Publications
Book 89-90 - BRm Ecological Rupture Model - Algeria Tell & Saharan Atlas - V90 Corrected and Reproducible
A revised and automated ecological assessment of Algeria's Tell and Saharan Atlas regions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tassili n'Ajjer, reveals significant variations in ecological resilience under anthropic pressure. The corrected BRm Ecological Rupture Model (V90) recalculates and cross-checks 10 sites, identifying Tassili n'Ajjer as having a notably low vulnerability score of 0.21, indicating high resilience. This update addresses prior errors in the model (V89), ensuring reproducibility through automated verification. The study highlights the model's utility in quantifying ecological disruption across diverse landscapes, from the Djurdjura mountains to the Ahaggar Central region.
Geoheritage as a Tool for Environmental Education: Towards the Development of Sustainable Geotourism in Algeria – The Case of Tassili N’Ajjer
Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria's spectacular geological plateau, holds significant potential for sustainable geotourism and environmental education when integrated into school curricula. A study involving 500 students and 80 faculty from two universities revealed high student interest in geo-heritage but low formal instruction. Faculty expressed enthusiasm for integrating geo-heritage teaching but noted institutional support gaps. Tassili n'Ajjer was identified as an ideal location for educational tours due to its geological and cultural importance, suggesting that enhanced visibility of Algeria's geosites could foster more informed and responsible tourism, aligning with sustainable development goals.
Solar Reflection Geometry of the Great Pyramid of Giza: A Proposed Optical Alignment with the Richat Structure, Mauritania
A novel analysis reveals that the Great Pyramid of Giza's western face, when illuminated at a specific solar elevation (13.6°), reflects sunlight horizontally toward the Richat Structure ('Eye of the Sahara') in Mauritania with remarkable precision—deviating only 2.84° from due west. This alignment, calculated using spherical geometry and solar optics, suggests intentional optical design. Two ancient sites, Siwa Oasis (Egypt) and Tassili n'Ajjer (Algeria), lie along the same bearing between Giza and Richat, further supporting this hypothesis. The study proposes that these geometric relationships warrant physical investigation of the Richat Structure and its potential cultural or astronomical significance.
Discovery of New Fish Depictions in the Central Sahara (Tassili n'Ajjer Plateau – Algeria)
A new catalog of fish depictions from the Tassili n'Ajjer Plateau, Algeria, reveals the significance of fishing in Holocene Saharan subsistence. These images, re-examined using DStretch digital technology, provide clearer insights into the aquatic life and human activities of early inhabitants during a humid phase around 10,000 years ago. The study also revisits earlier depictions where species identification was unclear, contributing to a deeper understanding of this understudied topic.
Ancient Neolithic cultures in the central Sahara
The central Sahara's Neolithic period was remarkably ancient, paralleling developments in the Near East with significant advancements in pottery, agriculture, and animal domestication. Unlike the Near East, where these innovations are often attributed to complex social structures, the Saharan region's early adoption of pottery predates that of the Near East. Rock art emerges as a defining feature of this era, offering profound insights into Neolithic cultures. The Hoggar region, alongside Tassili n'Ajjer and Acacus, stands out as a crucial center of civilization, preserving numerous significant sites that attest to the region's rich cultural heritage.
Floral Ontogenesis and Embryogenesis Features of the Relic Wild Laperrine's Olive (Olea Europaea SSP Laperrinei) in Arid Central Sahara
A unique adaptation in the relic wild Laperrine's olive (Olea europaea subsp. laperrinei), endemic to Tassili n'Ajjer and Ahaggar, has been identified through detailed analysis of its floral ontogenesis and zygotic embryogenesis. This study reveals significant imperfections in the female gametophyte, often absent or lacking nuclei, suggesting an evolutionary response to extreme arid conditions. Unlike previous genetic and phylogenetic studies that focused on reproductive methods, this research delves into cytological and histological changes during early embryogenesis, providing new insights into the species' resilience and its potential as a genetic resource for cultivated olives.
On the presence of the African catfish Clarias anguillaris (Linnaeus, 1758) Siluriformes Clariidae) in south-eastern Algeria (Ifni-Illizi)
A significant discovery of the African catfish Clarias anguillaris (Linnaeus, 1758) in Guelta Ifni, Tassili n'Ajjer National Park, southeastern Algeria, was documented through experimental fisheries in August 2019. This finding expands the known distribution of the species on the African continent and updates the inventory of freshwater fish in southern Algeria. The study analyzed 16 morphometric variables and three meristic traits from two male specimens to confirm the identification, reinforcing its status as a Least Concern (LC) taxon on the IUCN Red List. This research contributes to broader biodiversity mapping efforts by providing new locality data for this widespread but understudied species.
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