PROJECT FOR THE DEPOLUTION OF BIZERTE LAKE

Diagnosis, mapping, classification of bordering wetland areas

from the North East lagoon of Bizerte

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF

BIOTOPES
 Localization

It is a very coastal strip

narrow, inserted between the North bank
It is from the lagoon of Bizerte and the
National Route No. 8.

Characterized by a
advanced flattening, and of
long very gentle slopes in
direction of the lagoon,
interspersed with small
occupied endorheic basins
through marshes or Sebkhas.
 Subject situation

. Vulnerability of biotopes to developments that consist of

at the installation of a dike to the northeast of the lagoon.

. Ability or inability of the ecosystem to adapt to the anticipated changes.

. A challenge especially when it comes to defending the low coasts and

preserve the biotopes.
 The objectives

The study aims for the following objectives:

. Identification and characterization of the ecological specificities of biotopes.

. Highlighting their ecological importance.

. Highlighting their importance for the preservation of biodiversity.

. Impacts on biotopes under the current management of the environment.

. Impacts potentiels sur les biotopes après l’installation de la digue.

. Recommendations.
Implementation methodology
 1- Perception and zoning of wetlands

Distinguish the major types of landscapes in the area.

Homogeneous physiognomic characteristics in

regarding:

physiography.
the floor
the vegetation.
2- Mapping of habitat units 'the biotopes'

• Delimitation of the part of the watershed that is adjacent to

the lagoon.

• Interpretation of recent satellite images.

• Validation of photo-interpretation in the field.

• Creation of a map of the 'ecological units of

environment" considered here as biotopes.
 3-Ecological study and identification of biotopes

This is an ecological inventory

from the zone that allows providing
information on the different
ecological units of environment

The 'ecological units of environment',

by their specificities, will be
similar to biotopes.
4-Main components of the ecological study
4.1- Method of study and characterization of vegetation.

In this work, we have set out to do much more

a complete and detailed inventory of this vegetation,

To study the relationships between this vegetation and the

main ecological factors that condition it: salinity,
hydromorphy, soil texture etc..

And also its importance as a habitat for wildlife.

particular.
 4.2 - Study and soil characterization

The recommended pedological study is based on the detailed description of the

soil profiles, and then their interpretation.

The soil elements considered in our study

are

-The color

The texture

The structure

The form

The figurative elements

Anthropic pressure increases -
Hydromorphism
Characterization of biotopes
 1- Classes retained for the biotope map

Biotope class Subclass

Islands periodically
submerged
Sandy coastal cordon . Herbaceous phytocenosis Psammophytes
. Rush bands
. Indoor water body
Lagoons and sebkhas. . External borders to Sueda and Atriplex
. Internal borders at Arthrocnemum and Salicornia.
. Reed beds with Phragmites and Typha
Floodplains well
drained
Floodplains . In Swamp Phase
poorly drained . In the drying phase
Free waters . Water plan
. Watercourse
.2-Map of the distribution of biotopes
 Periodically submerged islets (I).

The islets line the beach of the lagoon in its North East part; they
are periodically submerged at the rhythm of the tides.

Today they are:

Accessible by fishing boats.

Trampled by the oyster farmers, diminished and exploited.

Arasés for the development of housing estates.

Islands in a rosary
• The vegetation.
She plays a crucial role in the establishment of the islets.
composed by:
- Arthrocnemum indicum and Atriplex portulacoides like
dominant species.
Other Psammophiles and Halophiles, adapted to this environment.
Macrophytes: which are aquatic plant species
• The fauna:
Dominated by bivalve mollusks and gastropods.
The fish fauna which includes sparids, eels, and
sedentary species: gobies and syngnathids.
The avifauna includes Greylag Geese, Whistling Ducks,
Pintail ducks, etc..
The flamingos, whose summer populations are very significant
in July and August.
 Sandy coastal cordon (C).

-A border dune that takes the form of a continuous ridge, with a symmetrical cross-sectional profile, a height of a few
meters wide of several tens of meters.

It is a fragile building that protects the lowlands against intrusions by seawater.

• Vegetation of the cordon:

Herbaceous Phytocenoses (C1) have a role in fixing

sand, composed of Psammophytes such as: Echinops
spinosis, Eryngium maritimum, Plantago albicans, Salsola kali.
The corridors with jonc and Urginia (C2). Are notable at
the interior of the Phytocenoses, filamentous along the cord,
composed of bulrush (juncus actus), the Urgine (Urginia maritima)
and the soda (Salsola kali).
the Urgine TheJonc
• The wildlife.

The sandy cordon, due to its position between the lagoon and the
terrestrial environment

- It serves as a favorite passage for a particular wildlife.

composed of semi-aquatic species such as the
amphibians and reptiles.

It is also a favorable environment for rodent nesting.

and for the laying of land turtles.

In the herbaceous biocenosis rich in plant species,

attracts a very diverse herbivorous fauna.
 Lagoons and sebkhas (S1 and S2).

• From a geomorphological point of view, it is a

plain whose coast is close to a base level
local or general.
• The flow of water is therefore slow,
difficult and congestion mainly affects the horizons
profound.
• The vegetation:
The type of sebkha, dominated by halophytic perennial species
such as Arthrocnemum indicum, Sueda fruticosa, etc.…
This vegetation is distributed at the periphery of the sebkha.

• The fauna:

Made up of a large number of species of mushrooms,

bacteria, nematodes, mites, ants, termites.

Among invertebrates: spiders, beetles;

aquatic insects, diptera, mayflies, pearls, dragonflies.

Among the vertebrates: amphibians, reptiles, birds

and small mammals.
The reed beds:
Are very common. The species that make them up are:
Phragmites communis, Typha angustifolia, Plantago aquatica, etc.

These species are very useful for the tranquility and reproduction of wildlife.
 Well-drained floodplains (P1)

They are slightly depressed plains but arranged.

through a network of drains to evacuate more quickly the
surface waters, consequently the drainage is quick and
Hydromorphism is then temporary.
• The vegetation.
Anthropozoogenic and nitrophilic species such as:
["Borage (Borago officinalis)","Rigid brome (Bromus rigidus)","Thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus)"]

Chenopodium album, Eryngium triquetrum, etc.

Oligotrophic species such as:

["Medicago marina","Medicago ciliaris","Medicago italica","Trifolium"]
["narrowleaf","red clover","isthmus clover"]
Trifolium tomentosum, etc.

• The fauna
It is poor outside of small rodents and insects, because
this type of biotope is located near the road and the
urban areas.
 Poorly drained floodplains (P2):

These are plains where the flow of water is slow.

The stagnation of surface water is prolonged and the flooding affects the deep horizons of the soil.

It results in:

There is a groundwater table very close to the surface of the soil, which determines a depth hydromorphy.
Let there be a prolonged surface congestion
,
• The vegetation
Corresponds to the grouping of Trifiolium isthmocarpum, this
Ecological group is characteristic of hydromorphy.
superficial weak to moderate for a fine textured soil and little
salty. The companion species: Melilotus sulcata, Ormenis
early, Koeleria hispida
Sun to Ormenis precocious phase of drying

.
-Eaux libres: Plan d’eau intérieur(E1) et Cours d’eau (E2)

It is a biotope that constitutes a link of great importance.

in the food chain of the ecosystem.
The vegetation
Inside the waters, we find very Macrophytes
diversified that serve as food for species
herbivores.

In halomorphic environments, one can find species

halophiles and halo resistant: Hordeum murinum, Salsola Kali
Atriplex portulacoides, Typha angustifolia, Phragmites
common, Tamarix africana etc...

The fauna
Many aquatic insects are consumed by
terrestrial arthropods and by species of the levels
highest trophic levels – lizards, bats, and
oiseaux.
The impacts on the natural environment
 1- Current impacts (before the installation of the dam)
1.1-Eutrophication:

Filamentous algae and cyanophytes have been

observed everywhere in the area, on the surface of the courses
water and stagnant waters of sebkhas, these are
indicators of an advanced eutrophication phase.
 1.2- Illegal dumping

Wild dumps now constitute a

a real environmental scourge and a threat to health
public. The residents of the surrounding area are suffering
the toxins and asphyxiating air caused by incinerations
anarchic and thoughtless waste.
 1.3-Cultivation of the plain and overgrazing

Cultivation and excessive concentration of livestock

and the poorly reasoned contribution of fertilizers has largely contributed to
the degradation of water quality in the area.
 1.4- Other impacts on the biotopes

• The development of waterways.

• The drainage of floodplains.
• Anthropic pressure.
• The proliferation of Aedes in the sebkhas.
 2- potential impacts after the installation of the dam

2.1- Impacts on the natural dynamics of the island complex

beach-string.

The beach will disappear, the islets will too, the dynamics
The natural of the complex will be hindered.

2.2- Impacts on lagoon waters.

The said complex intercepts practically all flows.

superficial ones that flow toward the lagoon, their position the
designates as a natural filter.
Its destruction will cause the deprivation of the lagoon from this filter of
great importance, consequently to this, an eutrophication
more pronounced waters of the lagoon
 2.3- Impacts on the low-lying areas behind the ridge

The construction of the dike at the level of the coastal cordon,

will cause flooding especially in winter, in the areas
background basses of the cordon.

The connection with the lagoon will be practically interrupted,

and the entire area will be at risk of flooding, including
the heavy installations that are already scheduled in this
part of the area.
 2.4- Impacts on flora and fauna

Among the potential damages resulting from the destruction of

this building, one sites in particular:

The destruction of habitats and the floral and faunal capital

that they wear.

- The destruction of several kilometers of rush ribbons and others

species along the coastal strip,

The migration of terrestrial wildlife, due to lack of space and

refuge.
 Compensatory measures

1- Development and restoration of the drainage network.

- Restore and arrange an adequate drainage network that

does not harm the environment, while being able to
protect the area against flooding.

- Restore the connections of the flood-prone low areas with

the lagoon through the underground pipes
(dalots).

- Connect the most polluted watercourses to the network

'ONAS' to reduce pollution in receiving areas.
2- Afforestation and grassing in the watershed.

Forests can be planned as part of a

aménagement global du bassin versant. Ils amélioreront la
landscape quality of the area while contributing effectively to
the protection of soils against water erosion and will participate
effectively at the pollutant retention mechanism.

3- Restoration of the vegetation in the meanders.

The afforestation and grassing of the banks of watercourses by

suitable species such as tamarisk, bulrush, and cattail are
of great use for the flourishing of wildlife
aquatic
4- Relocation of illegal dumps.

It is desirable to proceed with the transfer of waste to

other places, far from the area to be incinerated.

5- Fight against the proliferation of Aedes.

A periodic treatment of the nests of these insects proves to be

indispensable.
 Discussion and suggestions:

The planned construction of a dike at the complex

The pilot-cord-beach is a very questionable solution, because
we think that:

• The proposed dam will have no significant effect, given that

that it will rest on a sandy base and by
consequently very permeable, both to water and to
pollutants.

• The construction of the dike will have serious consequences.

on the precarious natural balance of the ecosystem.
 The main objective of the project is to seek to
accelerate the renewal of waters at the level of
the medium high coastal fringe of the North Coast
is, in order to ensure better oxygenation, and to
reduce the phenomenon of eutrophication.
 This strip is covered by a shallow layer of water.
thick and reaches 1m in thickness only at a distance
about 1 km from the coast.

We believe that the creation would be feasible

from a ditch underwater along this strip, to
environ 500 m de la plage, ce fossé permet la
creation of a connection between the high areas low
deep and low areas
deep.

The installation of this ditch will allow for an increase

the transitivity, while reducing the cycle of
renewal of waters. without harming the
complex (island-cord-beach).
 CONCLUSIONS
• The complex of islands-coastal cordon-marsh constitutes a
dynamic building by nature, it must be able to evolve
freely in its form and location and that all
intervention at this level must be carried out through
gentle techniques.
• This building has multiple environmental functions.
of undeniable ecological interest, furthermore, it serves to
the dynamic and sedimentary balance of the beach, and
plays a protective role for the lowlands against the
floods.
All these reasons encourage the preservation of this
building against any intervention that does not respect the
nature.
Thank you for your attention