Can butterflies (Lepidoptera) serve as effective bioindicators for assessing the health of Algerian cedar forests?

This study investigates the abundance and diversity of diurnal butterflies in two types of forest habitats - a degraded cedar forest and a protected cedar forest - located in Djurdjura National Park, Algeria. The survey was conducted over a one-year period, from April 2022 to March 2023. A total of 1,479 individuals, belonging to 48 species, were recorded. Among them, 13% are endemic to North Africa. The primary factor contributing to the degradation of the cedar forest in Djurdjura National Park appears to be repeated wildfires. Nevertheless, the clearings created by fire may temporarily promote floral diversity and, consequently, butterfly richness. The results reveal complex interactions between butterflies, habitat quality, and seasonal variations. No clear segregation was observed between butterfly communities in the two cedar forest types, although some species exhibited distinct ecological preferences: Celastrina argiolus, Zygaena algira, Tomares ballus, Zygaena trifolii, and Pyronia cecilia were more associated with the degraded cedar forest, whereas Pyrgus alveus, Zerynthia rumina, Pararge aegeria, and Issoria lathonia were linked to the protected forest. However, further analyses are required to confirm their status as reliable bioindicators. The study also demonstrates that butterfly abundance varies significantly with the seasons, peaking in summer, highlighting the critical influence of climatic conditions. These findings could contribute to the enrichment of protected species lists in Algeria and North Africa, as well as to the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services.