Managing rangelands: promoting native shrub species: Rhanterium suaveolens Desf: a keystone species critical to rangeland structure and functioning

Abstract

Rhanterium suaveolens is a desert plant endemic to North Africa and is best developed in parts of the sandy plains of the northern Sahara characterized by deep sierozem soils. Due to their attractiveness for various human activities (grazing, clearing, and extensive cropping), the steppe formations are threatened with extinction, despite their low palatability. In arid rangelands, the production of Rhanterium suaveolens can represent a great part of fodder production. It is especially valuable when accompanied by annuals following good rains, and is preferentially consumed during summer grazing, when it is among the preferred destinations of many herds of sheep, goats, and camels.