Search Results (83)

Due to limited knowledge regarding the diversity of parasitic helminths of the common gundi (Ctenodactylus gundi), we have undertaken a helminthological survey of the gundi in Southern Tunisia. A total of 125 gundis were analysed with the main objective of providing more complete descriptions of their parasitic helminths. Among them, two nematodes, namely Ctenodactylina tunetae Bernard, 1969 (Pharyngodonidae) and Hilgertia hilgerti (Seurat, 1915) (Oxyuridae), were recovered from the large intestine and caecum. Morphological and morphometric analyses of both species were carried out using light microscopy and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy. These nematodes were found in the large intestine and caecum with prevalences of 28.80% for C. tunetae and 55.20% for H. hilgerti. Moreover, both nematodes usually coinfect gundis, with 22.40% of hosts harbouring both species simultaneously. Our morphological and morphometric results are compared with those of previous studies. One of the most interesting results concerns the sexual dimorphism at a buccal level observed in C. tunetae, related to cephalic papillae (rounded in males; rectangular in females), lip lobes (bilobed in males; trilobed in females), and oesophageal teeth (semiarc-shaped in males; double semiarc-shaped in females). In conclusion, this study provides further knowledge of these two nematodes, as well as novel data regarding the sexual dimorphism present at the oral level. Full article

Livestock farming represents a key economic activity in the Tataouine Governorate of southern Tunisia, where cattle and dromedary camels coexist. Varicellovirus bovinealpha1 (BoAHV-1), the etiological agent of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), primarily affects cattle, while its circulation in camelids remains poorly understood. Following recent European Union regulations requiring BoAHV-1 surveillance in multiple animal species, this short communication reports serological findings from dairy cattle and dromedary herds in southern Tunisia. In March 2024, serum samples were collected from four non-vaccinated farms, including two intensive Friesian dairy cattle herds and two extensive dromedary herds (50 animals each). Serum samples from all animals were tested for BoAHV-1 antibodies using competitive commercial gB- and gE-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (c-ELISA) and confirmed by virus neutralization test (VNT). Antibodies against BoAHV-1 were detected in cattle from both dairy farms, with low seroprevalence and neutralizing antibody titers, indicating past or ongoing exposure. In contrast, all dromedary samples tested seronegative by both c-ELISA and VNT. These findings confirm BoAHV-1 circulation in cattle in the Tataouine region and its absence in dromedaries at sampling. Further studies involving larger sample sizes and molecular investigations are required to clarify the potential role of camelids in BoAHV-1 epidemiology in southern Tunisia. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tunisia lacks recent national data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence, particularly following the introduction of universal HBV vaccination in 1995. A national HBV seroprevalence study is essential to guide prevention strategies. This study aimed to estimate the national seroprevalence of HBV infection and identify its determinants 20 years after vaccine introduction. Methods: We conducted a nationwide, household-based, cross-sectional sero-epidemiological survey among a representative sample of the Tunisian general population using a two-stage cluster sampling method. The study was conducted by the National Observatory of New and Emerging Diseases (ONMNE) between December 2014 and June 2015. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires, and blood samples were tested using electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) to detect HBV biomarkers (HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs). HBV infection was defined as the presence of HBsAg and/or anti-HBc with the absence of anti-HBs. Associations between HBV infection and explanatory variables (socio-demographics, vaccination status, intrafamilial transmission, and hospital exposures) were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, reporting adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among 21,720 participants, 19,155 (88.2%) were tested. The national prevalence of HBsAg was 1.7% (95% CI: 1.55–1.85%), higher among males (2.1%; 95% CI: 1.9–2.4%) than females (1.4%; 95% CI: 1.3–1.6%) (p < 0.001; M/F ratio = 1.48). The mean age of HBsAg-positive participants was 48 ± 15.7 years. Prevalence was highest in the Central (2.3%; 95% CI: 2.0–2.7%) and Southern regions (2.2%; 95% CI: 1.8–2.8%) (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for HBV infection included age >20 years (aOR = 15.10; 95% CI: 4.79–47.64; p < 0.001), having a family member with HBV infection (aOR = 2.82; 95% CI: 2.09–3.79; p < 0.001), residing in the Southern (aOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.76–2.71; p < 0.001) or Central region (aOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.76–2.71; p < 0.001), male gender (aOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.39–2.05; p < 0.001), and hospital follow-up (aOR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.01–1.51; p = 0.039). HBV vaccination was strongly protective (aOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.20–0.62; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The national HBsAg seroprevalence in Tunisia was 1.7%, reflecting a low-endemic status. Vaccination programs should prioritize high-risk groups, including males, adults over 20 years, household contacts of HBV carriers, and residents of the Central and Southern regions. Strengthening infection prevention and control in healthcare settings and adopting intrafamilial precautions among high-risk populations are essential for long-term HBV control. Full article

Camel breeding plays an important role in sustaining pastoral systems in the arid and desert regions of Southern Tunisia, yet the sector remains marginal and insufficiently documented. This study aimed to assess the sustainably production potential of the Tunisian camel herd and to project future meat and milk production. Given the limited availability of detailed statistical data, a demographic simulation model adapted to Tunisian conditions was used to analyze herd dynamics under equilibrium scenarios. Sustainable offtake rates were estimated, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence of fertility and mortality on productivity. The results indicate that an average annual offtake rate of about 19.1 percent of the herd can be achieved without compromising demographic stability. Productivity gains were primarily driven by improvements in reproductive performance, while further reductions in mortality had a limited effect. Projections for the period 2022 to 2030 show moderate but consistent increases in herd size as well as meat and milk production. These findings suggest that sustainable development of camel production in arid environments relies on adaptive management strategies focused on reproduction, mobility, and market integration rather than conventional intensification. Full article

Intercropping is a pivotal strategy for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 2—End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture (SDG 2)—by enhancing food security agroecosystem resilience and sustainability. By integrating diverse species within the same plot, this sustainable approach takes advantage of the beneficial interactions between them. The simultaneous cultivation of multiple crop species within the same field increases agricultural diversification and contributes to a more resilient production system, breaking the uniformity of modern intensive agriculture. The objective of this review is to evaluate intercropping practices throughout the Mediterranean, specifically in Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece), North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia), and the Middle East (Turkey, Israel, and Jordan). This review intends to show advantages and disadvantages of intercropping and crops used and also highlight how intercropping systems affect crop production and quality, soil quality and microbiome, and proliferation of weeds, pests and diseases. The literature suggests that diversification in agriculture supports biodiversity and ecosystem services by the cultivation of diverse crop species together and, hence, may reduce independence in external outputs such as nutrient supply, pesticides and soil amendment. Despite the potential benefits of intercropping, the major caveats of this practice are the competition between different crops on resources, potential risks of plant protection, technical challenges of integrating the different requirements of each crop used in the system, and culture-related restrictions or regulations. Full article

This study investigates the typology of the pastoral farming systems in the arid region of southern Tunisia, with a particular focus on the governorate of Tataouine. A field survey was conducted among 111 livestock farmers distributed across different agro-ecological zones. The typology of breeding systems was established using a Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD), which identified eleven dimensions explaining 69.74% of the total data variance. The first three dimensions accounted for 15.91%, 8.79%, and 7.67% of the variability, respectively, and were defined by herd composition, resource availability, and management strategies, including variables such as the number of goats, sheep, and camels, distance to water sources, infrastructure, reproductive practices, and workforce availability. Hierarchical clustering revealed three distinct systems: System 1, regrouping “Small Urban Farmers”, defined by small-scale operations relying on family labor, localized feed resources, and market-driven production targeting urban consumers; System 2, representing large livestock, composed of professionalized operations with improved infrastructure, hired labor, and transhumance practices to optimize resource use and productivity; and System 3, for herds with camels, characterized by extensive systems utilizing collective rangelands and camels to adapt to arid conditions and ensure ecological resilience. The results emphasize how ecological constraints, infrastructure, and spatial organization shape the diversity of these systems. This typology provides critical insights into the challenges and potential of livestock farming in arid environments and offers a foundation for designing targeted interventions to support the sustainability of pastoral systems under increasing environmental and economic pressures. Full article

The sustainability of date palm cultivation is a critical research focus due to its vital role in food security and the resilience of agricultural systems in arid regions. This study evaluates the sustainability of date palm farms by examining how distinct oasis typologies, traditional and modern, influence three core dimensions: agro-ecological, socio-territorial, and economic. Employing the IDEA framework (Indicateurs de Durabilité des Exploitations Agricoles) and statistical analyses, field data from 60 farms in Tunisia’s Tozeur and Kebili regions were assessed. The results revealed marked heterogeneity in sustainability performance, strongly structured by oasis type. Traditional oases exhibited higher agro-ecological sustainability but greater economic vulnerability, while modern oases proved more economically robust yet less environmentally sustainable. These findings highlight a clear trade-off between environmental integrity and economic performance, highlighting the need for differentiated strategies to enhance the overall sustainability of oasis agricultural systems. Full article

Mediterranean cyclones over North Africa were analyzed using CyTRACK and ERA5 reanalysis data for the period 2015–2025. Cyclones were classified by minimum sea level pressure into Very Deep, Deep, Moderate, and Weak categories, and their structural characteristics—including spatial extent, lifetime, and associated synoptic-scale systems—were examined. The relationship between cyclone activity and monthly precipitation was assessed for Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, revealing substantial spatial variability in rainfall response. Egypt exhibited the strongest correspondence between cyclone frequency and precipitation, while other countries showed weaker or inconsistent associations, highlighting the role of cyclone intensity and moisture availability in driving regional hydroclimatic impacts. This intensity-resolved, region-specific analysis provides a comprehensive view of Mediterranean cyclone behavior and its influence on rainfall extremes, offering a valuable framework for improved forecasting, risk assessment, and climate resilience planning in the southern Mediterranean. Full article

Assessing the impact of irrigated agriculture on Djorf groundwater is a fundamental key to the sustainable management of coastal freshwater resources. This study integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and machine learning techniques to investigate the relationship between irrigated cropland in the coastal area and the water-level dynamics of the Djorf aquifer, located in the semi-arid region of southeastern Tunisia. A supervised classification using a Random Forest Model (RFM) and ground-truth GPS data was applied to detect irrigated areas in the coastal zone of Djorf. The model showed good performance, with an overall accuracy of 0.99. Moreover, the kappa values varied from 0.72 to 0.94 from 2005 to 2025. The Djorf aquifer experienced an expansion of irrigated agriculture, with an increase in area from approximately 400 ha in 2005 to 500 ha in 2015 and 1600 ha in 2025. This expansion of irrigated agriculture led to a reduction in groundwater level by 1.5 m from 2005 to 2015 and by 5 m from 2015 to 2025, as indicated by the Tajerjemet piezometric well in the southern part of the Djorf area. In the northern part, the groundwater level remained unchanged from 2005 to 2015 but decreased by 3 m from 2015 to 2025, as indicated by the Garaat Tyour piezometric well. In the center of the zone, the groundwater level decreased by 1.5 m from 2005 to 2015 and by about 9 m from 2015 to 2025, as recorded by the Henchir Arrassa piezometric well. The significant drop in groundwater levels over the last decade, from 2015 to 2025, is attributed to the substantial expansion of irrigated agriculture. The irrigated agricultural area continues to expand despite the Tunisian law classifying the Djorf zone as a restricted area for water well drilling, aimed at minimizing the degradation of groundwater in the Djorf aquifer. Alarmingly, the aquifer has resumed a rapid decrease since 2015, and urgent action is needed to prevent further degradation. Full article

Arid rangelands face increasing threats from grazing pressure and climate variability, yet the combined effects of grazing intensity and environmental gradients on plant community structure remain poorly understood. This study investigates grazing impacts on plant communities in southern Tunisia using floristic composition, ecological indicators, and indicator species across 500 plots representing low, moderate, and high grazing intensities. Vegetation surveys during peak growth recorded 386 vascular plant species. Species diversity peaked under moderate grazing (H’ = 5.46), consistent with the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, but was strongly influenced by soil nitrogen (r² = 0.692). Heavy grazing reduced diversity (H’ = 4.82), especially in nitrogen-poor sites, indicating that environmental stress amplifies grazing effects. Indicator species analysis identified 113 significant taxa, including 42 associated with moderate grazing, reflecting compositional rather than functional responses. Redundancy analysis showed that environmental variables explained 67% of community variance, with soil nitrogen as the dominant gradient, followed by sand content, minimum temperature, and longitude. Ordination analyses revealed distinct assemblages under high grazing intensity associated with sandy, nutrient-poor soils. These findings demonstrate that grazing impacts are highly context-dependent and support the need for site-specific, soil-informed grazing management under increasing climate stress. Full article

This study investigated land degradation sensitivity in Southern Tunisia’s Jeffara region and examined the effectiveness of water harvesting techniques (WHTs) as countermeasures. Land Degradation Sensitivity Index was calculated using a modified MEDALUS framework, in which thematic quality indices were derived from normalized indicators (climate, soil, vegetation, and management) and combined through a geometric mean within a GIS environment. The model is validated with field observations. The research found that almost the entire study area (≈99%) was classified as critically sensitive under the baseline scenario. Contributing factors include extreme aridity, limited vegetation cover, significant soil erosion, and human pressures. The most severely degraded areas are found in mountainous zones, desert plains, and mining areas, whereas regions dominated by olive orchards showed moderate sensitivity levels. This lower sensitivity is associated with the drought tolerance and deep root systems of olive trees, which enhance resistance to prolonged dry periods. This study modeled the impact of implementing traditional WHTs, notably Jessour and Tabias. Under this scenario, a clear qualitative improvement was observed, with the proportion of land classified as critical decreasing from 99% to 77.3%, indicating a measurable reduction in land degradation sensitivity associated with the implementation of WHTs. Despite their environmental benefits, such as enhancing soil moisture and stabilizing agricultural yields, the spatial expansion of WHTs remains limited. Full article

Understanding the distribution of water and salt in the crop’s root zone and predicting future soil degradation requires specific monitoring to establish guidelines for irrigation management and system performance. Two field experiments were conducted in the arid region of Southern Tunisia to assess soil water and salt dynamics under surface- and drip-irrigated carrots using HYDRUS 2D/3D simulations in the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 crop seasons. The soil water contents and bulk soil electrical conductivities were measured at three distinct soil layers: 0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm, where TDR probes were located. Statistical indicators (nRMSE, IA, and PBIAS) suggest that HYDRUS 2D/3D is reliable in simulating field hydro-saline dynamics for irrigated carrots. The results obtained for the two crop seasons exhibit a strong correlation between the simulated and measured values for both soil water contents and electrical conductivities. The study also shows that HYDRUS 2D/3D allows more accurate simulations of soil water dynamics than soil salinity under these conditions. Overall, these results provide valuable insights for understanding the hydrological processes in arid regions and can help in improving the management of water resources in these areas. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world; however, drought is a major constraint to its productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been shown to improve plant resistance under conditions of water stress. However, their effects on potato plants are poorly studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of two AMF inocula (two different strains of the AMF species Rhizophagus irregularis with different origin: Southern Spain MI₁ and Tunisia MI₂) on potato tolerance to drought stress through the determination of growth parameters, photosynthetic parameters, and antioxidant systems, under well-watered (WW; field capacity) and drought stress (DS; 50% of field capacity) conditions. Therefore, the experiment consisted of two factors: AMF strain and watering regime. The results showed that under drought stress conditions, AMF inoculation considerably stimulated photosynthetic performance as compared with non-inoculated controls. Moreover, leaf superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of inoculated plants were higher in WW conditions, but unchanged in DS conditions. Inoculated plants had significantly higher ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities than non-inoculated plants under DS conditions. Also, expression of some antioxidant enzyme genes were upregulated by inoculation. Lipid peroxidation content of inoculated plants was lower than that of non-inoculated. Furthermore, there was a high positive correlation between mycorrhizal root colonization (RC) and almost all the measured parameters. The results of this study indicated that AMF inoculation could enhance potato plant tolerance to water stress through the induction of antioxidant mechanisms implicated in scavenging oxygen-free radicals. Full article

The valorization of local plant cover, particularly through the integration of indigenous knowledge, is central to Tunisia’s economic development strategies. These approaches focus on diversifying agriculture by enhancing local natural and cultural heritage to strengthen community resilience amid environmental and socio-economic changes and to address rural exodus. This study examines the feasibility of AMP-based micro-projects in Matmata (southeastern Tunisia) by applying the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus and participatory methods involving local stakeholders. Field surveys, literature reviews, and statistical analyses reveal growing youth interest in AMP ventures, driven by rising pharmaceutical and cosmetic demand. Economic viability is confirmed by internal rate of return (IRR) values of 32%, 28%, and 43%, all well above the 10% profitability threshold. Profitability index (PI) values indicate efficient investments, yielding returns of 2.64, 2.13, and 5.31 dinars per dinar invested. The initiatives also deliver socio-cultural and environmental benefits through WEFE-based resource management. Beyond profitability, the study identifies gaps and opportunities to enhance AMP biodiversity, resource management, and sustainable diversification in southern Tunisia. Further efforts are required to increase market value and ensure equitable benefit distribution. Government policies should focus on raising WEFE awareness, building capacity, and investing in climate-smart agriculture, especially in vulnerable, migration-prone regions, supported by reforms in financing, taxation, and spatial planning. Full article

This study explores the water harvesting systems of mgouds in southern Tunisia and boqueras in southeastern Spain to understand their adaptation to semi-arid conditions and geomorphic contexts. These systems use ephemeral water through medieval-origin infrastructures to increase the water supply to rainfed crops. The hypothesis is that the diversity of these systems stems from environmental rather than cultural factors. By employing a qualitative–analytical approach, this study compares concentrated runoff diversion systems to investigate the use of boqueras/mgouds in terraces and glacis in the arid and semi-arid areas of Tunisia and the southeastern Iberian Peninsula. The research involved performing detailed geomorphological and climatological analyses and comparing structural complexities and water management strategies across different regions. The results indicate significant variability in system size and complexity. Tunisian mgouds are typically simpler and more individualised, while Spanish boqueras are larger and more complex due to more frequent and intense torrential rainfall. No common patterns were identified between the two regions. This study reveals that both types of systems reflect sophisticated adaptations to manage water scarcity and mitigate the impacts of intense rainfall, with geomorphic and climatic factors playing a decisive role. The primary conclusion is that the design and functionality of these water systems are predominantly influenced by environmental conditions rather than cultural factors. This research provides insights for developing sustainable water management strategies in other semi-arid regions. Full article