Phenology characteristics and demographic structure of Aleppo pine in the Algerian mediterranean forest: The case study of El-Harhouria afforestation

Abstract

The structural characteristics of tree populations and their spatial distribution is an essential indicator of forest health. A subjective sampling of the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill) of El-Harhouria afforestation in Algeria made it possible to establish the characteristics of this plant formation. In this case, five plots of 900 m2 were subjected to the following dendrometric measurements: circumference, total elevation, slenderness coefficient, and density of trees. The diachronic measurement of the total photosynthesis (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) was estimated with remote sensing methods based on Landsat images from 1986 to 2021. Data analysis showed that the average density of ligneous trees is 1,207 individuals per hectare including an average basal area of 41.95 m2/ha. The diameter and height structures of the wooded stands show a predominance of old individuals. In addition, NDVI values are correlated with the age of the trees, while low values were recorded in old trees.