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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Tunisian ecosystems include forests, humid zones, littoral zones and steppes. Tunisia hosts 3,573 plant species and 2,244 animal species. There are a total of 362 bird, 63 reptile and 78 mammal species. The avifauna of Tunisia is spread throughout the territory and is considered one of the main indicators of biological richness and ecosystem health. Presently, there are 20 threatened bird species and one species, the slender-billed curlew, is facing extinction. Among the 14 protected mammal species, 10 are threatened with extinction. There are 239 vascular plant species at risk and 101 species facing extinction. Agricultural production is based on 4 principal agro-systems: tree farming, culture farming, grain farming and stockbreeding. Several threats to biodiversity include: increased pressure on agro-production to meet population needs, over-exploitation, climate change, and desertification.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Tunisia has established 24 protected areas. The country also established one Ramsar site and four Biosphere Reserves. The protected areas account for 2.5% of the total land area of the country.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The percentage of forest cover in Tunisia is about 12.6 %.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Tunisia’s National Biodiversity Strategy was completed and adopted in 1998. The general strategic goal of the Tunisian NBSAP is the conservation of its biological diversity. Under this goal a number of objectives have been identified, including the preservation of areas, ecosystems and elements of biological diversity not impacted by human activities; the restoration and rehabilitation of areas, ecosystems and elements of biological diversity being degraded; sustainable use of biodiversity, biological and genetic resources with economic gains; and restoration of equilibrium in the components of biological diversity. In order to achieve these objectives, 6 action programmes were defined whose principle aims are to: develop a system of generation and utilization of knowledge and information on biodiversity; limit genetic erosion; protect ecosystems; adequately manage ecosystems; integrate biodiversity in sectoral strategies; and establish an appropriate institutional and regulatory framework. These aims will be met through the implementation of specific actions for each category, such as: valuation of biodiversity elements; training for control agents of biodiversity protection; improving sustainable use of biological resources; and implementing a national program for in situ conservation.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part 1 (French)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan Part 2 (French)

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Tunisia, for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, has established a National Strategy and Action plan, which defines long and short-term goals, at all levels, for the conservation of biodiversity. Several programmes for improving the management of protected areas have been elaborated. These programmes also take into account the conservation of flora and fauna. Creation of new protected areas, which are currently in progress at an advanced stage, includes Orbata, l’Oued Dekouk (6000ha) and Zaghouan (2000ha). Several other priority actions include: the protection of inland waters and humid zones for fauna, and avian protection in particular; preservation of biodiversity in the forest, mountain, agricultural and littoral and coastal zones; creation of specialized documents for the level of educational institutions (e.g. glossary of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants); the setting up of a Gene Bank for the ex situ conservation of genetic resources; elaboration and implementation of several laws for the protection of the country’s natural and cultural heritage; and the rehabilitation of several degraded habitats. In addition, Tunisia is currently undertaking the actualization of its National Study and National Action Plan, which aim to take in consideration the news goals, thematic and cross-cutting programmes of the CBD and to contribute to achieving the 2010 target.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Tunisia has planned several short, medium and long-term actions that will aid in guaranteeing and effective conservation, in particular for wild species and their habitats. Efforts have been developed for: the establishment of studies to identify new criteria for the identification of potential protected areas; creation of new marine and terrestrial protected areas; implementation of legislation to improve and reinforce the management of existing protected areas; and the extension of existing protected areas.

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

Access to genetic resources is limited to those activities included in some bilateral and multilateral research and development projects in accordance with mutually agreed terms. Tunisia is adhering to the FAO International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources, which helps establish an international system for conservation and sustainable use of phytogenetic resources. This treaty helps reinforce national system of agricultural research and the implementation of the Convention.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Among the objectives of the research carried out was the evaluation of local genetic resources and the capabilities they possess. The programs established aim to: reinforce capacities to allow for small scale agriculture, not adapted to modern intensive practices; keep in place viable production systems based on local cultivars and valuate them; involve local communities in the decision-making process dealing with restrictive genetic technology. Several projects in Tunisia have been developed in order to encourage participation of women in socio-economic issues for improvement of quality of life, credit benefits, and grants for projects where sustainable use and conservation of biological resources are implicated.