Exploring The Contemporary Distribution Of Saharan Livestock: A Case Of The Oued Souf Region, Algeria

Résumé: To assess the current livestock situation in the Oued Souf region and map the distribution of po-tential species, we carried out a transect followed by an exploratory survey (Lhostev et al., 1993; Lesnoff, 2007; Boulassel, 2008). These investigations, carried out with 110 farmers over a period of eight months, revealed a remarkable diversity of livestock in the study area. Small ruminants dominate, accounting for 94% of total livestock across the different potential zones. Sheep, rep-resenting 58%, are mainly concentrated in Ben Guecha and Hassi Khalifa, while goats, representing 36%, are more widespread in Reguiba. Camels make up just 4% of the total livestock population. The Saharan herd has undergone a real transformation, evolving into a more diversified entity. This transformation is attributed to the resilience and ingenuity of breeders who have risen to the challenges posed by the Sahara's arid, harsh environment.

Publié dans la revue: Journal Algérien des Régions Arides