Butterflies species abundance dynamics and distribution under forest composition (Souk Ahras, Algeria)

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Hana soualah Alila, Biology, Mouhamed Cherif Messadia University, Laboratory of Sciences and Technical in Water and Environment, Souk-Ahras,Algeria, Souk Ahras, Algeria, Abdelhak Boucif, Biology, Faculty SNV-STU, University 8 Mai 1945 Guelma, Algeria, Guelma, Algeria, Hamza Saouli and Ryma Djabourabi, Biology, Souk Ahras University, Souk Ahras, Algeria, Slim Benyacoub, Biology, Ecology Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems Laboratory, Department of Biology, Annaba University, Algeria, Annaba, Algeria

Background/Question/Methods
Understanding the dynamics of biodiversity remains a great challenge for ecological science. Biodiversity, especially in terms of ecologically sensitive species like butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) is important for estimating the general health as well as development of proper conservation plans for the entire ecosystem. Butterflies are generally regarded as one of the best taxonomically studied groups of insects. Forest inventory data, providing ground-source information of forest characteristics and history across the globe are essential for a variety of stakeholders to achieve sustainable forest management. Mediterranean forests constitute a fragile natural environment already deeply disturbed by multiple uses. However, the attacks they suffered have varied considerably in frequency and intensity over the ages depending on human demography, which has determined phases of progression or regression of their surfaces. There is no detail information regarding butterflies of Machroha Forest. This is the first record from Machoroha region of Souk Ahras (North-east of Algeria). The main aim of the study is (1) to inventory in natural areas (2) to check the influence of differences in ecology among the study site on the basis of their habitat and (3) variations of the species composition and population among study site.
Results/Conclusions
Butterfly observed and sampled was collected weekly using line transects method during three years from April 2019 to April 2021 and each vegetation types where the butterfly species observed. More than 35 species from 7 families were collected. The number of species and individual abundance recorded varied extensively. A positive effect of fire on species richness was observed for grass cover butterflies. Trees and suitable host plants certainly contributes to attract a very important Diversity. Among them, more than 30 % species were protected and migratory. The most dominant families in number of species respectively are: Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Lycaenidae. We have found several Mediterranean forest species despite the long distance from the coast.
In the present study observed that the vegetation types plays a major role in the diversity distribution and abundance. Instead, efforts should be made towards the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of the latter.