The Atlas Mountain Range is one of the most prominent natural features of North Africa. It stretches over three countries – Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia – and spans an area of approximately 2,500 km. The range is home to a vast array of diverse flora and fauna, making it a biodiversity hotspot with unique and endemic species. In this article, we will delve into the various forms of biodiversity present in the Atlas Mountains.
Flora Biodiversity
The Atlas Mountains have a diverse flora composition, with around 2,500 plant species identified so far. The vegetation is highly adapted to the harsh and arid mountain climate, with plants such as Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica), thyme (Thymus satureioides), and lavender (Lavandula), thriving in the mountainous landscape. The region’s flora is of great ecological and economic value and is used in various traditional and industrial applications.
Fauna Biodiversity
The Atlas Mountains have over 60 mammal species, thus putting it as one of the world’s richest zones for this wildlife group. Among these mammals are the endemic North African Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus), the North African Hedgehog (Atelerix algirus), and the Atlas Mountain hare (Lepus timidus atlanticus). The Atlas also has a considerable avifaunal diversity, with over 130 bird species such as the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides) being some of the most notable.
Aquatic Biodiversity
The Atlas Mountains boast of several water bodies, including rivers such as the Oum Rbia and the Sebou, and over ten lakes such as Tislit, Igli, and Tamda. These water bodies are home to important aquatic biodiversity, including over 50 freshwater fish species, the most widely distributed being the Barbel (Barbus barbus). The Atlas Mountains freshwater habitats also harbor endangered frog species such as Rana saharica and the endangered Moroccan newt Salamandra perspicillata.
Threats to Biodiversity
The Atlas Mountains’ diverse flora and fauna are under significant threat from various anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, land-use change, and agricultural practices. The rise in tourism activities such as skiing and hiking has also contributed to the degradation of the region’s natural surroundings. There is a need for urgent measures to instill sustainable land use and conservation activities to preserve the delicate balance of the Atlas Mountain’s biodiversity for future generations.
