow-legged gulls Larus michahellis michahellis begun in Algeria in 2009, the first scheme of its kind in North Africa. Ringing of chicks was initiated at Skikda and extended a year later to four other colonies located along the Algerian coast. Preliminary analysis of observations of ringed yellow-legged gulls from Algerian colonies indicates that juveniles dispersed in a northwesterly direction to the Balearic Sea and the Bay of Biscay, and westwards to the Alboran Sea and the Iberian Atlantic coast from Cadiz Bay to Galicia. Preliminary results suggested two distinct routes: gulls from the eastern Algerian colonies moved N/NW to eastern Spain and overland to the Bay of Biscay, a pattern of dispersal previously reported for birds from Spanish and French western Mediterranean colonies. Juveniles from western colonies seemed to move N/NW to the Alboran Sea and Cadiz Bay. In Spain, to where most dispersal occurred, the data suggests that Algerian gulls summered at coastal areas before returning to North Africa in late autumn and winter.

Summary. An appraisal of the status and distribution of waterbirds of Algeria: indicators of global changes? North Africa is generally thought to play a key role for wintering and staging migrant birds. This study presents a detailed assessment of the status of waterbirds of Algeria with an emphasis on changes in species composition and distribution of breeding wetland and marine birds. A total of 97 species of waterbirds were identified with 41 species breeding. Marked environmental changes in North Africa over the past two hundred years that are relevant to waterbirds have included wetland drainage, persecution, introduction of exotic fish, increases in open-air refuse dumps and climate change. These changes have affected waterbirds differentially with some species increasing in numbers and expanding their range and others teetering on the verge of local extinction. When examining changes in the present breeding avifauna since the nineteenth century or the mid-twentieth century, the guild renewal rates ...