Using A Gis For Mapping Land Use, Floral Richness, and Urbanization in the Peri-Urban Forest of Harouza (Tizi Ouzou, Algeria)

Abstract The peri-urban forest of Harouza, located near the city of Tizi Ouzou in Algeria, is currently facing significant preservation challenges. These wooded areas, crucial for the country’s ecological and socioeconomic balance, are experiencing increasing pressures of human and climatic origin. Rapid urbanization, forest exploitation, and the consequences of climate change have significantly influenced its ecosystem, leading to visible degradation. The repercussions include a noticeable decrease in forest cover, a reduction in biodiversity, and the emergence of degraded areas. To address these issues, our study relied on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These tools allowed for precise mapping of land use in our study area, revealing a total area of 201.5 ha. Most of this land is occupied by scrubland, a formation associated with forest degradation, covering 74.9 ha. The actual forest covers only 21.4 ha. The presence of 75 wild species, including 20 chamaephytes and 21 therophytes, reflects the disturbances experienced by this ecosystem. The use of multi-date images (2006, 2013, and 2022) over a 15-year period reveals a concerning trend of urbanization. Between 2006 and 2022, the low risk of urbanization decreased from 6.974 to 3.573 km, while the high risk increased from 0.753 to 3.528 km. This analysis of urbanization dynamics thus provides a detailed perspective on the most affected and potentially vulnerable areas.