Impacts and effects of climate variations on the lake fetzara ecosystem (NE Algeria)
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-06-24
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Université Badji Mokhtar Annaba
Abstract
Lake Fetzara is located in the extreme northeast of Algeria (Fig. 1). It lies between four municipalities of the Annaba province, bordered to the north by the municipality of Draa Erich, to the south by Ain Berda, to the west by Berrahal, and to the east by El Hadjar. This lake is considered one of the most important in the region. It has been classified as a RAMSAR (international treaty that advocates the conservation and rational use of wetlands) site since 2003, which requires its protection, especially since 17,000 migratory birds representing 15 different species pass through this ecosystem each year. Around 8,000 of these birds are Eurasian wigeons, and 800 are white-headed ducks (a small duck species with a broad, flat, blue bill). This rich aquatic fauna and flora are now threatened by disappearance due to a lack of rainfall, leading to decreased water inflows to the lake, along with deterioration in its water quality.
Description
After observing the maps, we found the existence of a cause and effect relationship between precipitation and the water volume in the lake. The observed fluctuation in the water surface between inflows and outflows is linked to contributions from the surrounding mountains and the wadis (El Mellah, El Hout, and Zied) that flow into the lake. These inflows ensure the lake's sustainability.
It is evident that the lake's extent varies depending on whether the years are rainy or dry. This seasonal variability makes the lake particularly interesting due to the renewed mineralization processes that occur each season.
Keywords
ecosystem; climate; impacts; fetzara; algeria