As part of the project "Conserving wild plants and habitats for people in the south and east Mediterranean" (IPAMed) a field mission was carried out in Chélia Mountain (Algeria) from 9 to 12 May 2016. A team of botanists Ms. Yahi N. (USTHB Bab Ezzouar), Ms. S. Benhouhou (ENSA , El Harrach), Mr. Y. Beghami (Univ . Batna), Mr. K. Rebbas (Univ.M'sila) and a team of technicians and managers from Batna and Khenchela have done an intense plant species monitoring survey in the area. The south side of mountain was widely surveyed despite some sites were very rough and inaccessible. The mission ended the 12nd May at Ras Kulthum (2.328m).

Data collection was focused on two restricted range endemic species Ammoides atlantica and Centaurea tougourensis. Herbarium vouchers were collected and identification confirmed by the expert botanist Dr. Errol VELA. This field mission has allowed making good progress on the floristic knowledge of the IPA.

In previous field mission * 2 SRE species (Romulea vaillantii and Juniperus thurifera) and 2 TPP species (Cedrus atlantica and Quercus faginea subsp. faginea) have been observed and recorded.

Another survey campaign had been conducted at the beginning of the summer (July) to record late flowering plant species like: Crepis faureliana and Galium numidicum (SRE), Campanula jurjurensis and Jacobaea gallerandiana (TPP),

Ms. Kabouya, I. (DGF), M Gadiri, N. (INRF), M Briki, A. (CF Batna) and M. Abida, O. (CC Arris) have had a working session with the local farmer M. Rouibi, A. in the presence of President of the Association LAHZAMET to discuss future conservation actions to implement in this IPA.

For further information: Dra. Nassima Yahi; and Mrs. Kabouya-Loucif Ilham

Photo: Rebbas Khellaf