Nacer TARAI | University Mohamed Khider of Biskra, Algeria (original) (raw)

Papers by Nacer TARAI

Research paper thumbnail of Monitoring Dynamics of Date Palm Plantations from 1984 to 2013 Using Landsat Time-Series in Sahara Desert Oases of Algeria

Advances in science, technology & innovation, Dec 30, 2018

This study used remote sensing tools to quantify spatial dynamics of date palm plantations (DPP) ... more This study used remote sensing tools to quantify spatial dynamics of date palm plantations (DPP) in desert oases of Ziban region (NE Algeria) over the past three decades and understand the impacts of agricultural development on land use-land cover changes. Spatiotemporal changes of DPP (Phoenix dactylifera) were detected using likelihood supervised classification for each of three Landsat satellite images (TM-1984, ETM+-1999 and OLI-2013). The DPP area quadrupled over the last three decades (1984–2013), accounting for about 75.46% of date palm cultivation expansion, while arid rangelands decreased with about 25,932.96 ha as result of political agricultural programs that favored the exploitation of natural habitats into DPP. This study reported the potential of remote sensing imagery processing technique for monitoring and rapidly detecting land change in landscapes of desert oases, with accuracy and a relatively low cost over a long-time period and large scale regions.

Research paper thumbnail of The State of Awareness About the Phenomenon of Desertification by the Inhabitants of the Region of Khoubana, M’Sila, Algeria

Natural Resources and Sustainable Development

Research paper thumbnail of Diversity of hymenopteran families associated to quinoa crop in Algeria (case of Biskra province)

Acta Agriculturae Slovenica, Dec 30, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Study of population dynamics of the white scale (Parlatoria blanchardi targ, 1868) in the date palm of the Biskra région

International Journal of Entomology Research, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Study of the natural and parasitic mortality of the white scale Parlatoria blanchardi targ., 1868 of the date palm in the region of Biskra

International Journal of Entomology Research, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Feeding preferences of gregarious nymphs and adults of the Desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskal (Orthoptera, Cyrtacanthacridinae) in different habitats at Biskra oasis, Algeria

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of climate change on the evolution of the pine processionary moth,Thaumetopoea pityocampa(Lepidoptera Notodontidae) at the Aures, Algeria

2016 International Congress of Entomology, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Bio-ecological study of green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Homoptera, Aphididae) at Biskra Oasis, Algeria

International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 2015

Tomato and pepper under greenhouse are the agricultural base in the Biskra Oasis. These crops thr... more Tomato and pepper under greenhouse are the agricultural base in the Biskra Oasis. These crops threatened by insect pests, such as green peach aphid. The bio-ecology of Myzus persicae is the subject of a study conducted at five stations, Cha

Research paper thumbnail of Spatiotemporal Changes in Date Palm Oases of Algeria Over the Last Century

Research Developments in Geotechnics, Geo-Informatics and Remote Sensing, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Chemical profile and antioxidant activity of Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. Wight aerial parts and seeds extracts

Research paper thumbnail of Rapid morphological change of barbels (Cyprinidae) after the dry-up of Sahara

ABSTRACT Disciminant analysis; osteometrics, body morphology, genetic analysis (mtDNA: cyt b and ... more ABSTRACT Disciminant analysis; osteometrics, body morphology, genetic analysis (mtDNA: cyt b and D-loop)

Research paper thumbnail of Rapid morphological change of barbels (Cyprinidae) after the dry-up of Sahara

Disciminant analysis; osteometrics, body morphology, genetic analysis (mtDNA: cyt b and D-loop)

Research paper thumbnail of Can palm date plantations and oasification be used as a proxy to fight sustainably against desertification and sand encroachment in hot drylands?

Ecological Indicators

Using GIS and remote sensing tools, the current dissertation shows the impact of agricultural mut... more Using GIS and remote sensing tools, the current dissertation shows the impact of agricultural mutation in drylands and highlights the effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plantations (DPP) on desertification phenomenon in oases of the Algerian Sahara Desert. The spatiotemporal survey was conducted using three Landsat satellite images (TM-1984, ETM+-1999, and OLI-2013). Likelihood supervised classification was used to quantify DPP change over three decades, whereas four remote sensed indices were extracted as indicators of desertification process in the study area: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), Salinity Index (SI-T), and Crust Index (CI). Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were applied to test the effects of year and DPP ‘presence/absence’ for NDVI; year, DPP and NDVI for both CI and NDMI; year, DPP, NDVI and NDMI for SI-T. DPP area and tree numbers quadrupled over the last three decades with a surface increase of 4822 ha and more than 0.5 million trees. DPP presence positively influenced NDVI, NDMI and CI, but negatively affected SI-T. Highly significant positive relationships were found between NDVI—DPP, NDVI—NDMI, and NDVI—CI, although negative relationships were obtained between SI-T—NDVI and SI-T—NDMI. DPP areas indicated higher NDVI, NDMI and CI values, but with lower SI-T values compared to the rest of the desert habitats. Our results highlighted the potential role of DPP in controlling and mitigating desertification in hot drylands. This arises from the effectiveness of strategic agricultural policy programs. Landsat series data provided a cost-efficient tool for monitoring change in oases and arid environments.

Research paper thumbnail of Genetic and morphological consequences of Quaternary glaciations: A relic barbel lineage (Luciobarbus pallaryi, Cyprinidae) of Guir Basin (Algeria)

Comptes Rendus Biologies, 2016

Climatic variations during the Quaternary period had a considerable impact on landscapes and habi... more Climatic variations during the Quaternary period had a considerable impact on landscapes and habitat fragmentation (rivers) in North Africa. These historical events can have significant consequences on the genetic structure of the populations. Indeed, geographically separated and genetically isolated populations tend to differentiate themselves through time, eventually becoming distinct lineages, allowing new species to emerge in later generations. The aim of the present study is to use genetic and morphological techniques to evaluate the major role of the Saalian glaciation (Middle Quaternary) in the establishment of the geographic space and in the evolution of the intraspecific genetic diversity, by tracing the demographic history of barbels belonging to the Luciobarbus pallaryi (Cyprinidae) species in the Guir Basin (Algeria). In this context, two populations, from two distinct and isolated sites, were studied. Analysis of the cytochrome b (cyt b) mitochondrial markers and of the "D-loop" control region has shown that the "upstream" and "downstream" Guir populations are genetically differentiated. The molecular analyses suggest that the upstream population was disconnected from this hydrographic system during the Saalian glaciation period of the Quaternary. Subsequently, it was isolated in the foggaras underground waters in the Great Western Erg, at approximately 320 000 years BP, creating, through a bottleneck effect, a new allopatric lineage referred to as "Adrar". Conversely, the high genetic diversity in the upstream Guir (Bechar) population suggests that the stock is globally in expansion. These barbels (n=52) were also examined with meristic, morphometric, osteological, and biological features. These data also reveal a complete discrimination between the two populations, with a remarkable and distinctive behavioural adaptation for the Adrar specimens: neoteny.

Research paper thumbnail of Can palm date plantations and oasification be used as a proxy to fight sustainably against desertification and sand encroachment in hot drylands?

Ecological Indicators, Dec 2018

Using GIS and remote sensing tools, the current dissertation shows the impact of agricultural mut... more Using GIS and remote sensing tools, the current dissertation shows the impact of agricultural mutation in drylands and highlights the effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plantations (DPP) on desertification phenomenon in oases of the Algerian Sahara Desert. The spatiotemporal survey was conducted using three Landsat satellite images (TM-1984, ETM+-1999, and OLI-2013). Likelihood supervised classification was used to quantify DPP change over three decades, whereas four remote sensed indices were extracted as indicators of desertification process in the study area: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), Salinity Index (SI-T), and Crust Index (CI). Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were applied to test the effects of year and DPP ‘presence/absence’ for NDVI; year, DPP and NDVI for both CI and NDMI; year, DPP, NDVI and NDMI for SI-T. DPP area and tree numbers quadrupled over the last three decades with a surface increase of 4822 ha and more than 0.5 million trees. DPP presence positively influenced NDVI, NDMI and CI, but negatively affected SI-T. Highly significant positive relationships were found between NDVI—DPP, NDVI—NDMI, and NDVI—CI, although negative relationships were obtained between SI-T—NDVI and SI-T—NDMI. DPP areas indicated higher NDVI, NDMI and CI values, but with lower SI-T values compared to the rest of the desert habitats. Our results highlighted the potential role of DPP in controlling and mitigating desertification in hot drylands. This arises from the effectiveness of strategic agricultural policy programs. Landsat series data provided a cost-efficient tool for monitoring change in oases and arid environments.

Research paper thumbnail of Feeding preferences of gregarious nymphs and adults of the Desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskal (Orthoptera, Cyrtacanthacridinae) in different habitats at Biskra oasis, Algeria

Research paper thumbnail of Monitoring Dynamics of Date Palm Plantations from 1984 to 2013 Using Landsat Time-Series in Sahara Desert Oases of Algeria

Advances in science, technology & innovation, Dec 30, 2018

This study used remote sensing tools to quantify spatial dynamics of date palm plantations (DPP) ... more This study used remote sensing tools to quantify spatial dynamics of date palm plantations (DPP) in desert oases of Ziban region (NE Algeria) over the past three decades and understand the impacts of agricultural development on land use-land cover changes. Spatiotemporal changes of DPP (Phoenix dactylifera) were detected using likelihood supervised classification for each of three Landsat satellite images (TM-1984, ETM+-1999 and OLI-2013). The DPP area quadrupled over the last three decades (1984–2013), accounting for about 75.46% of date palm cultivation expansion, while arid rangelands decreased with about 25,932.96 ha as result of political agricultural programs that favored the exploitation of natural habitats into DPP. This study reported the potential of remote sensing imagery processing technique for monitoring and rapidly detecting land change in landscapes of desert oases, with accuracy and a relatively low cost over a long-time period and large scale regions.

Research paper thumbnail of The State of Awareness About the Phenomenon of Desertification by the Inhabitants of the Region of Khoubana, M’Sila, Algeria

Natural Resources and Sustainable Development

Research paper thumbnail of Diversity of hymenopteran families associated to quinoa crop in Algeria (case of Biskra province)

Acta Agriculturae Slovenica, Dec 30, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Study of population dynamics of the white scale (Parlatoria blanchardi targ, 1868) in the date palm of the Biskra région

International Journal of Entomology Research, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Study of the natural and parasitic mortality of the white scale Parlatoria blanchardi targ., 1868 of the date palm in the region of Biskra

International Journal of Entomology Research, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Feeding preferences of gregarious nymphs and adults of the Desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskal (Orthoptera, Cyrtacanthacridinae) in different habitats at Biskra oasis, Algeria

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of climate change on the evolution of the pine processionary moth,Thaumetopoea pityocampa(Lepidoptera Notodontidae) at the Aures, Algeria

2016 International Congress of Entomology, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Bio-ecological study of green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Homoptera, Aphididae) at Biskra Oasis, Algeria

International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 2015

Tomato and pepper under greenhouse are the agricultural base in the Biskra Oasis. These crops thr... more Tomato and pepper under greenhouse are the agricultural base in the Biskra Oasis. These crops threatened by insect pests, such as green peach aphid. The bio-ecology of Myzus persicae is the subject of a study conducted at five stations, Cha

Research paper thumbnail of Spatiotemporal Changes in Date Palm Oases of Algeria Over the Last Century

Research Developments in Geotechnics, Geo-Informatics and Remote Sensing, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Chemical profile and antioxidant activity of Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. Wight aerial parts and seeds extracts

Research paper thumbnail of Rapid morphological change of barbels (Cyprinidae) after the dry-up of Sahara

ABSTRACT Disciminant analysis; osteometrics, body morphology, genetic analysis (mtDNA: cyt b and ... more ABSTRACT Disciminant analysis; osteometrics, body morphology, genetic analysis (mtDNA: cyt b and D-loop)

Research paper thumbnail of Rapid morphological change of barbels (Cyprinidae) after the dry-up of Sahara

Disciminant analysis; osteometrics, body morphology, genetic analysis (mtDNA: cyt b and D-loop)

Research paper thumbnail of Can palm date plantations and oasification be used as a proxy to fight sustainably against desertification and sand encroachment in hot drylands?

Ecological Indicators

Using GIS and remote sensing tools, the current dissertation shows the impact of agricultural mut... more Using GIS and remote sensing tools, the current dissertation shows the impact of agricultural mutation in drylands and highlights the effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plantations (DPP) on desertification phenomenon in oases of the Algerian Sahara Desert. The spatiotemporal survey was conducted using three Landsat satellite images (TM-1984, ETM+-1999, and OLI-2013). Likelihood supervised classification was used to quantify DPP change over three decades, whereas four remote sensed indices were extracted as indicators of desertification process in the study area: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), Salinity Index (SI-T), and Crust Index (CI). Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were applied to test the effects of year and DPP ‘presence/absence’ for NDVI; year, DPP and NDVI for both CI and NDMI; year, DPP, NDVI and NDMI for SI-T. DPP area and tree numbers quadrupled over the last three decades with a surface increase of 4822 ha and more than 0.5 million trees. DPP presence positively influenced NDVI, NDMI and CI, but negatively affected SI-T. Highly significant positive relationships were found between NDVI—DPP, NDVI—NDMI, and NDVI—CI, although negative relationships were obtained between SI-T—NDVI and SI-T—NDMI. DPP areas indicated higher NDVI, NDMI and CI values, but with lower SI-T values compared to the rest of the desert habitats. Our results highlighted the potential role of DPP in controlling and mitigating desertification in hot drylands. This arises from the effectiveness of strategic agricultural policy programs. Landsat series data provided a cost-efficient tool for monitoring change in oases and arid environments.

Research paper thumbnail of Genetic and morphological consequences of Quaternary glaciations: A relic barbel lineage (Luciobarbus pallaryi, Cyprinidae) of Guir Basin (Algeria)

Comptes Rendus Biologies, 2016

Climatic variations during the Quaternary period had a considerable impact on landscapes and habi... more Climatic variations during the Quaternary period had a considerable impact on landscapes and habitat fragmentation (rivers) in North Africa. These historical events can have significant consequences on the genetic structure of the populations. Indeed, geographically separated and genetically isolated populations tend to differentiate themselves through time, eventually becoming distinct lineages, allowing new species to emerge in later generations. The aim of the present study is to use genetic and morphological techniques to evaluate the major role of the Saalian glaciation (Middle Quaternary) in the establishment of the geographic space and in the evolution of the intraspecific genetic diversity, by tracing the demographic history of barbels belonging to the Luciobarbus pallaryi (Cyprinidae) species in the Guir Basin (Algeria). In this context, two populations, from two distinct and isolated sites, were studied. Analysis of the cytochrome b (cyt b) mitochondrial markers and of the "D-loop" control region has shown that the "upstream" and "downstream" Guir populations are genetically differentiated. The molecular analyses suggest that the upstream population was disconnected from this hydrographic system during the Saalian glaciation period of the Quaternary. Subsequently, it was isolated in the foggaras underground waters in the Great Western Erg, at approximately 320 000 years BP, creating, through a bottleneck effect, a new allopatric lineage referred to as "Adrar". Conversely, the high genetic diversity in the upstream Guir (Bechar) population suggests that the stock is globally in expansion. These barbels (n=52) were also examined with meristic, morphometric, osteological, and biological features. These data also reveal a complete discrimination between the two populations, with a remarkable and distinctive behavioural adaptation for the Adrar specimens: neoteny.

Research paper thumbnail of Can palm date plantations and oasification be used as a proxy to fight sustainably against desertification and sand encroachment in hot drylands?

Ecological Indicators, Dec 2018

Using GIS and remote sensing tools, the current dissertation shows the impact of agricultural mut... more Using GIS and remote sensing tools, the current dissertation shows the impact of agricultural mutation in drylands and highlights the effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plantations (DPP) on desertification phenomenon in oases of the Algerian Sahara Desert. The spatiotemporal survey was conducted using three Landsat satellite images (TM-1984, ETM+-1999, and OLI-2013). Likelihood supervised classification was used to quantify DPP change over three decades, whereas four remote sensed indices were extracted as indicators of desertification process in the study area: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), Salinity Index (SI-T), and Crust Index (CI). Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were applied to test the effects of year and DPP ‘presence/absence’ for NDVI; year, DPP and NDVI for both CI and NDMI; year, DPP, NDVI and NDMI for SI-T. DPP area and tree numbers quadrupled over the last three decades with a surface increase of 4822 ha and more than 0.5 million trees. DPP presence positively influenced NDVI, NDMI and CI, but negatively affected SI-T. Highly significant positive relationships were found between NDVI—DPP, NDVI—NDMI, and NDVI—CI, although negative relationships were obtained between SI-T—NDVI and SI-T—NDMI. DPP areas indicated higher NDVI, NDMI and CI values, but with lower SI-T values compared to the rest of the desert habitats. Our results highlighted the potential role of DPP in controlling and mitigating desertification in hot drylands. This arises from the effectiveness of strategic agricultural policy programs. Landsat series data provided a cost-efficient tool for monitoring change in oases and arid environments.

Research paper thumbnail of Feeding preferences of gregarious nymphs and adults of the Desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskal (Orthoptera, Cyrtacanthacridinae) in different habitats at Biskra oasis, Algeria