Floristic diversity of Quercus suber woodlands in Kabylia (north eastern Algeria). Checklist and brief analysis.

The Quercus suber woodlands growing in Algeria are of high ecological importance, even if they have a narrow distribution, and are mainly located in the north eastern part of the country. The objective of this paper is to assess the floristic diversity of the cork oak woodlands in Kabylia (north eastern Algeria), by describing the taxonomical (at families, genera, species and subspecies ranks), biological and chorological diversity of the vascular flora, and to discuss conservation of the flora, focusing on endemics. Overall, 311 vascular plant taxa are recorded in the investigated area. Twenty-nine taxa are endemics and Algerian law protects eight of them. Biological spectrum reveals ecological features and anthropic pressure, while chorological spectrum provides information in climatic and biogeographical terms. The presence of 34 plant taxa with high value that are range-restricted and/or endemics in these woodlands is especially significant, as well as three threatened or near threatened species. Accordingly, measures for protection of floristic diversity in this area are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]